24th Roparun

Nelli Cooman opens trading leading up to 24th Roparun

Nelli Cooman, ambassador of the Roparun Foundation and former world champion 60 metres indoor, opens trading leading up to the 24^th Roparun.

The Roparun is a relay race of more than 500 kilometres from Paris and Hamburg to Rotterdam, in which people work as a team to give a combined sports performance in order to raise money for people who suffer from cancer.

The Roparun will start Saturday 16 May in Hamburg and Paris and finishes on 25 May, Whit Monday, on the Coolsingel in Rotterdam. A Roparun team is made up of around 25 people with a maximum of eight runners, who each run an average of about 65 kilometres. Besides the runners, a team includes a number of supporting members such as drivers, medics, caterers and road captains.

Besides the physical challenge, the team must also make an effort to raise money for the cause. Teams do this by organising various activities including bag packing at supermarkets, washing cars, collecting donations and looking for sponsors. The team members must also sell Roparun raffle tickets, the proceeds of which go to the charity. The three teams who raise the most money and the six teams who win prizes for their running speed are honoured during the final celebration of the Roparun, which takes place a few weeks after the finish. On that evening, the total amount of money raised by the Roparun will also be announced. Over the past twenty-three editions of the Roparun, more than sixty-two million euros have been raised for people suffering from cancer.

For more information: www.roparun.nl

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USG People celebrates launch of Online Business Solutions by sounding gong

Hans van Rijnswoud, Director of Adver-Online, opens the Amsterdam stock exchange on Interim Staff Day. Ceremonially, USG People launches its Online Business Solutions today in the presence of Rob Zandbergen, CEO of USG People, Jan Peter Tulip, Director Netwerven, and Steve Sichtman, Director Blue Carpet.

In the HR sector, innovation and technology applications play an increasingly important role. USG People meets these demands and has recently acquired interests in Adver-Online, Netwerven and Blue Carpet, three young technology driven companies that have already successfully acquired a position in online HR services.

The Online Business Solutions are propositions with strong technology-driven applications. This enables USG People to develop new online business models and also act as an enabler for the digital transformation of existing operations. These business solutions enable customers to optimize their human resources processes. USG People is constantly looking for the best way to bind together employers and employees, and to further develop the added value for the labor market.

For more information: www.usgpeople.com

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Shell Eco-marathon

Shell Eco-marathon celebrates 30th anniversary by sounding gong

From 21 to 24 May 2015, Ahoy Rotterdam will host an event to showcase technology: Shell Eco-marathon, one of the world’s most challenging student competitions in innovation, technology and sustainability. The nail-biting contest between 220 student teams is all about who can drive the longest distance with a self-constructed vehicle on one litre of fuel. This year’s edition marks the 30^th anniversary of the event. As in previous years, the contest will coincide with the Powering Progress Together (PPT) forum and the Shell Energy Lab.

On 21 May, there will be a discussion entitled ‘The Technology Factor’ between representatives from the business community, education and government and, last but not least, young people themselves about the vital importance of education in technology for the future of the Netherlands. At the Shell Energy Lab (21-24 May) over 40,000 children aged 6 to 13 will together with their teacher or parents discover how diverse and exciting science and technology can be.

Students of team H2A of the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences sound the gong at the Amsterdam exchange. The team won in the prototype hydrogen category in 2014.

For more information: www.shell.nl/ecomarathon

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National Investors Survey is opened by sounding of the gong

By sounding the gong at Euronext Amsterdam, VEB and beurswijzer.com declare the national investors inquiry “Hoe Belegt Nederland?” (How does Holland Invest) to be opened. This large scale survey amongst Dutch investors is conducted bi-annually. Over 60.000 investors have been invited to participate in this survey. 

VEB and beurswijzer.com would like to know why and how people are investing and their expectations in this regard for the near future. Topics of interest are the investors risk appetite, the preference for bonds or stocks and the costs of investing.

The results will be published in Effect, the monthly magazine of the VEB and at the website of beurswijzer.com.

The VEB (Vereniging van Effecten Bezitters) represents the interest of private investors. Beurswijzer.com is an online investor magazine of Mediafin, the publisher of Belgian newspaper De Tijd.

