Shows
First MovesEP. 33 | Crafting DARQ: Chocolate, Family & Bold Moves | Jorrit ConstenFrom a magician’s flair to a full-fledged chocolatier, Jorrit Consten’s entrepreneurial path is anything but ordinary. In this episode, we dive into how Jorrit turned a single workshop into DARQ—a boutique chocolate brand that now spans a café, hotel, ice cream shop, and more. A compelling story of creativity, resilience, and building with family.
2025-11-2146 min
First MovesEP. 32 | Coaching leaders to the Edge of Performance | Peter HolmarkExecutive coach Peter Holmark reveals what sets exceptional leaders apart—and how they stay grounded through complexity, pressure, and power. From energy management to cultural alignment, this episode is packed with real-world leadership insights and coaching tools for any leader aiming to level up.
2025-07-311h 03
First MovesEP. 31 | AI & Robotics in Agritech : Brightlands x EIT FOOD live event podcastDiscover how artificial intelligence and robotics are transforming the future of agriculture in this dynamic live event, hosted by Brightlands Greenport Campus and EIT Food. From precision farming to automation breakthroughs, this conversation brings together pioneering minds pushing the boundaries of agritech innovation. Tune in to hear how cutting-edge tech is transforming the way we grow, harvest, and sustain our food systems.
2025-07-031h 23
First MovesEP. 30 | Turning Research into Real-World Impact for Glaucoma Patients | Christian Bertens What happens after your PhD project fails in clinical trials? For Christian Bertens, it opened the door to a very different kind of success. In this episode, Christian shares how the challenges of his early research shaped his perspective and prepared him to co-found Peyeoneer—a startup developing a novel implant to treat glaucoma. From the realities of clinical failure in his PhD with eyedrop dispensing technology to navigating regulatory hurdles, building a team, and raising funding for his glaucoma treatment. Christian walks us through the raw, behind-the-scenes process of turning scientific insight into a ta...
2025-07-031h 03
First MovesEP. 29 | Vince Meens on Overcoming Business Failure and the Power of ResilienceVince Meens has lived through the full spectrum of entrepreneurship— founding & building successful companies, experiencing exits, and facing the pain of failure & bankruptcy. As well as personal challenges, ultimately landing him in a coma & even facing death. Doctors told his family he wouldn’t make it.But Vince did survive. And more importantly, he rebuilt. Over the course of three years, he persistently fought his way back—relearning how to eat, walk, and live again. In this powerful episode, Vince shares what it means to start over from absolutely nothing, how his coma dreams shaped his outlook, and wh...
2025-06-191h 15
First MovesEP. 28 | How Media is Powering Regional Innovation in Limburg | Stèphanie van Heuven van Staereling Stèphanie van Heuven van Staereling shares how Ondernemen in Limburg is transforming from a media platform into a vital connector in the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. From curating impactful stories to shaping strategic narratives, discover how storytelling is driving innovation across Limburg.
2025-06-0554 min
First MovesEP. 27 | From PhD to Medtech Venture with €160M in Funding | Martijn Cox How do you turn a PhD project into a medtech company receiving €160M in funding? Martijn Cox, co-founder and Head of Technology at Xeltis, shares the story of building a groundbreaking vascular implant startup from scratch. This episode explores the realities of deep tech commercialisation—from team building to scaling to market launch.
2025-05-2259 min
First MovesEP. 26 | Building a No-Nonsense Soft Drink Brand | Max Prop What started as a college project to help his mother has become a thriving soft drink brand. Max Prop, founder of Prop’s Brewery, shares how he built a no-nonsense drinks business, sells over 15,000 bottles a month, and develops custom flavours in collaboration with a variety clients.
2025-05-0855 min
First MovesEP. 25 | Building Medace: A Launchpad for Medical Innovation | Kurt GielenWhat happens when biomedical startups get a head start with built-in infrastructure, regulatory guidance, and hands-on knowledge? In this episode, Kurt Gielen, Chief Business Officer at Medace, shares how they’ve built a globally unique model that accelerates early-stage innovation in the life sciences. We dive into the origins of Medace, its one-stop-shop approach for clinical trial readiness, and how it's helping founders avoid common pitfalls by embedding quality and compliance from day one. If you're building in healthtech, this is a blueprint you’ll want to hear.
