In the “Meet the Board Member” we profile a member of our ScaleUpBoard alumni community. Today we are speaking with Class 10 alumni,  Dave Dijkhuis!

Dave is a ScaleUpBoard Class 10 alumni with over 20 years of experience as a growth leader and managing director who has worked with companies such as Siloxene, Shell, ING, and EP Minerals. With an education in chemistry and a background in business, Dave has a unique skill-set that enables him to bring innovative technology to international markets.

When Dave is not acting as a strategic advisor for exciting, inventive scale-ups, you can find him rowing with his rowing team in his free time.

Learn more about Dave and his experience in the ScaleUpBoard program below!

Meet… Dave Dijkhuis

 

What is your headline? 

International Growth Leader | Process Industry

What are you passionate about professionally?

I am passionate about launching and growing new products and technologies in the international process industry. I love working with creative minds and innovators who are at the forefront of new technologies. Using my background in chemistry and business I help them apply and make profits from these innovations.

What are your insights on board effectiveness that you received from going through the program? 

The most important insight I took away from the program was that team dynamics and interpersonal relationships are important. This is true in any company, however especially in scale-ups due to their small team size.  In this regard, I found the business cases led by Jan Paul Grollé and the resulting group discussions very insightful because the group work in the program required us to work with other participants with diverse professional backgrounds. Thus recreating the dynamic of being on the board of an actual scale-up.

How do you want to add value to a board?

I have 20+ years of international experience in the process industry (chemicals, minerals) in commercial/technical leadership roles driving innovation. This would be valuable for a scale-up in the process industry, new materials, and chemicals. My enthusiasm and passion for innovation is a also nice addition!

If you are on or have been on a board, how did you encounter the opportunity?

Through my network, I was contacted by the start-up Siloxene (Switzerland), which made an exciting invention and is now launching a cutting-edge platform of new chemical products. I am supporting them as a strategic advisor for commercial strategy and launch across international markets. I am open to supporting similar innovative scale-ups in an advisory role.

What is the best piece of advice some gave to you?

Leave your ego at the door. If you want to build a team that thrives with positive energy, creativity, and mutual trust, then there is no place for big egos. Instead, be humble and use your time for listening and collaboration.

What do you want your impact to be through your work?

I believe in new technologies in energy, food, and materials to make the world more sustainable and ultimately create a better future. I want to contribute by supporting companies with this mission in their development, launch, and international growth.

Want to learn more about Dave? Connect with him here!

Scale your impact as a board member

The next ScaleUpBoard class is kicking off on November 24th in Amsterdam. You can find all of the details here. Get in touch with Jacqueline to save your seat:

Jacqueline van der Heijden

+31 6 55212519
jacqueline@scaleupnation.com

Learn more

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