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Thijs Sprangers

Thijs Sprangers


Community Engagement Specialist | Program Director | Advisory Board Member

Professional Overview


Thijs Sprangers is a dynamic community engagement specialist with a proven track record of driving impactful initiatives across the technology and entrepreneurial ecosystems. With a diverse portfolio of roles, Thijs leverages his extensive industry expertise to foster collaborative communities, lead strategic programs, and provide advisory guidance to innovative organizations.

Experience Summary



Current Roles


Community Host, nlmtd (2022-09-01 to Present)
  • Responsible for cultivating a thriving community of technology professionals, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders

  • Organizes engaging events, facilitates knowledge-sharing, and connects members to valuable resources

  • Drives community growth and enhances member experience to support the organization's mission


Program Director, Scale Up Program, KölnBusiness – the Economic Development Agency of Cologne (2023-07-01 to Present)
  • Leads the design and execution of a comprehensive scale-up program for high-potential startups in the Cologne region

  • Leverages industry insights and best practices to develop tailored curriculum and mentorship opportunities

  • Collaborates with ecosystem stakeholders to create a robust support network for participating companies


Community Partner, Innov8rs.co (2023-05-01 to Present)
  • Serves as a strategic partner in the Innov8rs global community of innovation professionals

  • Contributes expertise in community building, program development, and ecosystem engagement

  • Helps shape the organization's offerings and initiatives to empower corporate innovators worldwide


Career Progression


Advisory Board Member, System Akvile (2023-01-01 to Present)
  • Provides strategic guidance and industry insights to the leadership team of this cutting-edge technology company

  • Advises on product development, go-to-market strategies, and scaling efforts to drive the organization's growth


Advisory Board Member, Peerby (2014-05-01 to Present)
  • Lends expertise in community management, user engagement, and platform development to this pioneering peer-to-peer sharing platform

  • Contributes to the refinement of the company's product roadmap and the enhancement of the user experience


Academic Background


Thijs holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Erasmus University Rotterdam, where he specialized in Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

Areas of Expertise


  • Community building and engagement

  • Program design and implementation

  • Ecosystem development and stakeholder management

  • Startup advisory and scale-up strategy

  • Innovation management and corporate entrepreneurship


Professional Impact


  • Grew the nlmtd community by 35% through strategic event programming and targeted outreach initiatives

  • Designed and launched the Scale Up Program at KölnBusiness, which has supported over 25 high-growth startups in the Cologne region

  • Contributed to the successful expansion of Peerby's user base and the enhancement of its platform functionality


Conclusion


Thijs Sprangers is a versatile community engagement specialist and program director who leverages his extensive industry knowledge and collaborative approach to drive innovation and empower entrepreneurial ecosystems. With a diverse portfolio of roles, Thijs continues to make a significant impact through his commitment to fostering thriving communities, developing impactful programs, and providing strategic advisory guidance to leading organizations.