2025-04-2450 min
First MovesEP. 24 | Decoding the Future of Finance through Web3 and AI | Sunny Jiang Blockchain expert and Web3 pioneer Sunny Jiang shares how decentralisation and tokenisation could transform finance as we know it. From the United Nations to the UK and EU Parliaments, Sunny is helping shape the global future of tech and investing. She reveals how digital assets and emerging tech are reshaping investment and inclusion across continents.
2025-04-101h 02
First MovesEP. 23 | Mastering Workplace Communication with Practical Tools | Chris Fenning Award-winning author and TEDx speaker Chris Fenning has trained over 75,000 professionals—including teams at Google, NATO, and JP Morgan—in how to communicate clearly at work. In this episode, Chris shares practical tools to simplify conversations, bridge the gap between experts and non-experts, and make sure your message lands the first time. Whether you're managing up or navigating team dynamics, this episode is your shortcut to better workplace communication.
2025-03-271h 03
First MovesEP. 22 | Bridging People and Technology for a Thriving Ecosystem | Yanick Dols How do we bridge the gap between people and technology? Yanick Dols, Business Developer at Brightlands Smart Services Campus, shares how he creates buy-in using narrative, emotion, and rationality. In this episode, we explore how he supports startups, scale-ups, and the tech ecosystem to drive innovation in Limburg. From building communities to navigating the intersection of technology and society, Yanick sheds light on what it takes to create innovation on a provincial scale.
2025-03-1355 min
First MovesEP. 21 | Revolutionizing Mental Health Care For All With VR | Mike Verhiel Mike Verhiel, CEO of Psylaris, shares how his company is revolutionizing mental health care through VR-powered therapy sessions. From EMDR to exposure therapy and relaxation exercises, Psylaris helps therapists speed up interventions and reduce waiting times—making mental health care far more accessible and affordable. With +5,500 therapists, +850 organizations, and over 75,000 therapy sessions completed, the impact is clear. Mike also reflects on his turbulent journey from leaving a high-paying job to building a company that became one of the few Dutch startups accepted into Y Combinator, and beyond.
2025-02-2756 min
First MovesEP. 20 | Building a Thriving Startup Ecosystem in the Euregio | Predag Koncar How can a region transform into a powerhouse for startups? Predag Koncar, Head of the Startup Program at Maastricht University, shares his journey from game developer to founder in Augmented Reality and now a key player in building the Euregio startup ecosystem. Plus, an exclusive opportunity you won’t want to miss! If you're looking to launch or scale your startup, Predag has a special announcement that could change the game for you. Tune in to find out more!
2025-02-1350 min
First MovesEP. 19 | Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes at the Brightlands Startup Challenge Step into the world of startup competitions with this exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the Brightlands Startup Challenge. In this special episode, hosts Sebastian and [your name] take you inside the event, speaking with participants, winners, and jury members. Discover what it takes to compete, the driving forces behind innovative startup ideas, and the key criteria that determine who walks away with the prize.
2025-02-1048 min
First MovesEP. 18 | Building Bridges Between Youth, Education, and Impact | Hans HeijnenIn this episode, we dive into the inspiring story of Hans Heijnen, the founder of Soapbox. From his early days as a university student to leading a 50-person team, Hans shares the lessons he learned on his entrepreneurial journey. We explore how Soapbox is creating meaningful connections between youth, education, and organizations to drive real-world impact—and the funny, unexpected moments that shaped the company's story.
2025-01-3048 min
First MovesEP. 17 | How AI is Reshaping Business and Society | Thomas Übellacker In this episode, Thomas Übellacker, Co-founder and COO of Digicust, explores how AI is transforming industries and society. From automating customs clearance at Digicust to empowering organizations through Texterous, and fostering an AI-driven community at AIM to solve Europe’s pressing problems, Thomas shares actionable insights into AI's practical applications. We also dive into his journey into AI, coding, and his predictions for AI’s future impact over the coming decade.
