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

Names: Veerle Rigter & Roxanne Kiel

Background: both studied architecture at University of Delft

Startup: Studio Davero

What is Studio Davero?

Veerle: Studio Davero is a sustainable design studio. We try to design smart, by looking at what is already available so we can optimize value. That could be anything; materials, knowledge, space… you name it. We try so by designing to achieve five principles: optimal use of space, time and money, optimize social opportunities and minimalize environmental impact. That fits into a circular economy.

How did you came up with the idea to start this design studio?

Roxanne: We both applied for a contest where the case was to design furniture for a travelling festival caravan. We build a sustainable lounge (Mix & Match Lounge, red.) and won the contest. Then afterwards we started to visit festivals with the caravan. There, we discovered that people where actually interested in our furniture, asked us ‘where can we buy it?’ ‘Can we rent it?’. That’s when we decided we should try to make a business out of this.

When did you decided to work together?

Roxanne: We’ve met each other on the second day of the introduction week for university in Delft, like 6 years ago. But the moment we decided to work together…

Veerle: Well, that was on a rainy sunday evening in the supermarket in Delft.. haha

Roxanne: Haha, indeed. And we both were a little bit cranky.

Veerle: Yes, we were cranky because we wanted to follow a certain course where you could really build things because that doesn’t happen very often at university. But, when I started the course it became clear that you couldn’t make any of your designs and that it was mostly theory again…

Roxanne: Then we accidentally met in the supermarket that evening and said to each other ‘how stupid isn’t it, about that course.. blabla’

Veerle: And; ‘did you see that poster of that design contest, looks nice’ And so we decided to compeet in the contest together and resulted in Studio Davero.

In what kind of stadium is Studio Davero at the moment?

Both: an upstarting phase.

Roxanne: We came here with the product, the sustainable lounge. But, we didn’t have any experience or whatsoever with entrepreneurship, sales or business.

Veerle: Yes, so the Get Started programme introduced us to the business jargon haha.

Roxanne: There are many things we need to think about. Many dilemma’s, for example, do we want to set up our own rental service or do we want to outsource it and focus mostly on the design part.

Veerle: But we are working on it and decided to keep up with a new design.

What will you remember most from Get Started?

Veerle: That we had a lot to learn, mostly about business jargon and terms haha.

Roxanne: But also the enthusiasm of all the other participants, of your peers. Everybody is happy to help. It is a group of ambitious people who are all willing to realise their own dreams. That is really inspiring and helpful.

Want to know more about Studio Davero and their designs?  See www.studiodavero.nl

Are you ready to launch your startup?! Applications for the new batch of our Get Started programme close on September 11! Apply now via www.getstarted.nl