History SIFE VU
2007 - Start
SIFE VU is born. 5 enthusiastic students from 5 different study backgrounds combine their forces in February for the startup years of SIFE VU.
With support of the SIFE program manager NL Saskia Verbunt, our 1st Business Advisory Board Member Milko Brinkman and Faculty Advisor Denise Pronk this team tries to answer the question: "what is the added value of the VU SIFE on campus?" And " what is our vision / mission? ".
The first project of SIFE VU is the organisation of an interactive workshop at the VU University in collaboration with Kaospilots. 15 Students learn hands-on what sustainable business in Amsterdam could mean for the city and university.
We found our first sponsor, our printing is done by Xieje Creative Productions.
2007-2008 - Action!
After the summer, three founders passionatly continue and initiate two ambitious projects: bigmamma and StudentCASE.
An action-oriented year follows where we find out what resources and activities like manpower, skills, networking and advice are required for the annual conduct of the organisation and establishment of long-term projects. We work passionately to bring those activities together with a rapid growth on all fronts as a result.
The project concepts develop steadily, the team grows to 7 members and our first budget will be fully sponsored. Including the fixed organizational costs for the next 5 years.
In January 2008 VU SIFE becomes an official foundation. This is celebrated during a busy network drink in the inspiring ABN AMRO Dialogues House where we present our annual plan.
At the end of this academic year, SIFE VU has an inventory, bank account, network within and outside the VU, consultants and accounting records. We have succeeded in creating a basis for the continuity of SIFE VU!
Our enthusiasm and our commitment to the national SIFE competition is awarded with the Spirit of SIFE Award 2008 and we are proud that Denise Pronk, our Faculty Advisor, wins the SIFE NL University Adviser Award for her active and valuable support.
2008-2009 - 'Alive & Kicking'
This year we see the first measurable results of projects and a new project is started: 4LeafClover.
We know what we are capable of and that great potential lies in SIFE VU. We see, hear and taste all sides.
We are really an organization now. "How can SIFE VU professionalise?" Is the question of the year.
From chaotic improvisation of the first year we aim to structure and have overview. We do this by implementing a strategy, having weekly meetings and working on the basis of a timeline and year plan. Our new permanent office location in the VU Center for Entrepreneurship and an online working environment help enormously. First beginnings are made with organizational policy, documentation and evaluations. We create space to learn from activities to build and improve. SIFE VU is on track to consolidate the rapid growth.
This year we also make time for fun. Our first team building that we have, is a surf clinic in Zandvoort at the sea end is a great start of the year.
Thanks to our first official marketing officer the number of team members is doubled.
The VU Center for Entrepreneurship is enthusiastic about our collaboration and in addition to office space and advice they annually sponsor us financially.
The projects run smoothly. The 7 organised Entrepreneur's Cafe 020, are enthusiastically attended by an average of 80 students and entrepreneurs each month. We bring 400 students entrepreneurial skills, build a network of 500 student entrepreneurs in Amsterdam and involve 6 entrepreneurial student organisations in the initiative.
The starting shot for the construction of the bigmamma website is fired! This is possible by funding and sponsorship by Minister Cramer and website builders. Full of excitement we are looking forward to working towards the launch.
Prime Minister Balkenende praised the bigmamma team already! "Congratulations on a well thought and important initiative."
At the national SIFE competition, we look back on a successful year and are awarded with the Spirit of SIFE Award (2009) again for "impressive work" and "great potential for the future".
We are proud that we are so far that our activities reflect our vision and mission. To speak with our slogan: "Thinking big, starting small, to be the change we want to see in the world".
2009 - 2010
The year started freshly with a 6-strong board. This is the first year that all organisational basics are provided from the beginning of the year. Now SIFE VU is successful and creates more enthusiasm among students, the university and other parties, locally, nationally and internationally, the professionalisation continues. The organisation gets a new shape and thorough approach to grow into a university-wide stable platform that facilitates social entrepreneurs in their challenges.
Projects are now disconnected from board members. Board members are now primarily engaged in managing and developing the organisation supporting social entrepreneurs.
