East, West, North Best: Judith le Fèvre

In 2024, NOM will exist fifty years. To celebrate that anniversary, in this series we will take entrepreneurs of different generations from the three Northern provinces to the place that for them radiates the strength of the North. Because why is it so good to do business in the North? This is East, West, North Best, with Judith le Fèvre.

'We are standing in front of the Johannes de Doper church on the Water Campus in Leeuwarden. The Water Campus is the water hub of Europe and is located in Friesland. That is really very special. It's incredibly clever that we have managed to bring this about in the North in the triangle of Education, Entrepreneurs and Government. That we have established such a strong ecosystem in the North, with companies and knowledge institutions and supported by governments, is fantastic. More than three hundred companies and knowledge institutions from all over Europe are connected. We - the North - are strong in water technology. We should be proud that this Water Campus is here.

Ferr-Tech is one such water technology company that works closely with the Water Campus. We are a young company. Being allowed to use the network, the expertise, to be able to do projects with students and test with end users has helped us in our growth and development. As far as I'm concerned, the Water Campus is a textbook example of a highly developed ecosystem. And it works: everyone knows it.'

'The strength of the North, I think, is that we have a strong do-mentality. Not thinking about things for too long. Is there a good idea? Then we get to work on it. People take action; realization without endless talking and strategizing. That northern sobriety takes care of that. Show it, go and do it. And then take the stage. Sobriety ensures that practical attitude.

'We started with some entrepreneurs from the region, so that's why we're in Meppel. When we started this, we definitely did look at location. When you talk about water, there is simply a very good working ecosystem here. So we didn't have to leave. We have short lines of communication here, can very easily form partnerships and connect students in a pleasant way because it's all close by. That also fits the company we want to be. Besides all of us having a thing for the space in the region, we want to take good care of our world with our sustainability goals. That flavor fits the North.

'I have Frisian roots, grew up there and now live in Drenthe. I also try to be an ambassador or example for young girls. Don't be modest, go entrepreneurial and look beyond the Dutch borders. There are more inspiring women in the water technology sector in the North, for example, who are figureheads: Marissa de Boer of SusPhos and Sabine Stuiver of Hydraloop. We share the same message: it doesn't have to be done elsewhere, because it can also be done here.'

'We can show what we can do more often. You can certainly give a good innovation the stage. You have to keep a balance between modesty and telling. Going public without losing your individuality. All those awards and competitions sometimes feel a bit far away if you have to go to the Randstad, or even internationally. But do it. In the KVK's top hundred most innovative companies, there were very few from the North. If you have a good innovation, why couldn't you win that prize? Put your company in the shop window, but without losing individuality.

We did take the stage more recently than what Northerners are used to. We did put a lot of thought into that. We thought it wise to position me as the face to the outside world. Not only because I can do that well, but also because there are not many women in water tech on stage yet. I think that also contributed to winning that award. There are so many wonderful companies and innovations in the North; show it.'