For more information:  www.veb.net

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Knab celebrated New York Celent Digital Bank Award by sounding gong

Online bank Knab won the Celent Digital Bank Award 2015 in New York, because the bank is taking the lead in innovative digital banking. The online bank is the first Dutch bank to win this award. The international prize is awarded annually to banks that stand out in the effective use of technology in a specific field. The award is celebrated with sounding the gong by the co-founder of Knab, Marcel Kalse.

Rene Frijters, founder and director of Knab, accepted the award in New York at a gathering with all the nominees: "We stand out in the Netherlands because of our totally different approach. But that we are seen internationally as a progressive bank is very special. Because 100% online banks are being set up around the world. And they put the banking sector in motion everywhere. It is nice to see that we, as a small player, are also internationally praised for our innovative approach. Knab does not operate from the idea 'technology first'. We want to make banking easier, smarter and more fun. And the technology makes this possible. "

For more information:  www.knab.nl

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DPA Group

New CFO of DPA Group visits Beursplein 5

Stefan Heesakkers has been appointed as CFO of DPA Group N.V. (ticker symbol DPA) and opens trading on Beursplein 5. The General Meeting of Shareholders of DPA agreed at the annual meeting on 23 April 2015 to appoint Stefan Heesakkers as a member of the Board of Directors and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the company.

The appointment of Stefan Heesakkers is related to the increasing scale of the company, the greatly increased span of control of the members of the Board of Directors, and the plans for growth. Stefan Heesakkers has been involved at DPA as Finance Director since 2012. In this role, he has implemented improved financial reporting and was jointly responsible for the acquisition of CreditForce Professionals, Ingenieursbureau Technipower, Cauberg-Huygen Raadgevende Ingenieurs, and the consultancy Fagro. Stefan previously worked as an investment analyst at HAL Capital Management and as a consultant and partner at the corporate finance firm SpringFinance. He also held financial and advisory positions at the telecommunications company Scarlet, Sahara International Ventures, and via Cruysbergen Entrepreneurial Consultancy.

The DPA Group focuses on the provision of high-quality recommendations, the sustainable and flexible deployment of specialized professionals, and the development of knowledge and expertise. DPA offers solutions for innovation and change programmes, projects, complex issues, and temporary replacement.

For more information: www.dpa.nl

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National Day of Nursing Care

 Sounding of the gong marks National Day of Nursing Care

On the birthday of Florence Nightingale, founder of the nursing profession, nurses and carers celebrate National Day of Nursing Care.

This year, the Florence Nightingale Institute, Centre for the History of Nursing and the V&VN (the Professional Society for Nurses and Carers in the Netherlands) present a new flag for National Day of Nursing Care. Last year, a competition was held for a contemporary design. Through this new flag, the two organisations wish to emphasise the importance of National Day of Nursing Care for the next fifty years. The jury unanimously chose the entry by Bas Kinsbergen, whose design represents nursing as the light between humanity and technology.

Eline de Kok, who is a nurse and a nursing scientist working at the UMC Utrecht and at the V&VN, will sound the gong to call attention to the strength of nurses and carers in society.

For more information:www.fni.nl and www.venvn.nl

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Marktgevoel

Marktgevoel launches market updates via WhatsApp

By sounding the gong investors website Marktgevoel.nl celebrates the launch of its newest service; free market updates via WhatsApp. Executive director and stock trader Selwyn Duijvestijn opens trading.

Selwyn Duijvestijn is the first market expert who shares his expertise with other investors via WhatsApp. To receive the market updates,  add the Marktgevoel telephone number 00 31 6 - 319 276 61 to your contacts and send ‘MG ON’ via WhatsApp.

Marktgevoel was founded for active investors on the stock market and is managed by a team of professional traders, located at the Amsterdam trading floor. The Marktgevoel traders are constantly scanning the markets, hunting for the most promising stocks of the moment and provide an extensive report of their findings on Marktgevoel.nl, in the Marktgevoel investors magazine and via the new WhatsApp service.

