Albert Hoogeveen is an international business development specialist. Coming from a solid business background with leading Dutch companies such as Ahold and ING Bank, he has been able to leverage his experience, knowledge and insight to assist companies from a broad spectrum of industries. Through his position with the Development Agency East Netherlands (Oost NL), where he has been a director from 1987 through 2021, he has partnered with local, national and international companies in making new business happen. By combining his extensive network with the practical resources available through his position as investment manager, he has been responsible for concrete business gains for corporate clients. As co-founder and former chairman of the HollandBusinessHouse, Albert has been able to provide structure for international companies wanting to expand their business reach. Through his participation as a member of the Advisory Board of the Business & Science Park Association in Enschede, he has been able to provide physical resources for these same companies. Many of his business activities are centered around R&D matchmaking, which requires understanding of the market, keen business insight and a sharp feeling for entrepreneurship. With a solid academic foundation through an MBA from the University of Hertfordshire (UK) and an undergraduate degree at the Windesheim University of Professional Education, Albert is also able to rely on theoretical insights for providing the best service possible. Until 2021, he was a Senior Advisor of the High Tech & Energy cluster at the department for Foreign Investments of Oost NL, and was directly responsible for attracting a high number of cross-border investment projects to the eastern part of the Netherlands.From January 1, 2022, Albert offers his knowledge, experience and network to (international) start-ups, scale-ups as well as government institutions that need some extra "brains" on a part time basis. As part of this new venture, Albert registered this new company called XtraBrains at the Chamber of Commerce in the Netherlands. Specialties: international business development, startup management, project management