Curaçao Grows and Surprises
How Great!
Last week (November 2025) I visited Curaçao for the very first time. What an island. Not just beautiful, but alive, entrepreneurial and full of new energy. Some time ago the idea came up: organising a leadership journey together with Ondernemersreizen.nl. In Girona everything was ready, but the timing didn’t feel right. It’s simply a difficult period to excite corporate leaders for a multi-day leadership trip. So we decided to wait until 2026.
And then Ralph van Dam called me: “Will you join us in Curaçao? We already have a trip planned for entrepreneurs. Would you like to host a masterclass?” Of course. But one week on Curaçao naturally becomes more than one masterclass. I wanted to immerse myself fully in the programme, the group, the conversations and the island.
That is exactly what happened.
Curiosity, openness and sharpness moved hand in hand with kindness. That is the ideal mix for growth.
During the #Curaçaogroeit event — the next step of the well-known nlgroeit founded by Kees de Jong — I was invited to be the moderator. And one insight stayed with me: this island is buzzing. Not because of tourism alone, but because talent is returning and because entrepreneurs with a mission are driving meaningful initiatives.
And there’s something else happening: young professionals from Curaçao finishing their Dutch university degrees and then deliberately choosing to return and build on the island.
Travis returned after his career at Shell and, together with his brother Tyler, built a maritime company with multiple boats and catamarans. Later they grew it even further together with Jonathan. Kasper brings deep expertise in water and sustainability. Joël is building Sea Aquarium Curaçao and is also a shareholder in a successful AI scale-up. Gino and Mitchell are building future-proof digital agencies that compete and grow internationally. And the list goes on.
The drive is huge. The dreams are bold. And the pace is high.
Entrepreneurs from the Netherlands joined as well — people who look beyond their own borders.
Marien, who is creating impact with Lotgenoten at remarkable speed in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.
Wisse, who sold his e-commerce company and is ready for a new chapter. Simone, who focuses on senior professionals across the Benelux.
And Saskia, who leads NL Groeit and is now exploring what a movement like “Curaçao Groeit” could mean for the island.
I also met Curaçaoan entrepreneurs working on societal themes the island urgently needs. From entrepreneurs promoting sugar-free products in a country where diabetes is widespread, to families putting safety in construction high on the agenda — offering emergency response training, safety materials and on-site support for the many building projects currently moving at full speed. These are entrepreneurs who help Curaçao grow — not only economically, but in safety and health as well.
One entrepreneur who cannot be left unmentioned is Atilay from Corendon. His investments, commitment and belief in Curaçao’s future are remarkable. He is not just boosting tourism. This is real courage, real vision and above all: real love for the island.
I loved every moment. The conversations, the openness, the energy that arises when nobody tries to act bigger than they are. Curaçao has a new generation of entrepreneurs who don’t wait for permission — they start. And the island feels it. Cinex and AFAS understand this better than anyone.
I’m convinced this is only the beginning. Curaçao is growing — steadily, cleanly and with enormous potential. But one note is important. Who is thinking long and hard about infrastructure, staffing, quality of life? There is so much untapped potential when it comes to housing. Shouldn’t that be the priority, rather than building on every unused piece of land?
And yes… as a bonus I was there when Curaçao made it to the World Cup final. An island on the rise — in sport, in entrepreneurship and in energy.
Delen
Ineke Kooistra Blog & Articles
