As a child, I always enjoyed saving. In my birthplace, the Zuidelijke IJsselmeerpolders (now part of Flevoland), we went to the local bank once a year to pay in our savings. There was always a little gift waiting for us. Years later, I’m still with the same bank, and I’ve joined its Members’ Council for the Westland region.
How it all started: the piggy bank
As children, my brother and I were able to earn a bit of money every now and then by selling things we had grown in our vegetable patches, helping out on the farm, and doing well at school. Our piggy banks used to gradually fill up with coins throughout the year. We would occasionally even put in a 5 or 10 guilder note, although that wasn't easy because the slot of the piggy bank was secured with sharp metal teeth that had to be pushed aside first.
When our piggy banks were full, our mother used to take us to the bank where they opened them up with a special key and then all the coins were put into a cash counting machine. I was never too sure about the whole thing because to top it all off my hard-earned savings would be put into some sort of magical pneumatic tube system and disappear into the ceiling. On the upside I was always allowed to pick out a nice little gift from the bank.
Years later: the Members' Council
Even now years later I am still with the same bank. They did well all those years ago by offering those nice little gifts. When I saw a notice saying that they were looking for new people to join the Westland Members' Council, I immediately applied. I think it is great that I am now in a position to not only help inventors protect their inventions but also act as a sparring partner for the bank as a member of its Members' Council. And especially at a bank rooted in the agricultural and horticultural sector. After all, a significant proportion of my clients come from this sector.
Inventions and funding
Agriculture and horticulture are among the most innovative sectors in the Netherlands. Every year, we’re asked to protect many great inventions, from clever climate-control algorithms to eco-friendly labels and improved biological pesticides.
To bring these inventions to life, you need money. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Sometimes people use their own savings. Fortunately, there are other ways to raise funds. In practice, an investor, lender or the company’s main bank often plays a key role. Funding can take the form of a loan, equity investment, crowdfunding or a contribution from an innovation fund.
Sharing knowledge and experience
On the Members’ Council, I hope to be a useful link between innovators and the bank by sharing my knowledge and experience as a patent and design attorney. In return, I learn more about how innovation is funded, and I hope my clients will benefit from that too.
Inventions at risk
A word of warning: when you sit down with an investor or bank, don’t be surprised if they ask whether your invention is properly protected. A patent gives you an exclusive right to your invention, so competitors can’t copy it. It also shows that you have protected your invention professionally. If you haven’t, anyone can copy your idea, which makes you far less attractive to investors and lenders.
Feel free to get in touch
You can always get in touch with me in my brand new role as a member of the Members' Council. Later on this week I will be taking part in a Bootcamp day during which I will get to meet the new Director of the Westland region and my fellow Members' Council members. We are going to be spending the day working on a vision for the future. I am looking forward to it!
