Mark Goos (20), from Emmen, has released the new app VLNTR to ensure a good match between organisations and volunteers
By Redmar Bosma
The fact that entrepreneurship is not tied to an age, is demonstrated by the 20-year-old Emmenaar Mark Goos with his company VLNTR (volunteer). By means of a self-made app he hopes to ensure a good match between organisations and volunteers.
Goos started the company after he won first prize at the Young Business Awards for Students in 2017. “We were instructed to solve a social problem. I was reminded of an elderly center in Emmen, where they have a shortage of volunteers. And that problem is, of course, broader, ”says Goos.
The winning idea was to come up with an app that brings volunteers and organisations together in order to close the lack of volunteers. After winning the award, the rest of the winning group continued with their study. So it was left to Goos to took a break from completing his Marketing and Communication course and continue to develop the app. “My grandfather and grandmother are both sick and I am a caregiver. In addition to the fact that the number of volunteers is a social problem, this subject is therefore close to myself. “
This perseverance has proved to be a good choice. There are now 50 organisations affiliated with VLNTR, where more than 130 hours of volunteer work has been made. “Actually, things are going even better than hoped for. What also helps is that, for example, Drenthe College and Stenden University are connected to the platform. Students do volunteer work for their study programme through VLNTR. “
Goos is working hard to retain organizations. “This is how it often works when you are just starting out. VLNTR started in October 2017. I approach organizations from all kinds of sectors: healthcare institutions, events, community centers, sports clubs, you name it. They are looking for volunteers and are trying to find them via the app. ”
When starting his company, the Emmenaar was confronted with all kinds of new things. “That’s why it was great that I could start a coaching process by winning the award. You enter it completely blank. I am learning about earnings models, how to start a conversation and how to put down a good pitch,” he says. “Do I like all aspects of doing business? No, I don’t like the accounting part!. “
What he didn’t have to learn is entrepreneurship. That has always been with him, says Goos. “For example, when I was 17 years old, I organized a gala together with others for school, to raise money for a good cause. That went really well. In a short time we had received 4100 euros. I realised that having my own responsibility and doing business is something that suits me well. I get a lot of satisfaction out of it and I will definitely continue with this. In fact, I am just on track. ”
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