Our team

Mario van der Toorn

Team Manager KTO

Mario van der Toorn

Hi! I am Mario with my legal and tax background I can be your guide on:

• The governance of your business
• Intellectual Property (IP)
• Liability
• Entrepreneurship

Florine Dams

Community & Event manager

Hey, my name is Florine! I am Coordinator, Business coach & Event manager at Mercator Launch. I have a background in marketing and my areas of expertise are:

• Validation & testing business ideas
• Marketing & event management

Ton Korts

Business coach

Hi, my name is Ton and I’m a business coach at Mercator Launch. With a trackrecord in sales and venture building. I can help you with:

• Value proposition
• Business Models
• Sales Strategy

Rob Groenendaal

Incubator Manager

Hi, my name is Rob and I just love coaching entrepreneurs at Mercator Launch. As a former entrepreneur, I will help you with:

• Entrepreneurial development & Team composition
• Validation & Market
• Funding strategy

Besides supporting startups I also like to spend my time in developing our incubator, together with our team, partners, stakeholders and all others who support innovative entrepreneurial minded people.

Andreas Huvenaars

Business coach

Hi, I’m Andreas Huvenaars, and I’m excited to be part of Mercator Launch. With 18 years of entrepreneurship from TU Eindhoven, I’m passionate about high-tech and building tech-focused companies. As a former entrepreneur, I now coach startups, focusing on:

• Entrepreneurial development & Team composition
• (Tech) Product development
• Funding strategy

Beyond startup support, I actively contribute to our incubator’s development, collaborating with our team, partners, stakeholders, and supporters of innovative entrepreneurial minds. In my free time, I enjoy bouldering.

Mathijs Buddingh’

Project Manager Science Park

Hi, I’m Mathijs. I am the project manager of the Science Park. The Science Park provides space for innovative entrepreneurs. It is the place where companies can grow to from Mercator Launch. We offer business space, facilities and a community.

I have a real estate background and you can come to me with questions about:

• business accommodation (both on and off campus)
• contacts and network with the Nijmegen business community
• contacts with the municipality of Nijmegen and other (government) parties in the region

Mustafa Acikyurek

Business developer AI

Hello, my name is Mustafa and I have an extensive background in strategy and business development for AI and technology ventures. Please reach out if need help with:

• Bringing AI innovations to market through startups and spinoffs
• Business Strategy and Entrepreneurship
• (International) Market development

Ed Koster

Business coach

My name is Ed! With my background in professional finance, I can help you with:

• Finances
• Lab & Office Space
• Networking

Jana Schneider

Content marketeer

Hi, I am Jana! As content marketeer at Mercator Launch, I am responsible for making catchy content! Besides writing blogs, I also keep myself busy with:

• Social media & website content
• Monthly newsletter
• Interviewing inspiring entrepreneurs

Ariadna Gergert

Assistent event manager

Hey there, I am Ariadna! I contribute to the coordination and implementation of various events at Mercator Launch. My responsibilities encompass:

• Event organization and planning
• Event marketing
• Evaluation and analysis of event success