At Solventure, growth isn’t just about numbers; it’s about people, opportunity, and the courage to build new bridges, even as we cross them. Few embody this spirit more than CTO Nick Verstraete, who celebrates 15 years of shaping Solventure’s journey.
Nick’s story began as a consultant navigating the ambiguity of early-stage offerings. Was Solventure about software implementation or consulting services? Nick: “The answer emerged through relentless prospecting, cold calls, and the thrill of every first-client meeting.
As Solventure grew, so did the need for defined roles, Nick recounts: “I transitioned from consultant to project manager, overseeing budgets and timelines, and eventually became Director of Service Delivery, managing a team of 20 to 25 consultants.” In true Solventure fashion, these roles were often created on the fly - “building the bridge while walking on it” - with Nick pioneering processes and structures that didn’t yet exist.
In 2019, the appointment of a Board of Directors marked a turning point. Nick: “It became clear that I was the primary bottleneck, involved in everything from presales to delivery. To figure out where I could deliver the most value, I chose to focus on the technical side of our offering, stepping into the newly created CTO role, as this is where I found the most energy.” For the past five years, Nick has led Solventure’s product vision, working with in-house developers to create innovative solutions that reflect our unique perspective.
Nick’s decision to join Solventure was driven by his passion for supply chain processes and the chance to make an immediate impact on what was then a startup environment. “Every three years, my role has changed,” Nick explains. “Sometimes formally, often in practice, reflecting the dynamic nature of a company that was rapidly evolving. Solventure’s caring culture makes this possible, creating opportunities for people to grow and reinvent themselves.”
For Nick, the real reward is working with passionate colleagues to write success stories for impressive clients, and watching people develop personally and professionally.
During the past 15 years, Solventure’s solutions have evolved from consulting expertise to a broad portfolio of products and services. Nick: “The company’s DNA, starting from process maturity and value creation, has led to digitalization, professionalization, and end-to-end client service. Today, our own products and expertise are central, with dedicated teams driving innovation for manufacturing clients.”
Looking ahead, Nick sees major steps in broadening Solventure’s offering, growing into end-to-end enterprise planning. “The goal is to double our number of employees, while maintaining the core caring culture of Solventure and creating opportunities for everyone. Technological evolution, especially in AI, is a key focus, with research tracks in engineering and sales exploring how AI and agents can further automate processes.”
Nick’s journey highlights what makes Solventure special: continuous professional development, real opportunities for advancement, and a culture that encourages building new bridges, even when the path isn’t clear. “At Solventure, growth is a shared journey, and every challenge is an invitation to reinvent ourselves.”