For more information: www.marktgevoel.nl/whatsapp

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Sounding of the gong to announce Benelux Tech Tour

Patrick Polak, Co-President of the Benelux Tech Tour, and a group of emerging Dutch high-tech entrepreneurs visit Beursplein 5 to announce the Benelux Tech Tour event happening in May.

The Benelux Tech Tour is an initiative of the Tech Tour and organising partners iMinds and Startups.be, and brings together the next wave of innovative winners from the Benelux region, with the investors who will potentially back them. This year’s event will take place in Brussels, Antwerp and Rotterdam from 19-21 May.

75 high-tech emerging and growth companies will have the chance to present to and meet with European and International investors, Corporates, Government representatives, Industry advisors and media. The event will also feature 10 high-tech entrepreneur Benelux Success Stories including; AED Rent, Amplidata, Cmosis and Materialise, Mendix, Collibra, and Mirror42.

Young entrepreneurial companies from the region who have presented at previous editions of the event have together raised more than €170M for their businesses.

For more information:  www.techtour.com/benelux

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Executive Committee and Supervisory Board Philips visit Beursplein 5

Royal Philips Chief Executive Officer Frans van Houten opens trading at Beursplein 5 by sounding the gong. Shareholders of Philips will convene later today for the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders in the Beurs van Berlage, near the Euronext building in Amsterdam. One of the agenda items is the proposal to approve the separation of the Lighting business from Royal Philips. The Annual General Meeting of Shareholders of Philips is scheduled to start at 2 PM.

For more information:  www.philips.com

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Galapagos celebrates 10-year listing anniversary by sounding gong

Galapagos NV (ticker symbol: GLPG) sounds the gong to celebrate 10 years as a listed company.

Ten years ago, on 5 May 2005, Galapagos completed its initial public offering with a dual listing in Amsterdam and Brussels. Since then, Galapagos has grown from 70 to over 400 employees and to €1.2 billion in market capitalization.

Galapagos is a clinical-stage biotechnology company specialized in the discovery and development of small molecule medicines with novel modes of action. The Galapagos Group, including fee-for-service subsidiary Fidelta, has approximately 400 employees, operating from its Mechelen, Belgium headquarters and facilities in The Netherlands, France, and Croatia.

Galapagos forms part of the Amsterdam Midcap Index and Brussels BelMid Index. Galapagos recently reported positive results with its JAK1 inhibitor filgotinib in the DARWIN 1 and DARWIN 2 trials in nearly 900 rheumatoid arthritis patients worldwide; this was one of the research programs co-funded by the IPO in 2005.

For more information: www.glpg.com

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Foundation Stofwisselkracht open trading

Foundation Stofwisselkracht and Team Axel open trading to call attention to the Stofwisseltour 2015. Axel Driëenhuizen sounds the gong.

From 19 – 21 June, bicycle racing teams participate in the Stofwisseltour through the Netherlands. Each team will cycle on behalf of a sick or deceased child. The purpose of the tour is to call attention to metabolic disorders and raises money for research.

Each year, around 800 children are diagnosed with a metabolic disorder in The Netherlands. There is currently no treatment for many of these metabolic disorders, leaving many children developing severe mental and physical disabilities. More than half of the children dies before they are 18 years old.

Foundation Stofwisselkracht joins forces with parents, patients, doctors, researchers and volunteers to fight against metabolic diseases. Through sports and social events and activities, the foundation raises funds for research.

For more information: www.stofwisselkracht.nl

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Gong for national commemoration of Remembrance Day

The National Committee 4 and 5 May sounds the gong for national commemoration of Remembrance Day.

On May 4 at 8 PM, a two-minute silence is observed. This is made possible by a strong involvement of the business community, who widely respect the national commemoration of Remembrance Day.  No airplanes will land at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport between 7:45 PM and 8:15 PM, public transport operators will come to a standstill and hotels and restaurants observe the silence.

"The National Committee 4 and 5 May is delighted that 70 years after the end of World War II, business proves itself so involved," said Ms Leemhuis, chairman of the National Committee 4 and 5th.

