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Ruud Veltenaar: future thinker- and creator

Trend watcher…?
Sure, but TTLY DFFRNT

“We would you do,
if you were not afraid?”

Much more of a future thinker than trend watcher

I am much more of a future thinker and -creator than a trend watcher or futurologist. As a scientivist, I am much more of a progressor than a futurologist. As a philosopher, I think about a world in transformation to the next stage of our civilization and the marker point where we now stand as humanity. In my work as a speaker, trend watcher, writer and educator, I reflect on key trends and developments, and translate them into impact on our lives and work. Philosopher, future thinker and trend watcher: a unique combination that sparks a unique experience.

What track do we choose towards the inevitable and irreversible: the world we all long for? A better world, with a more sustainable environment and greater equality and justice. A world we all long for and can create ourselves!

If most major problems are caused by people, then surely we are the solution? But it takes more than exponential technologies, billions of new trees, thousands of windmills and other utopias of ecomodernists and singularists. It requires a MEXIT [thanks Thomas Rau]: an exit from our way of thinking – our Mindset. It doesn’t just have to be smarter, faster and more sustainable; above all, it has to be more humane and less so. A lot less.

The future does not fit in a nutshell and a vision of key trends and developments goes beyond a parade of technological gadgets or the hobbyhorses of mainstream trend watchers and ecomodernists. In my inspirements, as a future thinker and trend watcher, I provide clarity about our future and offer concrete hope for a more sustainable world and resilient society.

I encourage people and organizations to become even more aware of the enormous challenges we face as humanity. I reflect and interpret the future and show the connections. This creates clarity, insight and a strong desire for a better world. And also for vital solutions to serious problems, which of course are at hand.

Technology does not solve everything and even creates new challenges. Sustainability is the only direction, but not a cure for all problems. We will also have to change ourselves. In our thinking, doing and not doing. What we eat and how we travel. Why we work and what we want to mean for other people. And that’s not easy, because people can change but don’t want to be changed.

Of course you can be the change you want to see in the world. But to make a real impact and difference we need to connect our desires and ambitions. And from this desire-retanglement into action. In radical interdependence. For the common good: The profound purpose.

Trend watcher or futurologist?

Our future does not fit in a nutshell

My inspirements, books and other publications are different and go a lot further than the average trend watcher or futurologist. Of course, I also talk and write about exponential technologies and translate them into the impact on our lives and work. Who doesn’t? But I’ve also managed reputable high-tech companies. And even founded and successfully sold a few to KPN, BMW and Black Rock. I don’t just talk about it, I practice it.

Furthermore, I situate trends and developments in a much broader social and societal context. That makes sense with my background as a philosopher and scientist. Technology and ethics? Artificial Intelligence and inclusiveness? Internet of Things and security? Smarter is good and faster is good. But more Human in Great!

So I am not a technology fetish with a sensor in my neck. I am, however, a humanist who believes that scientific and technological progress should serve humanity and our planet and not just make a few Silicon Valley billionaires even more billionaires than they already are.

Vital solutions for tomorrows world
Innovation, technology and ethics
Future of sectors and markets

Ttly dffrnt

Trend watcher for a unique experience

As a trend watcher and future thinker, I speak about our world in transformation to the next phase of our civilization, on all continents. I translate the relevant trends and developments to your life and work. Or to your sector and organization. How do you anticipate the unleashed future and make a company more resilient in turbulent times? What are the drivers and forces behind the ten inevitable transitions and what does this mean for your organization? And your life?

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Turn your event into a unique experience

Trend watcher: but ttly dffrnt!

Trend watcher for innovative entrepreneurs

As a serial entrepreneur and former impact investor, I speak the language of entrepreneurs and understand their challenges. What trends and developments offer unique opportunities that are not currently seen and exploited? From Net Zero to Net Positive.

Trend watcher for leaders and directors

For more than 20 years I have managed companies on almost all continents. Small and large, sometimes stock market listed. Leadership is also my area of expertise at Nyenrode. How do we lead our organizations from the unleashed future and why is moral leadership indispensable?

Best trend watcher of or for the world?

I am certainly not the best trend watcher in the world, but I am the best for the world. I believe we are on an expedition to Utopia for realists: a better world. Only the route to it is bumpy and challenging. Will you join me on this fascinating expedition?

Drivers behind trends and developments

Ecology

SUSTAINABLE

Climate change changes everything. As does the loss of biodiversity and the damage we do to the environment and our habitat. What can we still do?

