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Ali Niknam, the founding father of Amsterdam-based neo financial institution bunq, has acquired the celebrated Businessman of the 12 months award, recognising his contributions to the enterprise world.
The award was introduced on the Grasp Expo honest’s first day by actual property entrepreneur Cor van Zadelhoff, who himself was named Businessman of the 12 months in 2022.
The annual award, initiated by Yves Gijrath (founding father of MASTERS EXPO) and Paul van Riessen (editor-in-chief of enterprise journal Quote), celebrates Dutch entrepreneurship.
This yr, the award focuses on Niknam’s distinctive profession and entrepreneurial spirit.
Ali Niknam’s journey!
Ali Niknam’s journey within the enterprise world has been nothing in need of inspiring.
In 2012, he printed the e-book “Entrepreneurs By no means Have Luck.”
Ali Niknam began his first unicorn, TransIP, which has now grown to grow to be the most important area identify and website hosting supplier within the Benelux.
In 2012, Niknam ventured into the web banking trade and based Bunq, pushed by his perception {that a} financial institution must be about individuals and never cash. At present, bunq consists of 10 million customers.
Final yr, Niknam additionally launched the Folks for Folks basis with Dutch entrepreneurs, together with Joris Beckers, and Robert Vis, to help individuals of all nationalities who search security and refuge within the Netherlands.
In April, Niknam has additionally utilized for a US banking licence.
The neobank desires to increase its operations to the US market with an easy proposition – a banking service that enables US residents and firms to keep away from banking forms by opening a totally purposeful overseas checking account in simply 5 minutes.
bunq reported its first web revenue within the fourth quarter of 2022 and anticipates this yr will likely be worthwhile too.
Niknam is the proud successor of actual property icon Cor van Zadelhoff.
Yves Gijrath from MASTERS EXPO says, ‘Niknam is certainly one of a sort. He has a no-nonsense mentality and foresight. He can translate his mind into new, decisive firms that meet shopper wants. What I discover notably beautiful about him is the simplicity with which he achieves this.”
Paul van Riessen, Quote editor-in-chief, provides, “We regularly see entrepreneurs combating for the unicorn aim. At Niknam, it has not stopped at only one unicorn; there at the moment are three. As well as, Ali just isn’t afraid to problem the established order.”
The Jury’s report
The jury report highlights the necessity for entrepreneurs like Ali Niknam within the Netherlands, highlighting his capacity to assume otherwise, promote inclusivity, and display appreciable braveness.
Visitor jury member Cor van Zadelhoff says, “I tremendously admire his enthusiasm and perseverance. Niknam has been and nonetheless is essential to the banks. We’ll see Ali usually.”
Niknam’s unconventional enterprise method is demonstrated by his willingness to problem establishments just like the Dutch Nationwide Financial institution.
“In response to these concerned, Ali has an awesome social coronary heart. He was on the foundation of Folks For Folks and Subsequent Stage, amongst others,” says the report.
Laurentien van Oranje, co-founder & director of the quantity 5 basis, says, “Ali is extremely resilient and agile. He deserves this lifetime achievement award.”
Gijrath concludes, “Ali Niknam just isn’t solely Businessman of the 12 months 2023 due to the particular enterprise outcomes, but in addition due to his huge coronary heart and being there for others.”
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