OKB helps entrepreneurial
Netherlands move forward!
About the Entrepreneurs Soundboard Foundation
The Entrepreneurs Soundboard (OKB) supports SME entrepreneurs and freelancers with practical, personal guidance. Our experienced mentors help you with questions about strategy, growth, finance, or restructuring.
You start with a free introductory meeting, where you can discuss your entrepreneurial question or challenge. After that, you can choose a six-month sounding board program for only €200.
Our mission and vision
We believe that every entrepreneur deserves an expert sparring partner – someone who truly understands what’s going on. Our mission: to empower entrepreneurs with independent advice. Our vision: an entrepreneurial Netherlands where knowledge and experience are accessible to everyone.
What we do
OKB connects entrepreneurs with a volunteer mentor who has extensive experience as an entrepreneur, manager, or specialist.
Together, you’ll work on your specific challenge, for example:
-
Growing or scaling your business
-
Gaining better insight into finances and operations
-
Support with debts or tax arrears
-
Guidance in closing or transferring your business
For €200, you receive six months of personal guidance, fully tailored to your situation.
Our mentors
Our mentors work on a voluntary basis, independently and without commercial interest. They bring decades of hands-on experience and come from diverse backgrounds – from business coaches to financial experts.
We work with 16 regional teams spread across the Netherlands, so you’ll always be matched with a mentor who knows your market and region.
For whom?
We are here for all entrepreneurs:
-
Starting entrepreneurs
-
Freelancers (zzp)
-
Growing scale-ups
-
SMEs with (personnel) challenges
-
Entrepreneurs with financial concerns or restructuring questions
The sector, size, or age of your business doesn’t matter – if you’re an entrepreneur, we’re here to help.
Partnerships that make an impact
We work closely with municipalities, industry associations, the Chamber of Commerce, Geldfit Zakelijk, and other social partners. Thanks to these collaborations, we can reach entrepreneurs faster, provide more targeted support, and contribute to a more resilient SME sector.
Why choose OKB?
- Get to know us and ask your first entrepreneurial question for free
- Extensive experience, practical business advice
- Guidance from experienced entrepreneurs who volunteer their time
- A non-profit foundation since 1980
The OKB team
Hans Klein Swormink
Meta van der Meer
Fred Nessen
Emmy van Montfoort
Hella Hendriks-Van den Burg
Juliëtte Bach
Hilde Westenbroek
Board
mr. Floris Oskam
Hendrik Kroeze R.A.
Ben van Elk
Sabine Fredriks MSc
Ambassadors
Jacco Vonhof
Em. Prof. dr. Bernard Wientjes
Aad Ouborg
Get your intake interview with an experienced mentor
Completely non-binding. After the intake interview, you decide whether you want to continue with the coaching process.
-
Personal advice from an experienced entrepreneur
-
Our mentors are independent and impartial
-
Free, no-obligation intake interview