Rob Ewalds is winner of the Lodewijk van der Grinten Prize 2024
Emiel Zeevenhoven wins Talent Award
During a festive evening at the Maaspoort, Rob Ewalds (Gaston Schul) was tonight declared the winner of the Lodewijk van der Grinten Prize 2024. This year's Talent Award went to Emiel Zeevenhoven.
The presentation of the Lodewijk van der Grinten Prize has become a leading event within the entrepreneurial community of Venlo municipality. An event where entrepreneurs and young professionals are given a stage and where the business community, administrators and other stakeholders from the region meet. The Lodewijk van der Grinten Prize emphasises the importance of entrepreneurship that is not only successful, but also makes an innovative and inspiring contribution to the Greater Venlo region.
Lodewijk van der Grinten Prize
This year's three nominated entrepreneurs were Rob Beurskens (Maashof), Fred Spijksma (GEBA Trans), Rob Ewalds (Gaston Schul). During the candidates' pitches, extensive company visits and a panel discussion, the jury members got a unique insight into the approach and vision of the nominees. Rob Ewalds managed to impress most convincingly with his innovative insights and strategies.
Inspiring evening
Presenter Vivian Lataster, now a familiar face at the Lodewijk van der Grinten Prize, guided the audience through the diverse and inspiring programme. The evening started with pitches from the nominated talents, after which the audience determined the final winner of these talents through a digital vote. The programme was visually enhanced by impressive laser shows, video presentations and interviews, with musical accompaniment by Scarcity. The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the prestigious Entrepreneur Award by Mayor Scholten of Venlo.
The artwork for the winner, a creation by renowned Venlo artist Suzanne Berkers, is a lasting reminder of this special recognition. In addition, both winners received a learning voucher from the hands of UMIO Maastricht University, as an incentive for further personal and professional development.
Winner Rob Ewalds
From the jury report: The entrepreneur in question has proven to be a visionary and decisive leader, who has achieved an impressive transformation within his company. A notable strength is his ability to make a seemingly 'boring' sector attractive and relevant. With a fresh perspective and strategic investments in AI and digitalisation, among others, he manages to position his company distinctively.
The theme of 'Re-thinking' is the common thread in his story: from creatively responding to the impact of the Brexit to developing new strategies that help his clients get a step ahead.
Talent Award to Emiel Zeevenhoven
This year, Emiel Zeevenhoven (IJsco Fantastico), Joni Sloesen (Restaurant Sober and Wijndomein Zavel) and Saar Gansner (Kloosterbrouwerij Steijl) competed for the Lodewijk van der Grinten Talent Award, an award for the leading young professional under 35 within the Venlo municipality. It became a neck-and-neck race, but the public vote ultimately determined the winner: Emiel Zeevenhoven.
From the jury report: "This young entrepreneur is an established face within his field and has had an impressive trajectory since starting his business at the age of 18. Now, 14 years later, there stands a solid and successful business that he has built entirely by himself with his own resources. His dedication, ambition and keen business acumen have made him a model of self-employment."
Partners and sponsors
Over the past few years, the Lodewijk van der Grinten Prize Foundation has built up a valuable network of a large number of partners, founders and sponsors. Thanks to this intensive cooperation and the broad support within the Venlo business community, the foundation is able to organise a professional and inspiring evening every year.
The prize is an initiative of the Lodewijk van der Grinten Prize Foundation, in which LLTB, MKB Noord-Limburg, Ondernemend Venlo and the Venlo municipality work together. The namesake of the prize is Lodewijk van der Grinten (1831 - 1895), the founder of the former Océ, now Canon Production Printing. This company has become one of the biggest economic forces in Venlo.
For more information on the Lodewijk van der Grinten Prize, visit the website: lvdgprice.co.uk
