How did you come up with the idea to become a REC Impact Fellow at UvA?

'We were looking for an environment where education, entrepreneurship and societal impact come together every day. REC Impact fits that perfectly.

Our model works best when we are physically positioned between companies, students, and lecturers. The Fellowship gives us direct access to knowledge, talent, and partnerships. This accelerates our mission to strengthen the link between education and industry.'

What was your first experience on campus?

'Our experience is that it’s an open and entrepreneurial environment. You immediately notice that ideas are tested and built here. The mix of researchers, students, and impact-driven organisations creates energy.

It does not feel like a traditional office. That matches how we work: practical, collaborative, and results-driven.'

What do you hope the Fellowship will bring you?

'We want to build long-term collaborations with academic programs, research groups, and SMEs. Concretely, we aim to develop more joint projects in which students work on real challenges from SMEs.'