OUR WHY, HOW, WHAT
WHY
We believe in the power of entrepreneurship and teamwork as a tool for personal development and to positively impact the world.
HOW
We empower young entrepreneurial minds to find and pursue ‘what makes them tick’ by giving them the tools and skills to start their own businesses and/or projects. In doing so, we help shape confident entrepreneurial thinkers that can make a difference in any environment.
WHAT
To do so, we offer a practical BBA in entrepreneurship that revolves around guided self-organized learning in small teams. Crucial to this process is personal coaching/ mentoring and working with industry experts. By keeping our community tight, we ensure that our program remains personal and that we can deliver the best quality possible.
1993
Tiimiakatemia is born at JAMK University of Applied Sciences, Jyväskylä, Finland.
2008
Team Academy comes to the Netherlands and starts its first university in Haarlem.
2015
Now based in Amsterdam, Team Academy receives its current accreditation by the NVAO, thus offering an internationally recognized BBA in Entrepreneurship.
2024
With 59 students and 86 alumni, our community is full of inspiring young entrepreneurs.
KEY PLAYERS: MARJOLEIN BAKKER
Why Team Academy? “We want to facilitate in creating skillful, creative, and developed entrepreneurs who are not afraid to fail and learn, who can adapt to situations, and who have a positive impact on their community. At Team Academy, the community shares experiences, knowledge, and a network. It’s the place where students learn to cooperate, develop on a personal level, and develop their business ideas. We believe that all these features will make you a better entrepreneur, one who is ready for the future!”
Marjolein Bakker
With a background in Social Studies, coaching, training, management, and the recruitment & selection sector, Marjolein completely fits the role as program director at Team Academy.
What really inspires her at Team Academy are the reflections and evaluations of students, for instance, those of the graduates: “It’s beautiful to listen to them, how they reflect on four years at Team Academy, their personal development, their challenges, and what they’ve learned to continue this high-performance after Team Academy. This is why we do this!” With her background and experience, she is personally adding value to the program and students.
Still, not only students learn by doing at Team Academy: “I really experienced the benefits of working in a team at Team Academy; I am able to trust my team more, to find solutions together, and this gives me more freedom and peace in my daily life.” A day at Team Academy is never standard. “It’s always a surprise which student you talk to at the coffee machine. I love to hear the latest updates of their business, or simply how they are doing. The personal atmosphere is something I value greatly at our school.”
Her drive? Marjolein wants to make young entrepreneurs ready for their future, let them see the fun in every challenge, and making sure they function the best way possible! And as an ambition for the breakthrough moment: guiding the firewalk for students!
Marc Ernst
Back in 2015, Marc was referred to Team Academy as the entrepreneurship school he should have a chat with. Little did he know that the moment he arrived they didn’t want to let him go as he was the perfect candidate for their business mentor role. With his background in law, and has had multiple businesses himself, he has so many experiences to share with the new generation.
This is exactly what he likes most about Team Academy: “Team Academy offers me the chance to think together with the new generation, to share experiences, and to head out for the future.” What inspires Marc at Team Academy is the diversity in characters, skills, and dynamics between the young entrepreneurs. “I love working with the teams, and I really enjoy being a mentor.”
Marc personally adds value with his interesting, motivating, and reflective business sessions, which he has with every student. “I share my experience, the students share their insights and feedback. It’s a great combination and I truly see how students and their businesses are growing throughout these sessions”.
How would Marc describe Team Academy? “It’s a community with a very positive can-do spirit. It’s remarkable how students changed their business models during the Covid-19 lockdown. I’m very proud to be a part of it, and I’m always excited and curious to be at the school again!” Marc is looking forward to continuing Team Academy’s mission, to keep on developing the program, and to gain and apply the latest knowledge, and to add value as a member of the management and as a business mentor!
OUR VALUES
EMBRACE DIVERSITY
We seek and embrace what is different – from how we see and do business, to how we communicate and work together. We engage with different cultures, backgrounds, and points of view.
TEAM UP
We are the team. We build intimate bonds. We create a community where we give each other space to belong. We offer feedback, trust, and we challenge each other to be at our best. We go for a collective result, putting ‘we’ before ‘I’.
FAIL FORWARD
We cheer each other on to make mistakes and we make them often. We believe that there is no learning without failures and that failure is the only way to success.
BE CONSCIOUS
We take care of ourselves, each other, our workplace, and our world – leaving everything better than we found it. We strive to make a positive impact!
CREATE VALUE
We contribute to the future of the world. We aim to be profitable. We keep developing ourselves. With every interaction, we strive to create value for our clients, our partners, and ourselves.