2025-01-1652 min
First MovesEP. 16 | Cracking Supply Chains with Eggshell Innovation | Rong Wang Discover how Rong Wang, Co-founder and CEO of EGGXPERT, is reshaping the way we think about sustainability. From her journey as a biotech researcher to founding EGGXPERT, Rong shares how they upcycle eggshells into innovative solutions for industries like cosmetics, bio-fillers, and more. EGGXPERT is on a mission to create a circular industry by turning waste into value and disrupting traditional supply chains. In this episode, Rong discusses the challenges of transitioning from researcher to entrepreneur, the strategic pivots her team has made to align with market needs, and how partnerships have helped EGGXPERT scale their vision...
2025-01-0248 min
First MovesEP. 15 | From Intrapreneurship to Entrepreneurship: Falling in Love with the Problem | Jens Thies Jens Thies, Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer at Temple ORTHOBiologics, shares his journey from a university graduate to a leader in the biomedical science space and now entrepreneur. With over 20 years of innovation experience and 36+ patent families, Jens reveals the secret to successful innovation: falling in love with the problem, not the solution. Tune in for insights on collaboration, enjoying the process, and the transition from intrapreneurship to entrepreneurship.
2024-12-191h 07
First MovesEP. 14 / Closing a Business: Lessons from a Founder / Stijn Willemse Discover the often untold story behind closing a business with Stijn Willemse, founder of DIS-ORDER. In this episode, Stijn shares the journey of deciding to shut down a company that ran for three impactful years. Gain insight into how closing one door can open new opportunities and reshape a founder’s perspective for future endeavours.
2024-11-2848 min
First MovesEP. 13 | Building Success with Banking Innovation | John Janssen What does it take for a business to secure meaningful support from a bank? John Janssen of Rabobank’s Business Innovation Team Limburg shares how he guides companies in sustainability and healthcare, revealing what banks look for in a business and how founders can boost their chances of success. From insights into crafting a compelling business case to navigating lending requirements, John unpacks the secrets to building a strong foundation for growth and lasting impact.
2024-11-1451 min
First MovesEP. 12 | Championship Winning Culture: Building Teams in Sports and Business | Bart HendriksExplore the parallels between American football and business with Bart Hendriks, head coach of the national championship winning Maastricht Wildcats. Bart shares insights into cultivating team culture, respecting individual strengths, and instilling values that drive success on and off the field.
2024-10-3158 min
First MovesEP. 11 | Solving Water Scarcity with Genetically Modified Bacteria | Anirudh Rajesh Anirudh Rajesh, Co-founder and CEO of Aestuarium, is pioneering a solution to the global water scarcity crisis. By using genetically modified bacteria, his start-up makes desalinating seawater 5x more efficient and far more cost-effective than traditional methods. In this episode, we dive into Anirudh’s journey—from his passion for genetics to building a company that could help transform access to clean water for billions around the world.
2024-10-1041 min
First MovesEP. 10 | Building the Future of Content Creator Investment | Alexandre MartensIn this episode, we chat with Alexandre Martens, co-founder of Clipstake, a groundbreaking platform that allows fans to invest in their favorite content creators and share in the success of their ad revenue. Alexandre shares his journey from a childhood love of building to launching an innovative company that connects creators with their audiences in new ways. Tune in to hear his thoughts on the education system, his experience as a first mover, and his vision for the future of content creation.
2024-09-271h 01
First MovesEP. 9 / Curing Blindness with Stem Cells: Mitochondria, Art, and Motivation / Olga Kosjakova In this episode, we sit down with Olga Kosjakova from Recharging the Batteries to explore how their groundbreaking work is testing the use of stem cell treatments to help cure a certain form of blindness. Olga also shares her unique blend of passions as both an artist and a scientist and how her drive to create and learn keeps her motivated. Join us for a fascinating discussion about the intersection of art, science, and entrepreneurship.
