Thijs, to get straight to the point: what is the core business of IoTIdea? 
I work on the Internet of Things (IoT). In short: more and more devices and sensors are connected to the Internet. And I develop such sensors and connect them. I try to help governments and businesses with this. By monitoring the number of visitors to events, for example. Or the number of badgers or foxes that use a specific tunnel. 

What is your dot on the horizon? 
Last year I started as an entrepreneur. At the time I was still half paid, but now I am slowly reducing that work. After all, I want to become fully independent. Because in IoTIdea everything I find interesting comes together. My second goal is to eventually manage the sensors I develop myself. There are a few outside, with solar panels and cameras. Now, if a badger licks one of those cameras, it needs to be washed as soon as possible. It would be nice if I could find a partner for this, employ someone, or just go into the field by myself.

Out of ambition? Idealism? Or passion? 
What I notice: very often choices are made based on habits or feelings. But I think it's better to measure things than to rely on gut feelings. I have always been fascinated by technology. I was already turning all kinds of knobs and taking electronics apart at a very early age. Later I also started repairing things. And it's no coincidence that I studied physics and did research on solar panels. Measuring predictions, dealing with new technologies, protecting nature reserves and being outdoors - just about all of my passions combined. I find projects on the cutting edge of technology and ecology the most interesting. Research into bicycle forecasts for dune management, for example, are great things to do. Or collecting data on visitor flows to and from the Formula 1 circuit. You can't make me happier! 

How are you connected to MindLabs? 
IoTIdea is a start-up partner of the ecosystem for at least the next 2 years. I'm going to dedicate x number of hours a year to MindLabs, including giving presentations.

And how long have you been in the family? 
Just recently. Since February of this year. 

What is the holy grail in this collaboration as far as you are concerned? 
Sharing the network. I am not originally from Tilburg and therefore do not have such a large network here. So a collaboration with MindLabs is ideal. But the ecosystem also shows what is currently going on in society; it gives a good picture of current issues. You can then respond to them together. And I find inspiring each other extremely important.

And what will it bring you in the meantime? 
I actually think that network sharing in particular has already begun. There was a lot of MindLabs exposure for my company last month. I have already made some nice contacts.