On the bike with Kim van der Leeuw
Interviews with Capital Tour XXL startups
Amsterdam is calling on all startups to get ready for Capital Tour XXL. This bike-tastic event let’s you visit investors at their HQ and ask them anything you need to know about getting capital.
Capital Tour XXL is part of Amsterdam Capital Week. Last year 2000+ startups visited the capital of The Netherlands to meet with over 500 investors during ACW. Tens of startups from all over the world used the week as an opportunity to visit the city, and dive into the world of startup investing.
We caught up with previous attendee from Amsterdam: Kim van der Leeuw. Kim is one of the founders of Wander, a navigation start-up which develops a wholly new approach to city exploration. Check out the questions I asked him about his experience and attendance last year.
- Who is Kim?
“Good question. I’m an energetic guy, that believes that the world we live in is a magical place. A place that deserves to be explored, experienced and preserved for the future. That has always been the leading theme in the things I do. I’ve been lucky enough to work on a wide range of things, from setting up a carbon project development firm to co-founding a high-tech solar lighting company, called Waka Waka.
Right now, my energy is focussed on creating a more philosophical impact with our start-up Wander. As an avid traveller, I love exploring a new place, a new city. The thing is that we might be living in the age of connection, but how often are you find yourself walking around a new city, staring at your screen instead of truly connecting to your surroundings? We build things that let you rediscover your world. Tools for explorers of the modern age.”
2. What did you like the most about Amsterdam Capital Week & Capital Tour XXL last year?
“The diversity in ideas, businesses and people. I learned a ton of things, from how people pitch to how they think about their business model. Also, the drinks at the end were great, and allowed for a more informal chat with some of the investors!”
3. What have been the coolest connection you made, and why?
“Actually loads of them. But the one that comes to mind is with David Beckett, who was in my tour group. He’s a pitch coach, and we had a great chat on our vision and way of presenting. Two months later, he was our pitch skills guru when we were selected for the Startup-in-residence incubator!”
This year David Beckett will host a pitch workshop prior to the event to get you ready to pitch your business to investors. He’s helped over 300 Startups raise millions in investment, and will give you the practical tools to nail your pitch during the tour — and any time you pitch in the future. Get your ticket here!
4. What tip can you give other European startups to make the Capital Tour XXL as valuable as possible?
“Prepare! It pays off to know who you are visiting, what their investment thesis is, their focus, and sweet spot. Also, look at the companies they have invested in before. But the most important thing is to just ask anything that comes to mind.”
Looking for funding? Join Kim 27 September 2016 & hop on your bike to meet investors at their HQs. More information: www.capitaltourxxl.com