The Seven Talents Reflect on the Secrid Talent Podium 2024

“That Secrid dedicates a significant portion of its revenue to giving others opportunities is truly exceptional and should serve as an inspiration to other companies,” says Miriam van der Lubbe, Creative Head of Dutch Design Week. Through the Secrid Impact Fund, Secrid helps designers make the difficult leap from concept to market, believing in the power of design and product development. Secrid's founder, René van Geer, adds: “At the Secrid Talent Podium, designers are using their talent to address important societal issues. These are inspiring examples of hope for all industries.”

The Energy of Dutch Design Week

One such example is Pauline van Dongen. Pauline appeared on the Dutch morning show Goedemorgen Nederland during Dutch Design Week, where she showcased SUNTEX, a solar fabric she developed that can generate energy while creating shade structures. “The Secrid Talent Podium at Dutch Design Week brings so much positive energy: it’s really the place where the energy comes together,” says Pauline.

The Full Story

The audience at Dutch Design Week is considered to be positively critical and interested in the story behind the product. Lotte Douwes shares: “With my participation in the Secrid Talent Podium, I was able to present Meaningful Matter from start to finish, rather than just the final product.” “The coaching from Secrid helped us communicate our story – the story of biobased and circular materials in the construction industry – more clearly,” say Margreet van Uffelen & Huub Looze of Omlab.

A Different Type of Audience

Milou Voorwinden notes that Dutch Design Week gave her the opportunity to engage with a different audience: “The connection with people from the business world made me reflect on the impact you can have as a designer-researcher. When is something still purely research, and when do you get involved in the developments and innovations in the industry? That tension fascinates me greatly.” Hedwig Heinsman, Martine de Wit, and Hans Vermeulen from Aectual also made connections with a new audience: “We have become better known abroad in recent years, but our studio is based here. Dutch Design Week gave us the opportunity to meet a wide Dutch audience.”

A Platform for Product Development

For Boey Wang, the Secrid Talent Podium during Dutch Design Week was the perfect platform to fine-tune and directly present the development and launch of his product to an engaged audience. “The immediate feedback and connection with the audience not only validated my design but also accelerated its success through real-time testing and marketing,” says Boey. “What impressed me the most was meeting an older man with a visual impairment who came especially to experience Haptics of Cooking.”

“It was incredibly inspiring to be surrounded by a large group of diverse designers all striving for better products,” says Doreen Westphal of Resty & Fungi Hack. “Being part of the Secrid Talent Podium felt like a huge recognition of the work I’ve been doing for years.”

Are You Part of the Secrid Talent Podium 2025?

Are you one of the seven talents with a vision for a more sustainable future? Read more or sign up directly. The deadline for applications is Monday, 24 February.

As part of the Secrid Talent Podium 2025, you will receive:

• A dedicated exhibition space as part of the Secrid Talent Podium during Dutch Design Week 2025
• Coaching to further develop your vision and maximise your impact
• Professional communication materials, including a studio video and in-depth interview
• A grant of €7,777.77 to support your journey in making an impact

More information

This initiative is a collaboration with the Dutch Design Foundation and selected designers from Secrid’s partner WDCD (What Design Can Do).