Social

RESILIENT

Increasing inequality and migration lead to more social unrest. Less prosperity as a driver to more well-being? How do we ensure more resilience and mercy?

Economy

INCLUSIVE

Uncontrollable debt and rising inflation prevail. The myth of economic growth is being debunked. What does the scarcity of earth metals lead to?

Technology

DEMOCRATIC

Technology leads to fragmentation and further erodes democracy. Smart and faster is good, but more human is Great. How do we leverage technology for Good and for all?

Geopolitical

CONFLICT OF DESIRE

Globalization has brought more prosperity while increasing inequality. Tensions between democracies and autocracies continue to rise. Where do we find peace and balance?

Chaos

REVOLUTION

How can we embrace chaos with all its uncertainties? And instrumentalize it as a driver of the transition of our systems, institutions, businesses and communities?

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TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS TRANSLATED INTO PRACTICE

Customization: a unique experience

As a trend watcher and future thinker, I provide inspirements on the relevant developments with major impact on our lives and work. All my inspirements are tailor-made. Connection to the program and background of the participants is a prerequisite for maximum results. Together we select the relevant drivers and translate them into the desired practice and target group. In this way I guarantee through customization a maximum experience and the desired impact.

Sectors

INEVITABLE TRANSITIONS

What do the trends and development mean for specific sectors, such as education, healthcare, agriculture and food, energy and mobility, investors and banking, construction and housing?

Companies

NET POSITIVE

As a company, how can you best anticipate the unleashed future and shape the transition to Net Positive? How do I future-proof my business?

Government

ONE FOR ALL

As a government, how do we reconnect with society and relate differently to the violently and substantially changing environment?

Leadership

WALK THE TALK

How do we lead the transition of our own organization and system change? Where do we find the courage and wisdom to do the right thing; even when no one is looking?

Entrepreneurship

BEST FOR THE WORLD

In turbulent times, how do I improve my performance and results? In all aspects. For everyone. Always and everywhere. Where are the opportunities I don’t see now, let alone take advantage of?

Work and life

ME, US, THEM

How do we make uncertainties instrumental and is it possible to embrace chaos as a driver of fundamental change in our lives and work?

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My expertise

TED-SPEAKER
MODERATOR
SDG-AMBASSADOR
AUTHOR
PROGRESSOR

My role and track record as

Progressor:
creator of real
progress

I have a proven track record of almost 30 years as a thought leader, sustainable entrepreneur and impact investor.

As a progressor, I work day to day to create a more sustainable world and fair society.

As a philosopher and scientist, I easily separate sense from nonsense, just like goals from meaning and purpose.

As Homo Verus, I am part of both nature and society and therefore live and work within the limits of our planet and human potential.

Impact investor
Sustainable entrepreneur
Thought Leader
Impact investor

DOING WELL BY DOING GOOD

As an impact investor, I have had the opportunity to lead several large and small funds over the past 20 years. The intent was as clear as simple; doing well by doing good. To create value and progress for all stakeholders. As an investor, what could be more enjoyable and meaningful than getting a good return by creating real progress for as many people as possible on all continents?

I have had the opportunity to invest more than 8 billion USD through family funds in start-ups, scale-ups, projects and the internationalization of successful companies.  We were one of the first investors in LinkedIn (2002) and Tesla (2003). As a co-investor, we were involved in projects with UNOPS, Blackrock, Twinning, Novo Nordisk, GenMab, SunPower Corp and Celltrion.

As of 2019, I am only active as a minor investor and involved in various funds and projects, such as Speakers for Good and The Academy for Good.

My international experience as an impact investor and knowledge gained across many sectors, help me tremendously in my work as a future thinker, motivational speaker and best selling author. Most of my hilarious anecdotes are therefore from my own practice and experience.

Sustainable entrepreneur

INSPIRED BY NATURE

As an impact investor, the main focus was on sustainable business and creating value for all stakeholders; socially, environmentally and economically. Not infrequently, I have been inspired by biomimicry – the science and art of copying the best biological ideas and concepts in nature. As inspiration for applications in our human world and to improve and make our economy, society and society more sustainable.

As an impact investor and sustainable entrepreneur, I was involved in projects with the Biomimicry Institute, Threshold Foundation and the Leonardo Dicaprio Foundation, among others.

For my own account and risk, I have been the (co-)founder and of Silvac (ICT – sold to RAET in 1992), Planet Internet (sold to KPN in 1996), Park-line and Parkmobile (sold to BMW in 2016), among others.

