Columbus Trophy

Supporting starting entrepreneurs since 2004

www.columbustrophy.eu

Preface Over the past eleven editions the Columbus Trophy has grown into a well-established event! With this competition we support young startups to pursue their dreams to become successful entrepreneurs and offer them an international platform, which is a great and satisfying thing to do.

There is no competition in the Netherlands that puts the entrepreneur, and not solely the product or service, in the spotlight. The main focus is creating networking moments

Content 3

Preface

and offering a platform where one can do business on an informal level and getting a chance to take the next step.

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Let your network grow

The Columbus trophy will reach its full potential during Food Executive Europe (FXE) in Maastricht, where the finalists can meet hundreds of likeminded hospitality professionals.

Your next business partner, client or investor might be one handshake away.

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What is The Columbus Trophy?

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Past Winners

6

For Who?

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Food Executive Europe

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How does it work?

Are you ready to step outside the box?

We look forward to welcoming you in the competition!

Robert Melaard Chairman

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What is the Columbus Trophy?

The Columbus Trophy is the award, granted to a successful young entrepreneur who is active as supplier to the hospitality industry, or who has created an innovative hospitality concept.

Foundation

Unique

Aim

Since its first edition in 2004,

Opposed to the various

Many young entrepre-

the Columbus Trophy has

hospitality innovation

neurs have great drive

grown tremendously. In the

awards that are known

and potential, but find it

early years, the Columbus

throughout Europe,

challenging to continue

Trophy focused on suppor-

the Columbus Trophy

when they experience

ting local Dutch companies.

does not focus solely on

difficulties. The Columbus

Later, it evolved to a national

the product or service,

Trophy aims to support

competition. In 2014, the

but focuses on the

those entrepreneurs by

Columbus Trophy was

entrepreneur behind it.

stimulating them to take

made into an international

that extra step.

competition with companies joining from all over Europe.

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For Who? To apply as a candidate, you have to meet the conditions named below:

• The company is a supplier to the hospitality industry and/or • The company has created an innovative hospitality concept • The company has existed for at least 1 year, and 10 years at most • The company has a maximum of 20 FTE • The company resides in Europe and has the potential to grow internationally • The company is able to present itself in English • Global organizations / corporations cannot participate in the Columbus Trophy

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How does it work?

After filling out the registration form, you will be accepted as participant of the Columbus Trophy. The jury process is primarily based on entrepreneurship, yet the quality of the product or service is also taken into consideration. The selection process incorporates several rounds and during the last round the finalists will come to Maastricht to present themselves to the jury.

Who are the judges?

The judges are professionals in their field of work, and are working as a supplier to the hospitality industry or as a hospitality professional. For the 11th edition of the Columbus Trophy the finalists had to present themselves before 30 judges, ranging from general managers of hotels, to accountants, to entrepreneurs, including some former Columbus Trophy finalists.

The diversity and the size of the jury is something that makes the Columbus Trophy unique.

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Let your network grow

What is in it for me?

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The winner of the Columbus Trophy receives a cheque of â‚Ź 2.500,-

The Columbus Trophy offers a unique and extended network to exchange

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thoughts, do business and

The winner of the Columbus Trophy receives the (perpetual) Columbus Trophy

share knowledge, all to help starting entrepreneurs grow. This is the foundation

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of our organization and is incorporated in everything that we do and express.

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5

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The finalists are able to present their companies during Food Executive Europe (FXE), where leading decision makers come to see new and innovative companies and products Various networking possibilities with leading decision makers during FXE All the Columbus Trophy finalists will be a part of the marketing & communications process of the Colmbus Trophy

Past Winners

1st edition

2nd edition

3rd edition

7th edition

8th edition

9th edition

Yagua ‘food for

Club message

Scooterbob

Couverts Reserveren

Hampi Products

Admirror

mind & mood’

Jeroen Glabbeek

Monte Kasdorp

Michiel Huisman

Frederic Sanders

Remy Bordewin

Paul Vaessen

& Gilbert Gooijers

6th edition

10th edition

11th edition

4th edition

5th edition

Straatgolf

SpaLifestyleGroup

Jasili Bloomingteas

Smokey Goodness

StableTable

Patrick Lehman

Roel de Kanter

Richard Min

Jord Althuizen

Sven Henningsson

& Eduard Kelderhuis 12

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Food Executive Europe In 2014, a new, exclusive event called Food Executive Europe (FXE) was launched. FXE is a ‘by invitation only’ event and the first of its kind organised solely for decision makers within the European hospitality industry, focusing on the foodservice, hotel, (hospitality management) education and catering segment.

It provides a platform for networks and associations, to encourage sharing and networking with like-minded people. FXE is a truly inspiring event for every hospitality professional who believes in the added value of networking and knowledge sharing, and who is willing to step out of his comfort zone to experience innovations and business opportunities from other segments of hospitality. The initiating parties are; EPCAS, HotelloTOP, EMCup and Foodservice Network International. The Columbus Trophy plays an important role in the heart of the Experience Center and the winner will be announced during the official programme.

The Agenda for the Future: There is no Time to Waste!

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Power

Food

Pollution

Changing markets

Health & Care

Education

Columbus Trophy Secretariat Château Jerusalem • Jeruzalemweg 2 • 6222 NG Maastricht • The Netherlands P.O. Box 4260 • 6202 WC Maastricht • The Netherlands www.columbustrophy.eu • info@columbustrophy.eu @ColumbusTrophy • #ColumbusTrophy