Finqle Founders Story

Erik-Jan Klinkenberg and Mike van Egmond shared a common drive: in 2015 they wanted to make invoicing more accessible and simpler for entrepreneurs and freelancers. Their way of working—that you had to do everything yourself to maintain control—was prevalent at the time for both of them.

However, as the years went by, they grew in their vision, learned to let go, and began to see more opportunities for collaboration. This philosophy now forms the core of Finqle.

 How It Started: The Early Years

The early years (2015) were intense. Erik-Jan and Mike wanted to set everything up themselves and keep tight control. Erik-Jan reflects:

"In the beginning, we really thought we had to build everything ourselves. All administration, software, and customer management—we just did it ourselves."

Mike adds:

"It felt like the only way to keep everything on track. We didn’t want to take risks."

However, this turned out to be not only time-consuming but also energy-draining. In hindsight, they realized how much time they could have saved by working with partners earlier.

The Turning Point: From Closed to Open Collaboration

The turning point came when they gradually began collaborating with other companies. Mike admits,

"At first, I was really hesitant to delegate. It felt almost like admitting defeat."

But Erik-Jan encouraged him to see things differently:

"He kept saying, ‘If you keep doing everything yourself, there’s less and less time for your core business.’ And he was right."

Instead of building everything themselves, they began to work with strategic partners, even with companies that were once viewed as competitors. Erik-Jan states:

"What I used to see as competition, I now often view as potential partners. I look at what we can achieve together. It has accelerated our growth tremendously."

This led to an open system where both partners and even competitors could work with their solutions.

"We now give them the freedom to use our system and build upon it," explains Erik-Jan. "That was a real eye-opener: sometimes it’s just smarter to open the doors."

The Power of Specialization

By making that shift, they were able to focus better on what they truly value: delivering solutions that enable entrepreneurs to run their businesses without excessive risk and administrative burdens. Erik-Jan and Mike strongly believe in specialization. For example, they don’t build planning tools—those already exist, and other companies excel at them. Mike explains:

"What we do really well is facilitate cash flow and accounts receivable management, so entrepreneurs don’t get bogged down in administrative hassles."

This focus on the core of their business also allowed them to work with partners who complement their systems.

"A planning tool and invoicing is one thing, but managing the financial risk and ensuring quick payments is another. By collaborating, we can make a difference for our customers."

Lessons in Focus and Flexibility

Staying focused hasn’t always been easy for Erik-Jan and Mike.

"Look, we could have chosen to focus on rapid growth and external investments," says Erik-Jan. "But we’ve always opted for a solid, profitable foundation. The pandemic and changing markets showed us that was not a bad choice."

Despite their focus on stability and profitability, they also recognize that they must remain adaptable.

"You can’t afford to sit still for a year anymore," Mike emphasizes. "The world changes so fast that we challenge ourselves to pivot whenever necessary. We have a long-term plan through 2028, but we keep ourselves sharp. It can go in any direction."

Agility and Trust in Partners

Flexibility means not only being able to pivot quickly but also gathering the right partners who can think along with you and challenge your ideas. Erik-Jan notes,

"In the beginning, we thought it was best to work only with yes-sayers, but people with differing opinions keep you sharp. That can be tough, but it ensures we make the right decisions consistently."

Thus, they always seek people who can complement their weaknesses.

"One lesson I’ve learned is to trust experts,"*says Mike. "Make sure you have people in your organization who see things differently than you do, and value that difference."

The Bigger Picture

Where Erik-Jan and Mike initially wanted to manage everything themselves, they are now advocates for an approach that prioritizes growth and sustainability. It’s not just about making profits, but also about maintaining a stable foundation and control over the company.

"In an era where everyone was living from one investment to the next, we chose to stay focused on profitability and stability", Erik-Jan remarks.

With a vision for growth and innovation and the ambition to expand internationally, Erik-Jan and Mike continue to build their company. They aim to support entrepreneurs in their journeys, without the heavy administrative burdens they once faced themselves.

"It feels like we now truly have a system that enables others to succeed without getting lost in administration," says Mike.

Erik-Jan nods in agreement:

"That’s our driving force—to make entrepreneurship simpler and more efficient for anyone who wants it."