2024-09-1947 min
First MovesEP. 8 / Supporting Social Entrepreneurship / Abel Diaz GonzalezIn this episode, we delve into the world of social entrepreneurship with Abel Diaz Gonzalez, Assistant Professor at Maastricht University. Abel discusses the importance of social entrepreneurship, the role of ecosystems in supporting these ventures, and the challenges faced by social entrepreneurs. Learn how his experiences across Latin America and a million euro project he started have shaped his views on using business as a force for good.
2024-08-2957 min
First MovesEP. 7 / Building an Innovative Value Driven Business / Sebastian NyrupDiscover how irritation sparked innovation for Sebastian Nyrup, founder of Unshackled. In this episode, Sebastian discusses building a value-driven team, navigating the rollercoaster of starting a business, and redefining success through experience. Learn how social media skews our perceptions and how he’s trying to build a business for long-term fulfillment.
2024-08-2242 min
First MovesEP. 6 / Building Support Systems for Action and Innovation / Marta Pareja BotoJoin us as we explore how Marta Pareja Boto, founder of Appipen, combines a personal drive for impact and her powerful support network to start and grow her various projects. Marta discusses the vital role of support systems (both formal and informal), her journey as a finalist in the Maastricht University Challenge, and innovative problem-solving in entrepreneurship.
2024-08-1549 min
First MovesEP. 5 / Bringing Sicilian Heritage to the Netherlands and Beyond / Giuseppe Di Rosa Join us in this episode as we chat with Giuseppe di Rosa, the founder of Sicilery, about his journey of bringing authentic Sicilian street food to the Netherlands. Giuseppe shares his story of starting in Maastricht, expanding rapidly, and his vision for making Sicilery an intercontinental food brand. We speak about juggling different responsibilities, overcoming obstacles, and shaping our definition of success.
2024-08-0855 min
First MovesEP. 4 / The Power of Vulnerability in Social Entrepreneurship / Stijn WillemseJoin us as we speak with Stijn Willemse, founder of DIS-ORDER, about using vulnerability as a strength to create social impact. Driven by past struggles with mental health, Stijn has built a clothing brand that sparks conversations around mental health which has sold its pieces across 17 countries. We discuss the importance of support, building the right team, and the unique challenges of being a social entrepreneur.
2024-07-2944 min
First MovesEP. 3 / From Classroom Idea to Prizewinning Start-Up / Elena Mallus In this episode, we speak with Elena Mallus, co-founder of Uni View, about transforming a classroom idea into a young start-up. Elena shares how Uni View helps new students find safe housing in the Netherlands, the importance of networking, and testing assumptions. Learn how they won multiple prizes at the Maastricht University Challenge and are making their first steps to expand their business and its impact.
2024-07-2235 min
First MovesEP 2. / Balancing Dreams and Reality in Entrepreneurship / Roy BroersmaRoy Broersma, Managing Director at Maastricht University's Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation shares his insights from years of experience in guiding start-ups to success. We discuss the 5 critical questions every founder must answer, the intersection of academics and business, and how he helps to both realise and kill business dreams for a living.
2024-07-151h 02
First MovesEP. 1 / Revolutionising the Clothing Industry with Creativity / Lily PepperWelcome to the inaugural episode of our podcast! In this episode, we speak with Lily Pepper, the founder of CiRCEE, to understand how she is revolutionising the clothing industry. Lily shares her unique journey and provides valuable insights into how creative and innovative thinking can drive change and make a significant impact.
2024-07-0851 min
First MovesEP.0 / Introduction to First MovesFirst Moves is a podcast by Sebastian Nyrup, founder of Unshackled, and Stijn Willemse, founder of DIS-ORDER and AURORI, aimed at enriching Maastricht’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. We interview entrepreneurs, researchers, and local organization representatives to share insights on starting, growing, and sometimes closing a business.
2024-07-0102 min