Strategic
Funding

Introducing Tara: a highly accomplished professional with a background in Aerospace Engineering, advanced studies at NASA, and a successful stint as a system integration engineer at ASML. Her career transitioned into consulting within the high-tech innovation sector, reflecting her passion for practical applications of her expertise. Beyond her professional achievements, Tara is a creative enthusiast, known for her entrepreneurial ventures and culinary skills. With a technical foundation and a penchant for creativity, Tara embodies our commitment to versatile team members who bring both expertise and cultural enrichment to the table.

Jesse, an Economics and Business Economics graduate from Erasmus University of Rotterdam, has a keen interest in the convergence of finance and technology. His diverse professional background spans financial asset management, startups, and private deal-making, skills that greatly contribute to his current role as a strategic funding consultant at Benedict Peax. Outside of work, Jesse enjoys both playing and watching sports, and has a passion for discovering new music with an eclectic taste. While his neighbors might not share his musical preferences, he often indulges this hobby in Rotterdam's vibrant nightlife scene.

Varsha has an MSc in Social Policy and Social Interventions from the University of Utrecht. She has profound knowledge of grants and tax benefits on a European level. She supports organisations in the field of acquiring public funding in such a way that it matches with their innovation roadmap. Varsha is passionate about innovations in the (med)tech sector and likes reading about this as well. She loves to travel and to spend time with friends and family.

Jeffrey Eelman studied Political Science at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. After completing his degree, he sought to diversify his skill set, which led him to pursue a master's degree in Economics with a specialization in public policy. Upon concluding his studies, Jeffrey came in contact with Benedict Peax and was immediately sold to the role of Strategic Funding Consultant. This opportunity allowed him to apply his academic knowledge in a practical setting and engage with innovative companies, gaining valuable experience. Outside of his professional pursuits, Jeffrey enjoys cycling on his racing bike, playing darts with friends, and visiting Texel, the island where he grew up.

Carst Ivo Meijer is a grants and innovation consultant with over 25 years of experience. He has an MSc in Management & Organisation from the University of Groningen. Through the years, he has worked in a wide range of sectors for companies ranging from small SME’s to some of the largest global corporations, which has given him a broad understanding of technology development and innovation processes. He is always interested in creative, impactful innovations, especially concerning sustainable development and has been involved in a couple of start-up initiatives in renewable energy. After a decade in the eastern region, he returned to the north of The Netherlands where he lives with his wife and two teenage boys. With their intensive sports schedules there is little room for other activities, but he still manages to play volleyball twice a week himself. Future dreams include the development of sustainable energy projects in Lesotho, the native country of his youngest son.

Emma is fascinated by innovation and the strategic opportunities for technology-driven companies. With a background in Aerospace Engineering and experience in strategy and business development, she translates complex projects into clear funding opportunities. Her superpower? Quickly understanding technological innovations and linking them to relevant funding instruments. With an analytical mindset and hands-on approach, she helps organizations turn ambitions into reality. Emma thrives on dynamism, both in her work and beyond. She loves being outdoors—sailing, kitesurfing, hiking, and camping—always on the move and preferably in the good company of friends and family.

Bob Stassar, co-founder of Benedict Peax, holds a Master's in Business Law from Erasmus University Rotterdam. His career started in academic research, followed by a stint in the military and a legal practice in various law fields. He later shifted to entrepreneurship, joining a consulting firm focused on innovation grants, contributing to its growth and international expansion. Outside work, Bob stays active with gym workouts and is involved in his three sons' sports activities, including football, basketball, and rugby.

Peter Saarloos studied philosophy at Utrecht University, where he also lectured and obtained his teaching certificate. After his education, decided to make the transition to strategic consultancy. Obviously. He is inquisitive and no potential improvement or inconsistency escapes his methodical approach paired with sharp eye of the philosopher. Consultancy taught him to simplify but be warned: Peter is still a philosopher at heart, and off-topic questions will result in long rants. In his spare time, Peter likes to make music, read, box, draw, and play games.

Kelbey Wheeler, who studied Aerospace Engineering at the Technical University of Delft and specialized for six years, transitioned to strategic consultancy while maintaining his unwavering passion for technology. He dedicates his free time to staying updated on the latest innovations across various scientific and technological domains. His diverse interests and knowledge make him well-suited to assist startups and SMEs in maximizing their growth potential while critically evaluating their innovations. In his remaining free time, he enjoys good food in good company, hits the gym, plays the guitar, engages in games, and socializes with friends.

