With their company MoneyBird, Edwin Vlieg, Joost Diepenmaat and Berend van Bruijnsvoort have won the Van den Kroonenberg prize. The prize was awarded by Gé Klein Wolterink, board member of the Universiteitsfonds Twente, during the 2015 Innovation Lecture.
MoneyBird has developed software with which small entrepreneurs and independents can easily keep their books, send invoices and fill in tax forms. This small company, that the entrepreneurs established during their study, identified a niche in the market that had been occupied up to that point only by large parties with complicated products. They responded to this with aplomb. The company now has a large customer list of thousands of entrepreneurs.
"MoneyBird has simplified a complex problem for entrepreneurs", said Klein Wolterink in his explanation. "It's a no-nonsense company and their approach to the market makes them unique. They work together closely with their customers in order to ensure that the product aligns precisely with what the customer is looking for. The entrepreneurs from MoneyBird are still closely involved with the University of Twente. They are guest lecturers and are involved in networks for entrepreneurs, for example".
Universiteitsfonds Twente
The organization of the Van den Kroonenberg prize is in hands of the Universiteitsfonds Twente. The fund has a long history which dates back to 1948, and has since contributed in different manners to new developments and additional support for the academic community. The fund contributes by supporting, for example, Chairs, scientific conferences, scholarships and excellence awards.
The Van den Kroonenberg prize for young entrepreneurship is awarded to an entrepreneur with a demonstrable link to the University of Twente who has distinguished himself in a particular way. The prize is a tribute to the former Rector Magnificus prof. dr. ir. H.H. van den Kroonenberg, who committed himself particularly at that time to encouraging new entrepreneurs from the University of Twente. The prize consists of a cash award of € 4,500, a certificate and an award created by Mohana van den Kroonenberg.
