From Student to Entrepreneur: Creative Business Alumni Launch Promising Start-Up
What began as a pitch for a fictional Dragons’ Den assignment during a Creative Business course has since grown into a serious business venture. Alumni Niclas Brinkmann and Isaak Siebenga transformed their joint study project into the start-up ForSURE, a company focused on automating producer responsibility through smart software solutions.
In the second year of their Creative Business degree, Brinkmann and Siebenga collaborated on a business idea that they presented as part of the Entrepreneurship module. Their concept was well received and led to a nomination in the ‘Future Student’ category of the ADCN Dutch Creativity Awards. Although they did not win, the experience laid the groundwork for a future collaboration.
ForSURE: From concept to Software Solution
The actual launch of their business followed shortly thereafter. While working part-time, Brinkmann identified a recurring issue related to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), a policy requiring companies to take responsibility for the entire lifecycle of their products. Together with housemate Daniel Hamandouche and later Siebenga, he developed a software tool that simplifies and automates these obligations. This marked the birth of ForSURE.
Education as a Foundation
The Creative Business programme provided both entrepreneurs with the tools to apply their creativity strategically. “The programme helped us to think critically and solve problems creatively”, says Siebenga. Students follow a broad and flexible curriculum, including modules such as Brand Strategy, Digital Circularity and Navigating Wicked Problems. The course encourages entrepreneurship and innovation, allowing students to shape their own learning path. Outside of the classroom, students are also offered opportunities for development through competitions, networking events and mentorship from lecturers with substantial industry experience. “That combination of theory and practice really helped us to build a solid business idea", Brinkmann explains.
Looking Ahead
ForSURE is currently onboarding its first major client and entering an exciting growth phase. Brinkmann and Siebenga remain optimistic about the future: “Thanks to our studies, we gained the confidence and skills to turn an idea into a working product.”
