Academic Business Club

This week we spoke to Sander and Sophie from the Academic Business Club. Although this is not officially an association, they do organise extremely valuable events and we can cautiously state that the ABC functions as an entrepreneurs' network. Every month, they organise evenings with inspiring speakers. Is there an entrepreneur in you? Do you have a great idea for a start-up? Then the ABC is probably something for you! Read the blog for more information.

WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT IS YOUR FUNCTION AT THE ABC?

"I am Sander and I am Community Manager. This is a new position that was created last year. They did this because - despite the fact that we are officially a foundation - we are growing quite fast. For that reason, we do try to achieve continuity and regular visitors. A 'support base', so to speak. We also want to organise more events with other associations. These are things that I take up."

"My name is Sophie and I am Marketing Manager. That means that I mainly manage the content on social media and the website, but I also make sure that we get more brand awareness. I try to promote that as best I can."

"Everyone works part-time with us. We help each other a lot and take over many things from each other. That makes the work very diverse. It's an interaction and we look at what everyone is good at."

WHAT DOES ABC MEAN?

Sander is quick to tell us: "A network organisation for the entrepreneurial student! ABC means 'Academic Business Club'. Basically, we have an 'ABC Night' every month, where we invite two speakers and have a networking drink afterwards. This is normally done physically. It is for students who have an affinity for entrepreneurship, but do not really have an outlet for it. Something was missing where the entrepreneurial student could come together, and that is why ABC was born. That is what we are trying to do. In addition, of course, we have 'The Road Symposium'."

WHAT DOES AN ABC NIGHT LOOK LIKE?

Sophie says: "The evening starts with a walk-in. Everyone is still chatting to each other. Then we start with the speakers. These are often inspiring speakers. After that the networking reception really starts. All this takes place at Station88 in the Spoorzone.

WHICH PEOPLE ARE ALL INVOLVED IN ABC?

"We are busy setting up something new. Because officially we have no members, we would like to have a 'regular group'. These include our committee members, but we also often see the same faces at the ABC nights. We are also looking into setting up a committee that starts in the winter. We often get questions from people who only get to know us during the year, but still want to be more involved in the club.  

Sophie points out: "It's mainly a very large network of entrepreneurs. We know a lot of people who come to speak at events. In addition, many former board members are starting their own businesses. That also makes it a strong entrepreneurs' network." 

"In any case, we are always accessible. Check out our instagram or send a message and ask what's on. Almost all of our events are free to everyone. So you're basically always welcome."

WHAT IS 'THE ROAD SYMPOSIUM' LIKE?

"It is actually an ABC Night XXL. The main thing is that the speakers are a lot better known. We have noticed that this has been going really well in recent years. For example, the founders of CoolBlue and Rituals have visited. These are names that people really know. More and more visitors are coming. It is also the largest entrepreneurial symposium in the south of the Netherlands.

WHAT ARE THE AMBITIONS OF VISITORS TO YOUR EVENT?

Sophie: "To start their own business, of course! Usually they already have an idea, but they don't know exactly how they want to start. It also happens that they have already started, but they want to get to know more people."

Sander adds: "Some are also really looking for a sparring partner. We really do create a nice environment for that. There is a very entrepreneurial culture at the 'ABC Night', for example. You can get tips and test your ideas there."

"There are also a lot of diverse people who come to the events, which makes it really cool! Of course, most of them are economics majors, but there are also a lot of other studies. Entrepreneurship is of course not necessarily linked to a study."

WHAT IS YOUR LINK WITH TILBURG?

Sander indicates: "In Tilburg we do have a bit of a weakness for entrepreneurship. There are many small parties that do something with it. In that respect, everyone looks at us positively. I think Tilburg is very accessible for SME companies. The creative aspect is also well exposed."

WHERE ARE THE GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES?

"We could really use some more brand awareness. In addition to the fact that we have good contacts with the university, we could reach even more people at HBOs, for example. People at HBOs are often unaware that there is a possibility for such events. We can still make a lot of progress there.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO WITH UNLIMITED RESOURCES?

"Get Elon Musk to come to the Netherlands! He would be on 'The Road', because he really embodies entrepreneurship! We would like him to speak at the Willem II Stadium. It would then be cool to put down a really big event."

Take a look on the site of the Academic Business Club in order to obtain more information!