About Benjamin van der Lande
Benjamin van der Lande is a Dutch entrepreneur, bestselling author, and fintech innovator whose visionary leadership has reshaped industries and inspired groundbreaking solutions.
As the co-founder of HenriPay Holding N.V. (formerly HB Holding N.V.), Benjamin has been instrumental in building a €4 billion powerhouse with diversified interests in construction, real estate, and financial technology. His efforts have positioned HenriPay at the forefront of innovation, empowering individuals and businesses with transformative financial tools.
Benjamin is the co-author of From Vaults to Clouds, written alongside Michael Rothschild and Maurice Adam Weber. The book, which became an Amazon bestseller, examines the rise of fintech and the evolving role of banks in society. His achievements have earned him recognition in prestigious outlets like Bloomberg and Forbes, solidifying his status as a thought leader in fintech.
Today, Benjamin continues to pioneer innovative solutions, inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs and redefining the boundaries of financial empowerment.
Benjamin van der Lande: Fintech Visionary, Bestselling Author, and Entrepreneur
Benjamin van der Lande is a Dutch entrepreneur, bestselling author, and fintech innovator whose visionary leadership has reshaped industries and inspired groundbreaking solutions. As the co-founder of HenriPay Holding N.V., formerly HB Holding N.V., Benjamin has played a pivotal role in creating a €4 billion powerhouse spanning construction, real estate, and financial technology. His achievements have earned him recognition as a thought leader in fintech and as a driving force behind innovative solutions that empower individuals and businesses alike.
The Hero’s Journey: From Teen Failure to Redemption
Benjamin’s entrepreneurial story began when he was just 15 years old, driven by youthful ambition and inspiration from brands like GymShark. He founded Brutal Lifters, an online shop selling print-on-demand fitness gear aimed at fitness enthusiasts. With a clear vision and a knack for marketing, Benjamin managed to create significant traction and generate impressive revenue. However, while the business flourished on the surface, his financial management skills were not yet developed.
Behind the scenes, Brutal Lifters was spiraling out of control. Operating expenses soared, margins narrowed, and unforeseen liabilities mounted. Eventually, the company collapsed under the weight of its financial mismanagement, leaving Benjamin devastated and facing €21,000 in debt—owed to customers, payment processors, and even his own parents. This failure was more than just a financial blow; it was a deeply humbling life lesson.
But instead of giving up, Benjamin made a decision that would define his future. He vowed to repay every cent and rebuild from the ashes of his failed dream. The experience became his greatest teacher, igniting a relentless drive to prove himself and succeed where he had once fallen short.
The Comeback: Building a Successful Online Retailer
Armed with invaluable lessons from his first venture, Benjamin launched a new online retail company, applying the insights he had gained through trial and error. This time, he leveraged his growing expertise in state-of-the-art digital advertising techniques, optimizing campaigns to drive targeted traffic and convert customers efficiently.
Benjamin also honed his skills in managing complex overseas operations, ensuring streamlined logistics and supply chain efficiency across multiple markets. His ability to implement scalable e-commerce strategies and operational frameworks was instrumental in the company’s rapid growth.
Through disciplined execution and relentless effort, Benjamin transformed the venture into a thriving business. After years of hard work and persistence, he achieved a significant milestone by successfully selling the company—proving to himself that he was capable of not only recovering from a major failure but also building and selling a successful business. This accomplishment solidified his position as a seasoned entrepreneur capable of navigating and mastering the challenges of modern e-commerce.
A Meeting of Minds at the Gym
During this phase of his life, Benjamin met Maurice Adam Weber at the gym. Both passionate fitness enthusiasts, they quickly bonded over their shared commitment to fitness and became workout buddies. Their friendship soon revealed something even more significant: they complemented each other perfectly as a team. Maurice’s technical expertise and entrepreneurial grit aligned seamlessly with Benjamin’s strategic vision and leadership.
Recognizing their synergy, Benjamin joined Crebos Solutions, the software engineering company Maurice had founded. Through a buy-in, Benjamin demonstrated his confidence in the company’s potential and took on the role of President, working alongside Maurice to scale the business.
Building Global Impact at Crebos Solutions
With their combined efforts, Benjamin and Maurice transformed Crebos Solutions into an international powerhouse. They established a global presence with offices in India, Indonesia, Australia, and the Netherlands, creating a trusted partner for Fortune 500 companies such as Disney, European giants like Philips, and even the Dutch government. Crebos Solutions became known for its excellence in delivering cutting-edge innovation and software solutions, cementing its position as a market leader.
During their time at Crebos, the duo spearheaded multiple large-scale fintech projects, giving them unique insights into the gaps and opportunities in the financial technology landscape. Realizing the potential to create a transformative solution, they began transitioning Crebos to an autonomous management team, freeing themselves to focus on their next groundbreaking venture: revolutionizing personal finance and financial literacy through fintech.
Founding HenriPay Holding N.V.
Benjamin co-founded HenriPay Holding N.V., formerly HB Holding N.V., a publicly traded financial management holding company. The company is listed on the German Stock Exchange under the ISIN NL0015000NA2, achieving a market cap of €4 billion. Its diversified portfolio spans construction, real estate, and fintech, reflecting its strategic approach to innovation and growth.
One of HenriPay Holding N.V.’s most notable achievements came in Morocco, where it played a pivotal role in the development of key projects in Nador, Atalayoun. Valued at over 800 million dirhams, the project was spearheaded by Marchica Med, a state-backed agency. Benjamin, alongside Maurice and CEO Henri Broen, negotiated this transformative deal, earning the company international acclaim and establishing it as a trusted partner in large-scale development.
Revolutionizing Fintech with Henri
Among Benjamin’s most impactful ventures is Henri, a neo-banking product designed to democratize financial literacy and empower users. HenriPay Holding N.V. launched Henri as a solution for the modern financial landscape, blending cutting-edge technology with user-focused innovation.
Henri combines features such as:
- Gamified learning tools, offering Duolingo-style education on financial topics.
- Financial management solutions, providing users with greater control over their finances.
- Innovative group payment systems, including the Henri group card, which allows multiple users to share one card without upfront cash balances—perfect for families, student groups, or sports teams.
Henri has been celebrated for making financial literacy accessible, particularly to younger generations. The platform’s visionary approach has positioned Benjamin as a fintech pioneer with the mission to positively impact the financial health of over 1 billion people.
Innovating Beyond Banking
HenriPay Holding N.V. is also the driving force behind the ‘frictionless bars’ concept, first implemented in the Amsterdam Johan Cruyff ArenA. This revolutionary solution reduced workforce requirements from 45 to just 8 bartenders per bar while increasing revenue by an impressive 85%, showcasing Benjamin’s ability to merge technology with operational efficiency.
From Vaults to Clouds: A Bestseller
Benjamin added “bestselling author” to his list of achievements with the publication of “From Vaults to Clouds,” co-written with Michael Rothschild and Maurice Adam Weber. The book explores how the 2008 financial crisis accelerated fintech innovation, transforming traditional banking into a dynamic digital ecosystem.
The book received widespread acclaim for its in-depth analysis and forward-thinking insights, quickly becoming a bestseller and further cementing Benjamin’s growing influence in the financial world.
A Legacy of Empowerment
Benjamin’s work goes beyond business success—he is on a mission to transform the lives of over 1 billion people by providing them with the tools and knowledge to achieve financial fitness. His ventures have redefined industries, and his innovations continue to inspire bold thinking and meaningful change.
With a €4 billion company under his leadership, a bestselling book to his name, and a relentless drive to innovate, Benjamin van der Lande is well on his way to becoming one of the most influential figures in the world of fintech and beyond.
