David Vermeulen, founder & CEO Inner Circle: 'I believe nothing works right away, starting out was a bumpy road'

With offices in Amsterdam and London, David Vermeulen started the popular international online dating app Inner Circle eleven years ago. The CEO and founder of the Dutch company conquered the dating market with the credo: "quality dating for like-minded people. Over four million members later, it is time to conquer the South American market, opening offices in Argentina's Buenos Aires and Brazil's São Paolo. Who captured David's entrepreneurial heart? Who was his wheelbarrow?Text: Mical Joseph
Image: Inner Circle

What was your very first side job?

"My first side job was at the Gemeente Museum in The Hague. I was an attendant and had to make sure no one touched anything. No one wanted to do this job because it was pretty boring, so it got nice pay. When I went to study Business Administration in Groningen, I started 'De Groninger Studenten Sushi Catering' together with my business partner. This turned into a big drama, because at that time sushi was not at all as popular as it is now. There were a few students who ordered it, but that was really all there was to it!

After college, I entered the publishing world. I started at F1 Racing, then Maxim, FHM and Esquire. At the latter two, I was Leaf Manager and ran the marketing department."

How did you end up in your current job?

"After a while I left for London to work at Unibet. Here I was responsible for the Dutch market. At some point I started for myself in the English capital, I founded Sullivan' s List. An online platform where travel, events and lifestyle came together. This was briefly a collection of the hundred most beautiful events in the world. While running this platform, I was single and found out that there was really no one platform where singles met with the credo of "dating for like-minded people. In 2011, Inner Circle was a reality."

And the rest is history..?

"I believe nothing works right away, the start was a bumpy road. We were immediately active in Amsterdam and London and noticed that Amsterdam was relatively difficult at the beginning. People really had to be enthused, whereas in some other international cities it went much faster."

Do you see yourself as the calibration person for Inner Circle?

"Inner Circle was once created with the idea of developing a platform that I would use myself. I like to travel and eat out. On Inner Circle there is the possibility to indicate which countries you like to visit and you can also add your favorite restaurants and bars."

By the way, did you meet your wife through Inner Circle?

"I would have loved to say 'yes' to this , but unfortunately I did not meet my wife through Inner Circle. My wife and I met via via. So kind of an offline Inner Circle!"

Who was your wheelbarrow?

What is your greatest passion in your profession?

"The great thing about our work at Inner Circle is that we change lives in many people. We occasionally receive birth announcements and wedding cards from former members who met their true love through the app. That makes this work fun!"

What has been the biggest learning moment in your career?

"What I've learned throughout my career is that nothing goes the way you initially envision it. Everything goes differently and it doesn't really matter. Also, as an entrepreneur, you just have to go for something, not think too much. Just go!"

What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?

"If you have an idea, just try it. It doesn't matter if you fail. If you haven't tried, you'll never know what the end result is."

Have you been a wheelbarrow for anyone?

"I try to help young entrepreneurs with their start-ups and push them in the right direction. So with advice and investment, I want to help young talent to the next level."