Kasper Middelkoop

Kasper Middelkoop is an experienced entrepreneur and the Founder & CEO of Smiler, a company in the leisure and photography industry. Here's a brief overview of his background and recent achievements:

Professional Experience

Kasper Middelkoop has over 20 years of experience in the events and attractions industry.1 He is currently pursuing a new challenge tied to his passion for motorsport, which aligns with his role at Smiler.1

Smiler

Smiler is Kasper's current venture, which he founded and leads as CEO. The company operates in several key areas:

1. Photography Services: Smiler offers a global marketplace for booking photoshoots at iconic landmarks around the world.1

2. Event Photography: The company provides event photography services for corporate functions, including Christmas parties and New Year's drinks.3

3. Tourism Partnerships: Smiler has partnered with Big Bus Tours, a global leader in sightseeing experiences, indicating a strong presence in the tourism sector.2

Recent Achievements

• In June 2023, Smiler announced a funding round of $8.5 million led by Octopus Ventures.1
• The company launched a new website, Smiler.co, expanding its global reach.1
• As of June 2022, just 12 months after launch, Smiler had grown its team to over 40 people and received more than 9,000 applications from photographers.4

Recognition

Smiler has been recognized in the startup community. In February 2023, the company was in the running for "Startup van het Jaar 2023" (Startup of the Year 2023) in the Netherlands, alongside OpenUp and Quan.5

Kasper Middelkoop's leadership has been instrumental in Smiler's rapid growth and success in the competitive leisure and photography industry. His LinkedIn profile showcases his role in driving the company's expansion and securing significant investments.