In conversation with the client: Christiaan van der Ven, co-founder of Budlr, a social service provider
Budlr B.V. was founded in 2018. The company focuses on improving financial care for employees of companies and residents of municipalities through innovative technology and personal service.
Their mission is to lower the barriers to seeking help for financial problems. They provide a complete package to municipalities and employers who can benefit from financial support.
Since when has the collaboration with ByeleX existed?
We started in 2020. At the time of founding, we developed a prototype ourselves, and about two years later, we began redeveloping the platform. That’s when ByeleX got involved. Thanks to Roel Wolfert, a cousin of a co-founder, we connected with ByeleX. The question was whether we wanted to hire developers or opt for a different model. ByeleX had the knowledge and expertise and had previously entered similar collaborations, where they share in the success. That’s what we were looking for when building a scalable SaaS platform. It provides peace of mind to have a strong team behind you that can act quickly, think along, and has all the necessary expertise.
For those who don’t yet know you, what exactly do you do?
Budlr is a digital platform that provides financial support for people experiencing financial stress. In collaboration with municipalities and employers, we help residents and employees manage their financial concerns, such as wage garnishment or problematic debts. Through the Budlr platform, they gain insight into their situation and receive direct assistance. If needed, we offer guidance through our coaches, whom we call Budlrs.
Budlr primarily works with employers in industries where the risk of financial stress is relatively high, such as cleaning and security. We also collaborate with partners like AON. ArboNed, a client of ByeleX, would, for example, fit well in this group. They use occupational physicians to proactively assess the health of their clients’ employees and address issues if necessary. Adding follow-up care for employees with financial stress would align well with that.
With today’s skyrocketing prices, more people are facing financial problems. An opportunity for Budlr?
Absolutely, more and more employers are dealing with this. Of the total working population, 47% of employees (approximately 4,500,000 workers) are in a financially vulnerable situation. This group experiences stress or physical complaints, which can lead to reduced productivity or higher absenteeism. We work closely with employers and municipalities to offer support to this group. The package is easy to use; users don’t need to arrange anything themselves—our Budlrs take care of that. However, there are still mental barriers; some employees hesitate to disclose their problems to their employer due to shame.
How does Budlr experience the collaboration with ByeleX?
There were some challenges at the start, and the collaboration now runs very smoothly, and ByeleX is a valuable extension of our product development. We understand each other well, and our issues are addressed effectively. This creates stability and peace of mind, which is also beneficial for our clients.
Privacy
Budlr is also satisfied with privacy matters. ByeleX takes a critical approach to its setup. Naturally, all the data we collect is securely protected and only accessible to the employee, resident, or the support worker.
How did you come up with the idea to start Budlr?
We noticed that financial care services, especially during the onboarding phase, left much to be desired. There was a lot of paperwork, bureaucracy, and multiple contact points. We thought, “There is an easier way to do this.” As entrepreneurs, we find it rewarding to combine a healthy business model with social impact.
ByeleX considers this a great initiative that shows successful entrepreneurship and societal value can go hand in hand.
For more information about Budlr., contact Christiaan van der Ven at: christiaan@budlr.nl or tel. +31 651 090 756.