The 4 and 5 May torch is the national symbol of remembrance and celebration in the Netherlands. The torch, as a sticker or broche, can be worn from 28 April to 5 May to show commemoration and celebration. For the occasion of 70 years after the end of World War II, young designers collective MOAM has developed special items; a tie, sweater and silver chain. Like the torch stickers and broches, these limited editions are offered at cost price and are available in the web shop of the committee.

For more information: www.4en5mei.nl

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Neways

Renewed Neways board of directors visits Euronext Amsterdam

The renewed Neways board of directors (ticker symbol: NEWAY), led by CEO Mr. Huub van der Vrande, opens trading on Euronext Amsterdam by sounding the gong. 

Neways is an international one-stop provider for advanced and integrated electronic components, compounds and complete operating systems. Neways is active in the Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS) market and has a top 5 market position in Europe. Neways products are used in sectors such as the semiconductor, medical, automotive, telecom and defence industries.

In addition to Mr. Van der Vrande, the board consists of Mr. Adrie van Bragt (COO) who was appointed member of the Board of Directors of Neways at the beginning of the 2015. Mr. Van Bragt has been employed at Neways since 1992 in various roles.  On 17 April of this year, Mr. Paul de Koning was appointed as member of the board of directors and CFO of Neways.

For more information:  www.neways.nl

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World Wish Day

Make a Wish Netherlands sounds the gong for World Wish Day

Karin Wiebenga, member of the Make-A-Wish Bizz Breakfast from the Duin- and Bollenstreek, sounds the gong for World Wish Day together with volunteers of Make-A-Wish The Netherlands.

Every year on 29 April, Make-A-Wish celebrates World Wish Day all over the world. In 1980 the first wish was granted for 7-year old Chris. His dearest wish was being a cop. The whole village showed enthusiasm to fulfil his wish. Make-A-Wish The Netherlands, formerly Doe Een Wens, exists since 1989 and annually fulfills more than 500 dearest wishes of children between 3 and 18 years with a life-threatening illness. A wish fulfillment means the world for these children and provides them and their entire family with strength and energy for the future.

For more information: www.makeawishnederland.org

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The Next Entrepreneur 2015

MKB Nederland and Rabobank kick off The Next Entrepreneur 2015

To support and increase the chances of success for (potential) startups, Rabobank and MKB Nederland organize The Next Entrepreneur (TNE) for the fourth consecutive year. New entrepreneurs can register for the TNE Award, TNE Academy and/or TNE Event.

The opening of trading marks the launch of this campaign. Richard van de Merwe, Director businesses of Rabobank Bollenstreek.

For more information: www.thenextentrepreneur.nl

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King’s Day

The Amsterdam exchange turns orange as Frank Kuyper, chairman of the “ Amstelveen Oranje” foundation, and Mayor of Amstelveen, Mirjam van ‘t Veld, open trading by sounding the gong.

Amstelveen Orange received the honor of the gong ceremony as a thank you for the organization of King's Day 2014 in Amstelveen, the first King's Day since the succession in 2013, in the presence of the Royal Family. The organization represents the Royal Union of Orange Committees (Koninklijke Bond van Oranjeverenigingen), with independent committees throughout the Netherlands to organize and/or facilitate local street fairs and parties on the widely celebrated national holiday of King's Day.

Frank Kuyper of Amstelveen Orange: "It has been an honor and privilege to have prepared the royal visit for the country’s nationwide viewers. The collaboration with the municipality was excellent and we are therefore pleased that Mayor Van 't Veld is joining us. We symbolically hand over the baton to the city of Dordrecht, this year’s host of the King’s Day Royal visit. We wish all Orange Associations in the Netherlands and the public a great day. "

For more information: www.oranjebond.nl

Trefi Finance

EnterNext welcomes bond issue for Trefi Finance

EnterNext, the Euronext subsidiary designed to promote and grow the market for SMEs, welcomes the bond issue for Trefi Finance, an alternative financier of working capital for small and medium-sized enterprises. This is the first bond issue making use of EnterNext’s initiative specifically designed to simplify SMEs’ access to capital and provide a broader investor base for Belgian and Dutch family businesses and entrepreneurs that was launched last week.  

Trefi Finance celebrates the bond issue by having their Fund Manager Florus van Herpt sound the gong which denotes the opening of trading.

For more information: www.trefi.nl

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