Ellen, a Geophysics MSc graduate from Delft University of Technology, has extensive experience from working in seismic data processing for Schlumberger across the Netherlands, Austria, and the Gulf of Mexico. She spent fifteen years abroad in Denmark, Italy, and the USA, gaining diverse skills and language proficiency, and later worked for an Italian insurance broker. On returning to the Netherlands, Ellen joined a startup in the energy sector and in 2018 moved to Benedict Peax, bringing her international experience and dynamic problem-solving skills to the company.

Gerben, with a Master's degree in Management & Organisation from the University of Groningen, initially worked for five years as a management consultant, specializing in strategy, innovation, and technology transfer. In 2004, he launched greenfield public funding advisory branches across Central and Eastern Europe, which eventually expanded to six countries and twelve offices, employing 125 people. After returning to the Netherlands, he started a greenfield public funding advisory company, focusing on the high-tech industry and utilizing his international experience. With nearly 25 years of expertise, Gerben actively balances family life with his entrepreneurial pursuits, also contributing to community activities as a board member of the association ABC and the president of the local football club's youth section.

Stay hungry stay foolish’. Stephan is an enthusiastic, honest and positive-minded guy, always looking for the best way to help companies. This is because of Stephan’s biggest professional influencer: his dad, whom is an entrepreneur himself. Stephan never ceases to be intrigued, likes to ask a lot of questions, and loves to discover how ‘simple’ (read: ‘very complex’) things actually work. After 7,5 years in banking, providing loans to mid-sized companies, Stephan decided to switch careers and join Benedict Peax. Turns out that it is even more fun to help companies securing financing without the need for repayment! In his own time, you’ll find Stephan bouldering (low altitude climbing without ropes), taking a stroll or supping on the Amsterdam canals.

Pieter Paumen, co-founder of Benedict Peax has an MSc in Industrial Engineering and a 25-year career in multinationals like Philips and NXP Semiconductors and with European startups in operations and as CEO. He now, uses his experience to help entrepreneurs achieve their ambitions to innovate and grow. Sometimes with advice, often with funding, always with dedication. Outside work, Pieter is busy with his family maintaining a historic farmhouse and garden, and trying to keep up his running pace.

Xavier Weert, co-founder of Benedict Peax, has a strong technological and scientific background, with an MSc in Mining and Petroleum Engineering and a doctorate in Fluid Dynamics from Imperial College London. He began his career in R&D and then switched to consultancy in the Netherlands, where he fuses scientific and cultural insights with sharp analytical skills. He is a perceptive listener, adept at handling complex issues. He is fluent in French, Italian, English, and Dutch, conversant in Spanish and German, and knows enough Turkish to get himself in trouble.

Guus is fascinated by the creativity and entrepreneurship of Dutch companies in the face of pressing societal and environmental transformations. He combines a sharp sense of opportunity for subsidies and tax benefits for innovation with ten years’ experience as a funding consultant. His superpower is to identify and capitalise on relevant funding opportunities for his clients. Guus likes to combine a personal connection with a goal-oriented approach that is in line with the strategic ambition of the organisation, while also being practically feasible. In his free time, Guus enjoys the good company of friends and his growing family.

Marinus brings a blend of legal and business expertise to the table. With a master’s in civil law from the University of Amsterdam and an MBA from Erasmus University Rotterdam, he began his career as a corporate lawyer before transitioning to business development and marketing within a large corporate. Over the past 15+ years, he has become a trusted advisor to startups and SMEs, helping them innovate, grow sustainably, and secure the funding needed to achieve their goals. With broad sector experience, Marinus approaches projects with curiosity, strategic thinking, and entrepreneurial drive. Outside of work, he enjoys family time, sports, attending games of his favorite soccer team, music, and cooking for family and friends.

This is Lieke – an energetic and curious problem-solver. With a background in biomedical engineering and a passion for working with ambitious people, she is always eager to dive into new innovations, understand emerging technologies and collaborate on groundbreaking ideas. Whether it is about healthcare, deep-tech, sustainability or beyond, Lieke loves figuring out how things work. Before joining Benedict Peax, she gained hands-on experience in the start-up community as data scientist and team manager. Now, she brings that experience to help companies scale and succeed! Outside of work you’ll find Lieke kitesurfing, playing tennis, going for a run or exploring new corners of the world- always on the hunt for a next adventure!