Geerlig Riemerprijs IVA 2024 - CarCollect

Summary

Lef, a successful IVA alumnus and CEO of Car Collect, shared his inspiring entrepreneurial journey, highlighting the importance of networking and seizing opportunities. He transitioned from aspiring footballer to business leader after discovering his passion for the automotive industry. Car Collect, a software platform connecting dealers and leasing companies, has facilitated the sale of over 60,000 cars across Europe. Lef emphasized 'driven by connection' as a core principle, encouraging others to aim high and learn from setbacks while creating value for all stakeholders in the automotive market.

Takeaways

• 🎓 Lef van der Eng graduated from IVA in 2016 and has since started his own company, Car Collect.
• 🚗 Car Collect connects automotive businesses on a single platform, facilitating the sale of over 60,000 cars this year alone.
• 🤝 The importance of networking and building relationships is emphasized as a core part of the entrepreneurial journey.
• 🛠️ Lef's journey into the automotive industry was influenced by a chance visit to a car dealership and encouragement from an old student.
• 📈 Car Collect is a software solution that enables dealers and leasing companies to manage their B2B trading fleets effectively.
• 💡 A key lesson from Lef is that selling starts with understanding purchasing; effective sales require comprehensive knowledge of the buying process.
• 🌍 The platform allows scalability, enabling Car Collect to expand operations across multiple countries, including the UK and the US.
• 📊 Data collection from users helps the platform identify potential buyers for specific vehicles, enhancing transaction opportunities.
• 🚀 Continuous growth is evident, with significant milestones achieved, such as expanding into eight countries in a short period.
• 🤗 Lef emphasizes the importance of making connections, helping others, and maintaining a positive outlook, even when faced with challenges.

Q & A

What was Lef's initial career interest before pursuing his current business?

Initially, Lef was interested in football and wanted to pursue a career in commercial economics. He had plans to become involved in football, but his path changed after a recommendation to attend the IFA.

How did Lef's encounter with Sam Van Dalen influence his career direction?

Sam Van Dalen, an old student of IFA, encouraged Lef to attend the IFA and explore the automotive industry. This advice led Lef to reconsider his career and eventually start his own business in the automotive sector.

What is Car Collect and how does it benefit the automotive industry?

Car Collect is a B2B software platform that helps automotive businesses manage their remarketing and trade fleets. It allows dealerships, leasing companies, and importers to manage vehicle sales more efficiently by connecting them with potential buyers across Europe, leading to quicker deals and better prices.

What key lesson did Lef learn from his experience with vehicle pricing and sales?

Lef learned the importance of reaching out to multiple potential buyers to get the best price for a vehicle. By contacting a wider network of dealers, he realized that higher offers could be achieved, leading to the idea of creating a platform that connects buyers and sellers across Europe.

What motivated Lef to start his own company, Car Collect?

Lef was motivated by the realization that he could create a platform that connects automotive businesses more efficiently, allowing them to reach better offers and deals. His experience with vehicle trading and sales led him to envision a digital platform that could streamline this process.

How has Car Collect scaled its operations over the years?

Car Collect has grown significantly, expanding to operate in multiple countries across Europe. By using a scalable software platform, they have been able to quickly integrate into new markets and handle large volumes of transactions, with over 60,000 vehicles sold on the platform annually.

What did Lef mean by 'driven by connection' in the context of his business?

Lef's phrase 'driven by connection' refers to how Car Collect focuses on creating smart connections between supply and demand in the automotive industry. By connecting dealers and buyers efficiently, the platform helps generate higher offers and faster deals.

What advice did Lef offer to aspiring entrepreneurs?

Lef advised aspiring entrepreneurs to keep trying and not be discouraged by setbacks. He emphasized the importance of connecting with people who can help, making people happy, and continuously pursuing goals, even if success takes time.

How does Car Collect use data to improve its platform?

Car Collect collects data from thousands of businesses to track their behaviors and interactions with the platform. This data allows them to predict which buyers may be interested in specific vehicles, ensuring that dealers get the best possible offers for their cars.

What was Lef's proudest moment with Car Collect so far?

One of Lef's proudest moments was when students in a college class were actively bidding on vehicles through Car Collect, showing that the platform had become widely used and integrated into the automotive industry, making it a successful and functioning tool for trade.