Bart van de Kooij

Hardware founder → 3 mass production runs → helping startups get from prototype to factory | MiniBrew

Netherlands

About

Created hardware product from prototype to 3 mass production runs in Shenzhen. Two Indiegogo campaigns. CE/FCC/UL/TÜV certified. paying subscribers across the EU and the US. Raised €12M. Built a profitable hardware subscription company across the EU and the US. Made every mistake in the book. BOM that didn't survive the first Engineering Build. Tooling decisions that cost 6 months. One part that nearly killed pilot production. I learned it the hard way, so you don't have to. Now I help hardware founders avoid the mistakes that cost 6 months and €250K — from prototype to factory floor. Alongside that, I'm building the AI Safety Net Fund — mutual aid for workers displaced by AI automation. Because the future should work for everyone, not just founders. 3 hardware advisory spots open. First call is free. DM me or [email protected]

Experience

  • Founder & CEO at AI Safety Net Fund
    Apr 2026 - Present · 3 mos

    AI Safety Net Fund is building the first income protection benefit for workers displaced by AI. Think cyber insurance — but for the workforce transition happening right now. Looking for: Senior HR leaders who want to protect their employees before AI displacement hits their workforce. Signup: https://aisafetynetfund.com/

  • Angel investor at Nothing
    Apr 2022 - Present · 4 yrs 3 mos

    Joined their round in 2022

  • MINIBREW (10 yrs 10 mos)
    • Founding CEO
      Jul 2020 - Present · 6 yrs

      Primary responsibility: Leading the product, marketing, finance, logistic and CX team to successfully onboard customers and become a profitably business Key milestones as CEO 1. Restructured the business: Raised 2.5 million, decreased OPEX by 50% and increased MRR by 300% 2. Generated €2.0 Million gross revenue in 24 months 3. Closed 10 retail partnerships in 10 countries that generate an ARR of 30%

    • Founding Head of Product
      Aug 2017 - Jul 2020 · 3 yrs

      Primary responsibility: Leading the product, sourcing, quality, legal and retail business service team to successfully enable product launches at scale (MOQ 1.000 units each production round) Key milestones as Head of Product 1. Filled 5 patens and 3 trade marks that received approval in 3 continents (EU, US, Asia) 2. Created 600 prototypes between concept and proof of concept 3. Shipped 3.000 B2C / D2C products to 50 countries and generated 250 publications 4. Recruited 40 people in various role related to engineering, quality and business 5. Raised €5.2 million from 5x Angels, 1x VC, 1x Private Equity and 2x Family offices

    • Founding Head of Operation
      Sep 2015 - Aug 2017 · 2 yrs

      Primary responsibility: Setting up operation, UX design, marketing and tech teams to ensure customers are delighted to use. Key milestones as Head of Operation 1. Launched 2 Indiegogo campaigns that generated $336.000 + €2.3 million investment. 2. Realised 500 publications in 100 countries that generated PR value of 5 million eyeballs. 3. Ran 15 User Experience (UX) studies and correlated those data insights to define the concept requirements of Generation 1 MiniBrew product and services (Subscription model).

  • Founder & CEO at Exobrew
    Nov 2023 - Mar 2025 · 1 yr 5 mos

    Built a U.S. community and shipped the first batch of Exobrew without venture capital. Created a profitable, revenue-generating business from day one. Successfully exited Exobrew through a strategic consolidation into Minibrew.

  • Advisor Growth at Trickle
    Mar 2023 - Jul 2023 · 5 mos

    building the next AI-driven online workplace. The team realized top position on ProductHunt