Konekti originated as a consultancy company. Maarten van Asseldonk, Lotte Vugs and Niek van Son, all computer science graduates of Eindhoven University of Technology, helped companies to understand and optimize their business processes. To do so, they used advanced techniques such as process mining, business intelligence and data analysis.
Time consuming processes
The challenge: people draw on a whiteboard how they think their processes run, but the reality often turns out to be totally different. By looking at data from systems like SAP or Exact, you can see how things really work. Unfortunately, transforming data into a usable format takes an incredible amount of time. Weeks and sometimes even months. That is why van Asseldonk and his colleagues developed Konekti, a software tool that reduces this process to a few days.
Too small for the next phase
In the beginning, Konekti worked with a small accounting firm that they knew about through the grapevine. In the start-up phase, that worked perfectly. The firm did the administration for a friendly price. But as Konekti grew to nine employees, attracted enterprise clients and prepared for an investment round, things began to pinch. "We started looking for an office that had more knowledge in-house and where we were less dependent on one specific person. Moreover, because of a financing raised, it had to be an accounting firm that was allowed to issue audit reports."
Short lines
Konekti came to Govers through other entrepreneurs. Although they also approached other offices for comparison, the match with Govers immediately felt right. Not entirely coincidentally: Govers was already working with other parties in Eindhoven that were familiar to Konekti, including a notary's office that frequently cooperates with start-ups and scale ups. A pleasant idea, Van Asseldonk thought. "If Govers needs something in the notarial field or vice versa, they found each other in no time. Surely the fact that they already know each other saves the introduction every time."
"I don't have to double-check if the advice I get is right, because I know it's right. That's really all you want from an accountant."
Ready for the investors
The Govers Start & Scale-up team immediately tackled a wide range of work: the administration of the holding company and operating company, tax advice and a complete restructuring. That restructuring was necessary to better protect intellectual property and operate more tax-efficiently. "They helped us set up a tax entity and set up the IP holding company. They also prepared the proposal so that we could go directly to the investors with it."
Tick
What struck him most was Govers' proactivity. When the investors conducted a financial due diligence, almost everything on their checklist was already neatly on paper. Things that companies often don't have in place at this stage had long since been checked off at Konekti. "The investor said they would definitely refer other companies who were still looking for a good accountant to Govers. Just because they saw that it was well taken care of."
Trust that it's right
The combination of professionalism and personal contact makes all the difference for Van Asseldonk. "I'm a real Brabander in that respect," he laughs. "I like it when the lines are short and I can talk to each other on the same level. I can always call if there is something and I am often helped immediately. Or referred to someone who can step in. I don't have to double check if the advice I get is correct, because I know it's right. That's really all you want from an accountant."
For companies that want to grow
Would he recommend other companies to engage with Govers? "If you are a small company with two or three employees, then you may not need Govers' broad range of services yet. But if you have the ambition to grow and complex issues come into the picture, then I would definitely recommend a visit."
In good hands
For Konekti, at least, the choice is clear. With a growing team, international clients and ambitious plans, Van Asseldonk has enough to worry about. Finance and administration are no longer one of them. "As an business owner, you want to be able to focus on your business, and that's why it's nice that the accounting and tax piece is in good hands."
For more information about Konekti, please visit: www.getkonekti.io