Loet you are the person at MindLabs who has the ultimate overview of everything that happens within the ecosystem. How long has that been the case? And how did that come about?
MindLabs is a start-up; a company in the making. Then you go through all kinds of phases. My predecessor Frank Hermans created all the basic conditions for a healthy start-up and injected dynamism into the whole thing. In the two years or so that I have been the director of MindLabs, we have reached the stage where we are striving to achieve greater maturity in our collaboration. That's also how they came to me: for this part of the journey they were looking for someone who speaks the language of governance. MindLabs is already a success, but it only needs to become more so. So the right people are always being sought. Also in subsequent phases. Incidentally, I am not the only one with a total overview at the moment. Petra - my right and left hand - has the same overview. And for much longer than I have. She was already with the previous director, and perhaps with the next 16 as well. The common thread, you might say.

What have you seen change in the past 2 years?
A lot! The building is coming up; a very tangible change. We were even able to celebrate reaching the highest point recently. With that building we can show that we are there. We were already there of course, but this makes it even more concrete. In addition, the whole Spoorzone is changing every day. And we now have a Startup Kitchen for start-ups.You also notice it in the discussions within the board; we are now really in a different phase. We now have discussions about growth to more maturity. It's much more about making volumes in terms of projects and partnerships than it was two years ago. It's all very hectic and dynamic. And that's a good thing. Because in my view, limited growth or stagnation in the world of AI equals decline.

What exactly is your role in the MindLabs whole? What do your activities entail?
I keep an overview, connect and force breakthroughs. Because to make things really happen, you sometimes have to be a bit of a pain in the ass. I make lots of phone calls on a daily basis. And team meetings are the order of the day. In addition, I evaluate and discuss project proposals with Petra, after which they are submitted to municipalities or the state, if possible. I meet a lot, visit our partners, look for new opportunities and talk a lot to companies who want to know what we can do for them. The latter is interesting, but also challenging. Because it is often about open questions, which we have to turn into chocolate. With the help of our partner companies, who are still pioneering themselves

How does the MindLabs team describe you, do you think?
I think I am seen as someone who has it in him to connect. And when needed is also very direct. I think in my role you shouldn't be too shy and you should dare to put your finger on the problem. But I also believe that they see me as a person who talks easily to different parties; I understand many languages. On the other hand, sometimes people might miss the far-reaching knowledge about AI a bit with me. I have been a civil servant or administrator all my life. AI is therefore not my expertise. Of course, as you grow as a company, the need for a director with more relation to the subject may also increase.

With what to do's on the schedule do you go to work whistling?
We are always working against deadlines and it is always hard to meet them. But when we finally do and an application is accepted, I think that's a kick to say the least. That is the final phase of searching and sniffing each other out. If something like this is planned, I set off with a smile on my face. I have the most fun when things really work out. But a good event can also give me a lot of energy. Because you know: meetings are going to take place there. And beautiful ideas will arise. Things you can't predict. That is great. I really miss those events, especially in corona time. No matter how much we try, Teams can't replicate such a real meeting. Physical events are the source. That is and will continue to be really where it all happens anyway.

And what do you especially like to outsource?
I think the basis of a company should be in order. But I'm not very good at putting and keeping things in order. Planning things, administration, keeping track of finances, communication; all things I like to outsource for that reason. We are a small club. And so, in addition to our core business - developing innovative things - a relatively large number of other things have to be done. But by outsourcing certain things, I can focus on new developments myself.

What do you want to achieve with your work? What is the ideal product of your efforts?
That's not a physical product, but a phase. MindLabs has a lot of appeal. Because of the good name, the flashy Spoorzone, the environment, our cooperation with knowledge institutions, you name it. We are doing well. But my dream is to grow from pioneer to scale-up. To reach the next phase. So that we go a little faster and everything runs more smoothly. We are still running too much stationary right now. I want to go to first or second gear.

Slow but steady or straight to your goal?
If you ask me personally, I say: explode or die. The sky is the limit. There is no point in babbling on a bit, especially when it comes to a subject like AI. The municipality of Tilburg is also one of those who push the envelope. Just look at the new MindLabs building. A risk, because for a long time it seemed difficult to find enough tenants. But now it is packed! And if the decision was made tomorrow to put two more floors on top, they would be occupied too. I know that for sure! Still, the MindLabs board generally sees more in organic growth. Slow but steady. Because otherwise we might overeat ourselves. So we faithfully go for that approach. Although that doesn't mean that there aren't discussions now and then. My dream is and remains that one day MindLabs will explode. The roof off! So that's what I keep pushing for.

There have been quite a few MindLabs highlights in recent years. What's your personal favorite?
The Region Deal. 5 big projects with prominent names have come out of that. Of course it's not necessarily about the scale of such a project; I also think things initiated by small entrepreneurs are great. But the Regio Deal has turned out to be a great showcase for us. It allows us to show in a very broad way what we can do. And we all benefit from that.

How do you celebrate such a moment?
Always with our partners. And often during an event. A studio meeting, for example. With a snack and a drink. Or by giving someone the stage. You can never celebrate enough. It doesn't have to be a polonaise, but I do think it's important that our partners know they are valuable. That is why we always make a point of signing a new partnership. And parties are of course a good opportunity to make new connections. Don't bullshit, but make contacts, so to speak. That's how the circle comes full circle

And what highlights are likely to happen in the near future?
We have a couple of new projects coming up soon for which we will be organizing events. And there are some more project proposals in the pipeline. So a lot of potential highlights. In addition, in mid-2022 our new building will be opened. Including a renovated Startup Kitchen. I hope that in that way we can really hear the Bruisend Hart beating. In our own living room.

We are going to finish. Then you can move on too. What's next on your list? The next meeting? Or will it be a cup of coffee or something stronger?
Although I always feel the need for something stronger, now is actually just a little too early for that. First I'm going to talk to all sorts of people about the next phase of MindLabs development. And work on proposals with which we can make the ecosystem grow. After that, maybe an espresso; after all, that's strong stuff too....