In 2020 I started Speakers for Good (introduction in Sept 2021) and behind the scenes we are working on Events for Good (introduction in 2022) and the Academy for Good (introduction in 2022 or 2023).

Thought Leader

INSPIRING PEOPLE WITH INNOVATIVE IDEAS

As a thought leader, I always stayed true to my profound purpose and non-negotiable values for almost thirty years. Even when the majority disagreed or the scorn descended on me.

Important principles: compassion, empathic listening, walk the talk, sharing enthusiasm, self-development and gathering relevant knowledge and facts. And being open to criticism and daring to let go of your own limiting beliefs.

After my studies and volunteer work, my career took off during a collaboration and multi-year assignment at IBM HQ and McKinsey through Desisco [1983-1987].

Back in Europe I was part of the executive board of the Volmac Software Group (now Cap Gemini) [1987-1988] . After a conflict with the board, I started my first own company Silvac [1988-1992], which I sold to Raet (now Getronics) four years later, and then joined the board of directors [1992-1996].

Following the sale of Raet to Getronics, I became CEO and co-shareholder at Planet Internet and was responsible for the integration with World Access and the sale of Planet Internet to KPN [1996-1998].

During my role as CEO of Net Ventures [1999-2009], I was an investor at the birth of Park-line [2002], among others, and was responsible for the integrated acquisition and merger of Park-line and Parkmobile, the company I founded in 2002 and sold to BMW in 2016.

Very recently I founded Speakers For Good [2020], an international boutique speakers agency In Amsterdam. Unique in its kind because it is 100% ‘purpose driven’. An inspiring organization where our planet and 8 billion people get a voice that is heard.

Scientivist & Flip-thinker
Stand-up philosopher
Homo Verus
Scientivist & Flip-thinker

LEARNING IS ALWAYS REBELLION

I consider myself a passionate and rebellious scientist who helps people and organizations daily to create the world that almost everyone desires. I call for wise reflections and movement and make a non-exempt appeal to the head and heart, without putting people or organizations in harm’s way. It’s not about what your intentions are, but about what you demonstrably do and don’t do.

I apply science pragmatically in my daily life and work. No complicated academic treatises on economics or philosophical fallacies on extinction. Just concrete facts, objective reflections, and critical considerations. In simple language and in the here and now.

On the way to tomorrow, the day after and beyond. Based on vital ideas and solutions that create real progress for all stakeholders. Leaving nobody behind.

Stand-up philosopher

LIVE – LEARN – LOVE – LEAVE a LEGACY

My studies philosophy (in Amsterdam, Paris and New York) and business administration (Boston) help me to emancipate science, philosophy and the emerging future. Not only by showing people and organizations how accessible this is, but especially by stimulating them to do something concrete with it. For example, to create real progress, and not just financially, but also ecologically and socially.

I am not obstructively optimistic and am more of a fresh-eyed than a black-eyed observer, and like to consider the serious challenges facing humanity in the seemingly light, everyday here and now.

As a philosopher and future thinker, I understand the art of questioning by reference to the great philosophers. This leads to more awareness and reflection and is important in an era of fake news, where everyone is talking at the same time and opinions quickly take on the apparent value of facts.

The result is that I stimulate people and organizations to ask themselves and others essential and true questions that surprise and make you think. As a result, reflections and conversations lead to more depth and connection. With the other, with yourself and with the deeper intentions.

Homo Verus

LIVE BETTER – HELP MORE – WONDER OFTEN

Born, raised and living in Amsterdam and married to my dear Jeannette. Father to Martine, Floyd and Eva and together with Jeannette we cherish eight lovely and passionate children.

In my lectures and publications I often talk about the Homo Verus, the ‘truly wise man’. The inevitable successor of the Homo Economicus.

The ‘species’ of Homo Economicus has made people and planet subservient to economic growth and prosperity. Because of this we live in bubbles, which seem beautiful, but are in fact unrealistic and more often immoral and inhuman.

As Homo Verus, I live and work from the principle that people are also part of nature, rather than, for example, stewards or the immoral operator of it. And that we must connect differently, in radical interdependence, with each other and with nature.

ALWAYS IMPACT

The best for the world

FOR EVERY INSPIREMENT

Six principles

Prelude to impact and high ratings based on six principles that are always central.

FOR EACH PARTICIPANT

Unique reference guide

After the event, each participant can download a unique reference guide for lasting inspiration.

FOR YOU

Impactful event

Why do clients choose me and come back again and again?

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