ONE WEEK ABOUT Driving Dutch Design
ONE WEEK ABOUT Driving Dutch Design by curators Marsha Simon (BNO) and Katja Lucas (DDF)
Driving Dutch Design (DDD) is a program of ABN AMRO, Beroepsorganisatie Nederlandse Ontwerpers (BNO) and Dutch Design Foundation that helps talented designers get started in the world of entrepreneurship.
In general, entrepreneurship is not always in the designer’s blood. Certainly not from the young designer. They do not think commercially of origin and often start their business without a business plan, based on passion. In a possible (future) business plan, many designers are already satisfied when at least their own life needs can be met and they can fully dedicate themselves to their creativity. While the business plan of the average entrepreneur as result is a revenue model to look forward to growth and (later) possibly to be able to pay staff.
For eleven months, 21 design start-ups commit themselves under the personal guidance of an ABN AMRO coach, to a series of master classes provided by DDD’s knowledge partners in areas such as profiling, financing, management, presentation and communication. The route starts after a pre-selection in December. The closing will take place in October during the Dutch Design Week where they present themselves to potential clients during the ‘Drivers Pitch Event’. During this event we bring the creative closer to the entrepreneur and vice versa! 1 + 1 = 3. This includes a publication in which the experiences of all participants are included. And an exhibition where their products / services are presented.
Thanks to the joint network and the ready knowledge of the partners, designers can get the necessary business insight early on in order to subsequently develop their independent professional practice in a healthy and successful manner.