Entrepreneurs' Newsletter, 2nd Quarter 2026

✨ An inspiring edition of the entrepreneurs' breakfast! ✨

The 17th edition of the entrepreneurs' breakfast brought together a nice mix of familiar and new faces. A valuable combination!

Students from Markland Zevenbergen kicked off the morning with four creative pitches, which were received with great enthusiasm by the entrepreneurs.

Councilman Danny Dingemans put it beautifully: “Entrepreneurship is seeing what everyone else sees, and then doing what no one else does.”

Next, Ben van der Burg gave an energetic talk about taking risks, experimenting, and staying active. And let’s be honest: Ben was probably the most energetic person in the entire room 😉 but his passion and energy were a perfect fit for the dynamic atmosphere of the breakfast.

He emphasized the potential of AI as a tool, but also that humanity is what truly makes the difference.

At the awards ceremony, the students from FLORA took home the prize. Congratulations!

Thank you to all the entrepreneurs, to Ben, and to the students for their energy and creativity!

Be sure to mark Thursday, March 25, 2027, on your calendar. We look forward to seeing you next year!

My name is Pitrick Barendse, and since March 1, 2026, I have been the Corporate Account Manager for the Municipality of Moerdijk. 

In this role, I serve as the point of contact for entrepreneurs who want to grow their businesses, have questions, or are facing challenges.

I believe it’s important for entrepreneurs to receive prompt and clear assistance. That’s why I’m happy to help with permits, questions about setting up a business, expansion plans, or establishing the right connections within the municipality and the local network.

Personally, I get energy from collaborating with others and finding solutions that really work. For the past 15 years, I’ve been an entrepreneur. I bring that experience with me: I know what it’s like to spot opportunities, but also to run into practical challenges.

Do you have a question, an idea, or a challenge? Feel free to contact me—I'd be happy to help you figure it out.

On May 11, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy will launch a new nationwide business campaign to help entrepreneurs be better prepared for emergencies. The campaign focuses primarily on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and aligns with the broader “Think Ahead” campaign. The message is clear:
Make sure you have a contingency plan so your business can keep running if the Netherlands grinds to a halt.

Why this campaign?

The government recognizes that the risks of major disruptions are increasing, such as internet or telecommunications outages, prolonged power outages, or international tensions. Such events can have direct consequences for businesses: for example, the loss of debit card transactions, system failures, or the temporary inability to reach customers and suppliers. The national campaign therefore emphasizes that preparation is essential to maintaining business continuity.

What does this mean for you as a business owner?

Studies show that companies are often aware that risks exist, but are still not sufficiently prepared. A good contingency plan—also known as a business continuity plan (BCP)—helps to:

• respond quickly to disruptions,
• to limit financial losses,
• to provide clarity to employees,
• and to continue serving our customers and supply chain partners.

The new business campaign is based on the principle that every entrepreneur is an important link in the chain. If one link fails, it affects others as well. That is why entrepreneurs are being asked to think ahead and make their businesses more resilient.

Resources for Entrepreneurs

Practical tools have been developed specifically for the business community, such as:

• guidelines with specific steps for identifying risks,
• examples of measures such as emergency communication, alternative payment methods, and offline backups,
• checklists for the first few hours of a crisis,
• and inspiring examples from various sectors.
• The comprehensive guide “Entrepreneurship Means Thinking Ahead” also offers five clear steps to systematically increase your company’s resilience—from risk analysis to recovery.

Start preparing today

Whether you’re self-employed, run a small team, or are part of a larger organization, being well-prepared gives you peace of mind and ensures that your business can keep running even in uncertain times. The national campaign is here to help you with that.

Do you work in the hospitality industry or do you regularly welcome visitors to our region? If so, Brabant Partners’ free West Brabant regional training program is designed just for you. In just ten minutes, you’ll learn all about the unique features of West Brabant—from the historic Zuiderwaterlinie to our diverse natural landscapes, villages, and fortified towns.

The training program focuses on the municipalities of Woensdrecht, Bergen op Zoom, Steenbergen, Moerdijk, Halderberge, Rucphen, and Roosendaal, and helps you interact with guests in an even more welcoming manner and with greater knowledge. If you earn 60 points or more, you’ll receive a certificate right away.

During the week of April 13, students from classes 2a and 2b (vocational/general education) at Markland Zevenbergen were introduced to the world of the Moerdijk Port Authority as part of the “Verrassend Leerzaam” program. This initiative gives young people a hands-on introduction to construction, engineering, and logistics.

Together with companies affiliated with NXT Moerdijk, students discover where their talents lie and how diverse the job opportunities are in the port area. In this way, the education sector, businesses, and the government are working together to create a future-proof labor market.

The week began with an interactive pub quiz about the port area. This was followed by company visits to CCT, InterSprint, Matrix Fitness, and Foresco, among others. Students got a behind-the-scenes look at container handling, tire logistics, the assembly of fitness equipment, and pallet recycling.

"Verrassend Leerzaam" works in an accessible and inspiring way to foster interest in technical careers and attract future talent.

On Tuesday, March 31, a large number of interested individuals gathered for the spring tourism meeting.
After a warm welcome at and by the National Flax and Sugar Museum in Klundert, everyone was informed and updated on interesting developments within the municipality of Moerdijk.

After that, the marketing agency Every Day introduced us to the world of social media and the importance of being visible within our target audience’s 160-meter scroll range. This led to inspiring insights and lively discussions.

A little wiser and with plenty to think about, we were then given a tour of the museum. Afterward, a delicious buffet awaited us, provided by De Pastorie restaurant. During and after dinner, there was plenty of opportunity to network and exchange information with one another.

All in all, it was a very interesting, enjoyable, and successful gathering.

How many companies in the Moerdijk port and industrial area are actually looking for the same type of candidate? Probably more than you think. Yet we often still work independently of one another. And yet it is precisely collaboration that helps us find and retain people more quickly. 

And this is happening at dozens of companies at the same time. In logistics, engineering, and the chemical industry, the demand for workers is growing, while the supply is lagging behind. Moreover, due to an aging population, the energy transition, and digitization, the skills in demand are changing rapidly. 

This isn’t a temporary problem. Nor is it a problem you can solve on your own. As it turns out, many companies in the port and industrial area are facing the same bottlenecks. The same target groups, the same challenges, and, increasingly, the same solutions—provided they tackle them together!

That’s why businesses, educational institutions, and government agencies are collaborating within NXT Moerdijk. Visitthe NXT Moerdijk websitefor real-world examples: what works, what the benefits are, and how you can get involved. Want to know more about what we do? Follow us on LinkedIn or sign up for the NXT newsletter. 

Many business owners are currently struggling due to rising prices and inflation. Money worries are often not just financial; they also cause stress, fatigue, and sometimes shame.

Are you having trouble paying all your bills on time? Don't wait until the problems get worse.

The municipality of Moerdijk offers free assistance and advice for financial concerns—including support specifically for business owners. Together, we’ll review your situation and see what kind of support is available.

📩 Email:vroegeropaf@moerdijk.nl
📞 Call: 14 0168

For a no-obligation consultation and a first step toward greater clarity and peace of mind.

As a business owner, do you need someone to listen, provide independent advice, or help you think through business challenges?

The OKB team in West Brabant is here to help you! You can visit us by appointment during OKB office hours at City Hall.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule a no-obligation, free consultation, please contact us at:
team-westbrabant@ondernemersklankbord.nl

Online meetings are available. Would you prefer to brainstorm online via Zoom or Teams? No problem! Just mention this in your email.