Annemarie van Gaal

Annemarie van Gaal began her entrepreneurial career in Russia in the 1990s, where she built up the country’s largest independent publishing house during a turbulent period. In a market fraught with uncertainty, she learnt to adapt on a daily basis, spot opportunities, and devise unconventional solutions. In 2000, she sold her company and returned to the Netherlands, where she has since founded and led several successful businesses in sectors including media, retail and property.  

She is known to the general public from television programmes such as Dragon’s Den, Een Dubbeltje Op Zijn Kant, Crisis in de Tent and as a guest on various talk shows. She is also a columnist for publications including De Telegraaf and the author of several books. As a speaker, Annemarie captivates her audience with inspiring, accessible stories about entrepreneurship, focusing on courage, innovation, and thinking outside the box.