The story of Stephan Falcão Ferreira
Stephan has a fascination with new technology. After graduating, he started working at Invest-NL within the Energy Transition team. He is enthusiastic about the scope and the responsibility that comes with being a junior.
Within Invest-NL, Stephan works on analyses of the technology of a project or company and the associated market. "The projects and companies I focus on usually relate to my background and expertise in chemistry. It often concerns the application of new and sustainable fuels or raw materials. Currently, my focus is on developments in hydrogen and biobased plastics."
It is very valuable to learn how entrepreneurs work in their own way on the complex puzzle of a climate-neutral future.
It is his first role after graduating. At a conference on future leadership, he met Anne Mieke, Director of Business Development, and they discussed his ambition to combine sustainable chemical innovations with the business development field in his future work. It didn't take long before there was a connection. And so, the ball started rolling.
“Sometimes your next step comes from an unexpected direction. Within Invest-NL, I have the opportunity to delve into new sustainable technologies and the actual implementation of these in the market. Invest-NL operates at the intersection of the public and private sectors. This means you are regularly confronted with diverse interests that need to be brought together to promote the transition towards a carbon-neutral and circular economy. That is incredibly educational.”
There is plenty of room to shape your own tasks.
Invest-NL is a small organisation, but the opportunities are diverse and substantial. “We are a young organisation and still in the process of building. Together, we shape the future of the company. I am especially proud of the long-term vision we pursue. We want to make feasible what may initially seem unfeasible. And to do that, you need the courage to go outside the beaten track.”
Stephan derives a lot of energy from his living environment. “I enjoy playing football with my friends in the city squares, playing music, and eating well. I realise that a pleasant living environment with nice people is very valuable.” He therefore wants to contribute to improving and safeguarding the livability of the area. “I would love to see a world where we live more in harmony with nature and each other. How wonderful is it to be able to do this directly through your daily work?”