28 March 2024
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Dirk Bongers is innovation manager at BLUETEA. A development studio for games and simulations that has been creating super-smart software since 2010. Based in Roermond, they work hard to make an impact on employees in the process, manufacturing and medical industries, among others.
Introducing
'As Innovation Manager, I bring our product to market and make sure it is well aligned with customer needs. I have a background in artificial intelligence and data science. In 2019, I founded a company together with two old classmates. Last year, I sold my interests in that company. After that, I was a data specialist on a freelance basis for a while. Then to end up at BlueTea, my father and uncle's company.'
What exactly does BlueTea do?
'If I had to describe it in one sentence: we make games to train people. In those games, we give them the option to walk around freely, play and interact. There is always some kind of mentor next to them trying to lead them to the right goals.
What makes us unique is VirtualStudio®. An online platform where people can create their own levels. This takes place in 3D environments with interactive objects. Using a kind of block box, you can drag actions to each other and build your own levels. Completely flexible. So you don't need us anymore.'
Why are you engaged in sustainable business?
'At BlueTea, we want to revolutionize learning. Not necessarily school-based learning. We do that too, because we've also made games for schools. But most games are really about places where people work with their hands. Think process and manufacturing industries and healthcare.
We think it's important to offer a future solution where you don't have to depend on us anymore. You can use VirtualStudio® to build your own lessons. And from those lessons, you work on your own with a sustainable training solution.'
What, in your opinion, is needed to accelerate the path to a sustainable society?
'I have always worked with SMEs. In practice, you are overwhelmed with all kinds of tasks every day. Sustainable business quickly comes to a low ebb. With the right outside support, the process can be accelerated for many entrepreneurs, I think.
Cross pollination is very important here. I am chairman at MKB Limburg region middle. One of the things we try to do there is to stimulate that cross-pollination. For example, by visiting companies. Sometimes people just don't know what's out there in the market.
Go see how sustainable business works and learn from other entrepreneurs who are already doing something with it. Join a local network to see up close what is already being done. There are so many good and nice entrepreneurs with great stories in Limburg, they could be a bit more out in the open.'
Take a look at how sustainable business works and learn from other entrepreneurs who are already doing something.
What do you contribute to a smarter, more sustainable and/or healthier Limburg?
'Above all, we are working to make Limburg smarter. By really revolutionizing learning. And by allowing people to use a training solution for multiple purposes, we are also doing so in a sustainable way.'
Do you have any tips for other entrepreneurs/businesses?
'See where you can make as much impact as possible in as little time as possible. In software development, we often talk about a "Minimum Viable Product" (MVP). That's the low-hanging fruit we will develop first. Why? It allows us to make a big impact in a short time.
This approach convinces and encourages people to actually do it. I think this works the same way in sustainable entrepreneurship. Start small and inspire other entrepreneurs. Then you can continue with it yourself. Or 'further develop' as we say in our profession."
"With our games, we start very small and build on that. Often with the smallest piece you have already made 80% of the impact."
Why are you a member of shiftLimburg?
'Again, that cross-pollination. I read the newsletters and try to attend events. To network and see what's going on in Limburg. To follow the innovative companies. And of course stay up-to-date.'
