Our Get Started programme, which helps first-time entrepreneurs move from idea to actual business in 10 weeks, has seen more than 200 entrepreneurs launch their venture. This post is part of an ongoing series where we profile the many different kinds of entrepreneurs that have been part of the programme, how they came up with their ideas and what they learned. Anxious to get started yourself? Check out www.getstarted.nl

Name: Wicher Jordens

Age: 25 years old

Background: Bachelor in Environment and Society Sciences, Master in Sustainable Business and Innovation

Lives in: Utrecht

Startup: Nudo Shopping

Hi Wicher, can you tell a little bit about your startup idea?

Nudo Shopping is a startup in package free shopping. We would like to integrate and facilitate package free shopping in common supermarkets via vending machines in stores. At these machines you can buy rice, pasta etc. in quantities of your own choice.  Besides, we are working on an adjustable food storage box called ‘Bulkie’ which you will bring with you to the store.

Why did you want to become an entrepreneur?

Being an entrepreneur gives you the freedom to be creative and follow your own path. Something you might not have in another job. That kind of freedom is really important to me.

Why did you want to participate in the Get Started programme?

Well, I saw it as a chance to really get started with the business. I wrote the business plan during my studies with fellow students. We had many ideas so the programme offered the opportunity to literally get started. And, because the startup is about less waste and more sustainability we were particularly interested in the CE track.

What have you achieved so far?

We made small steps but we’ve made a first prototype of Bulkie – the storage box – with a 3D printer which was really cool.  And we are currently busy with a market research under 1000 people to get to know our market better.

What is your dream with Nudo Shopping?

Our dream is that you can find a nudo shopping machine in every common supermarket and that doing part of your groceries package free becomes the standard.

What’s the best advice you’ve got?

A coach of the programme, Bituen Hidalgo, told me about the 100/100/100 challenge. This challenge has a 1000 competitors who are trying to reduce their waste in 100 days. Via this challenge we did a big part of our market research under the participants which was really helpful to test our assumptions and to improve our products.

What’s your advice to others who would like to start their own business?

Just go for it! And, market research is everything. If you don’t know your market you don’t know if you are doing the right thing.

Are you ready to launch your startup?! Applications for the 4th batch of our Get Started programme close on October the 9th! Apply now via www.getstarted.nl