Based in Eindhoven, the Dutch Silicon Valley, John van de Laar is a serial entrepreneur with a strong background in innovation, venturing, and venture capital. With an Economics degree from Tilburg University, he has led transformative business initiatives, lectured at top institutions, and serves as Chairman of the Orange Sports Forum, promoting youth sports and healthy living.

Giels is an avid collector of useless facts and gadgets. Who doesn’t love rocket skates? In his free time, he organizes holidays for friends, family and fraternities. Giels is a serial entrepreneur and transformed the football industry by bringing the Moneyball methodology to football at SciSports and has the goal to do the same in the innovation industry with Akela. His secret? Profound passion and joy.

David is a former computer hacker, who for the last decade has been the architect of several complex software systems in various industries. Proficient in several programming languages, and a linux power user since his youth. His goal is to further expand and refine the architecture of Akela. By combining new cutting edge technologies with those that are battle tested, he thrives for Akela to deliver products that become a benchmark for others to follow. David is a family man with a family van.

Give Erwin anything and he will instantly make it look smooth as butter. A 15-years experienced magician in design and software development, Erwin’s forte lies in knowing what you’re looking for before you do so. Crafting solutions that marry functionality with elegance, his designs remain intuitive and sophisticated. When crafting dishes in the kitchen there’s no chance for anyone in the room to beat him.

Driven by a hunger for technological advancements, Martin transitioned from working in the lab to startup scouting. Known for automating workflows, he will save anyone in the team tons of hours per week on repetitive tasks. Now, as an AI engineer at Akela, he’s poised to bring his expertise to reshape the future of scouting. On weekends there’s only one place where you will never find him: at home.

Driven by an insatiable curiosity and passion for innovation, Noah thrives in the dynamic world of startup scouting. Constantly learning about new topics and emerging technologies, he’s known for his critical thinking and diligent approach to evaluating opportunities. With a sharp eye for identifying the next big thing, Noah is always ahead of the curve. Outside of work, he’s diving into the latest tech trends, ensuring his knowledge stays as fresh as his scouting skills.

Roos is the numbers maestro at Akela, entrusted with overseeing financial administration and reporting. With her keen eye for detail, she maintains a firm grasp on the company’s financial health. Beyond her financial wizardry, Roos is known for her active lifestyle, sociable nature, and willingness to lend a helping hand wherever needed!

Roy brings fresh perspectives and a problem-solving mindset to every challenge. By combining technical expertise with strategic insight, he creates impactful solutions that drive growth and fuel Akela’s innovation journey.