Suzanne Meyer

 Co-Founder & Managing Director at SportSquare B.V.

My experience and deep interests:

• Community & Ecosystem Building

• Entrepreneurship

I am based in: Amsterdam

I was referred to THNK by Mark Vernooij.

I am Irish, having studied in Germany, Switzerland, France and Singapore, and have worked in Germany and the Netherlands with responsibilities during my Corporate career in Western Europe and Asia. My EMBA took me to Silicon Valley in 2010 and was the tipping point that led me to leave my Corporate Career for the Start-up/Entrepreneurial World.

Having fully immersed myself in both the corporate and start-up world, I have gained many practical insights. Experiencing how the start-up is struggling to build and scale, whilst large corporates are struggling to think and execute more like start-ups with respect to innovation and agility. I am Co-Founder and CEO of SportSquareand have had ample opportunity to apply me belief that - when there is a crisis, look for the opportunity.

Following tragic events in 2015, I took a sabbatical in 2016 and traveled around the world. This brought me a backpack full of new adventures, encounters, and insights.  During my travels I also visited many children’s homes, schools, orphanages and had in depth discussions with university students in different parts of Asia. There are different ideas bubbling on what I can do to help, which I want to explore during my studies at THNK.

I enjoy new initiatives and complex projects. At the same time I believe our expectations and technology are adding so many challenges to peoples lives, that it is important not to forget the basics. Focus on the core - in relationships, products, services and do not get distracted with too many add-ons that can be fun for some, but alienate many. We are accelerating and whilst I get energy from being part of that acceleration, my travels have reminded me that many are not equipped or able for the fast lane. As a Chinese philosopher once said "Less is more, more is less".