Proud of Family-run Businesses

In collaboration with MKB Limburg, the organisation for small and medium-sized businesses in the province, Maastricht University has set up a special project for family-led companies. The name is TOF, Trots op Familiebedrijven, which translates as Proud of Family-run Businesses. The project is designed for family-led businesses with up to 50 employees.

Almost 80% of Limburg SMEs are family-owned: 22,500 businesses in total, who collectively play a major part in the provincial economy and society. Growth strategy, innovation, succession and transfer are TOF’s main themes. In addition to organisation-related issues, TOF will focus on the things that make family-run businesses special: long-term vision, social involvement, the emotional dimension and family values.

On Thursday 18 March, the TOF project kicked-off with a webinar in which experienced Limburg entrepreneurs shared their experiences. Anita Van Gils, Associate Professor in Entrepreneurship and Family Business Management, presented the importance of strategy in this project rooted in co-creation. Watch the webinar here.

If you feel our expertise on entrepreneurship and family businesses can help you and your organisation get ahead, please get in touch and let’s start creating an impact together!