IMPALA Partner GOAL3 appears on Dutch TV show
Niek Versteegde and Jelle Schuitemaker from Den Bosch can give themselves a round of applause: the two appeared on a TV program Dragons' Den to secure an investment for their start-up. Although that did not work out, the duo has a nice return: a benefit gala.
The concept of the TV show Dragons' Den is simple: budding entrepreneurs are looking for investors. They pitch their company to the 'dragons'. These are five successful Dutch business people with a large bank account. Each participant who pitches his or her idea tells how much money is needed and what percentage of the shares the dragons will receive in return. When the dragons are interested and foresee success, they pull their wallets and invest in the company.
Tropical doctor in Tanzania
Niek and Jelle went to the television studio to ask for money for their project 'Goal 3'. This start-up focuses on the prevention of infant mortality. Niek came up with the idea when he worked as a tropical doctor in Tanzania in 2015. He set up an incubator unit there and tells about it in the program: “A baby was born prematurely. I got him through a critical period that made him survive. The baby was named after me. That was a very special experience. Only then did I really realize what it means to make an impact. ”
Niek also saw the other side of the coin. “No matter how hard I worked, the infant mortality rate remained ten times that of the Netherlands. The problem was the shortage of personnel and the right equipment. ”
Save a million children
Together with Jelle and others, Niek developed a monitoring system that allows him to keep a closer eye on patients, without the need for more people. By means of algorithms in the system, critical conditions can be detected more quickly so that the patients can be treated. This appears to work: according to the Emma Hospital, one million children can be saved every year.
Niek: “Our ambitions are very high. We really want to make an impact and the only way we can do that is if we invest more to be able to take the next steps.” That is why the duo is asking for an investment of five hundred thousand in exchange for ten percent of the shares. With the amount, Niek and Jelle want to further develop and produce the device.
Benefit gala
Dragon Pieter Schoen finds it a difficult proposal. Pieter: “I think it's amazing that you are here. It's a great idea, but I hate to invest in something that is so necessary and achieve a commercial purpose.” But Pieter proposes that the five dragons organize a benefit gala where Niek and Jelle can sell their tables. “The five of us have an enormous network and can organize a great party. That way you will rake in a lot more money and you will not lose any shares. ” Although it is a different deal than the Bossche duo had in mind, they are very happy. "We are honoured."