Meike Hendriks
U-Connect: the new platform for internationals in the Netherlands
News & awards
Temp & flex
Nov 5, 2024
It’s official: U-Connect is live! What started as an ambitious idea has now become reality. This platform by Undutchables is designed to connect multilingual internationals with employers throughout the Netherlands. Curious about how we went from concept to launch and what makes this new platform unique? Read on quickly!
Undutchables
Undutchables is the expert in connecting multilingual internationals with employers in the Netherlands. Since 1996, they have been making a difference in the recruitment world by bringing together highly educated international professionals and companies. And they do it well: each year they place hundreds of non-native speakers in various sectors, from marketing to finance. But despite niche expertise, much potential remained untapped. The demand for flexible freelancers and interim professionals among their target group was growing, and Undutchables did not want to miss this opportunity. With this idea in mind, they approached Freshheads: to build a platform that allows internationals to independently find freelance and interim assignments – without a recruiter always having to be involved.
About U-Connect
U-Connect is a new platform that connects multilingual internationals in the Netherlands with employers looking for freelancers and interim professionals. This platform specifically targets international interim professionals seeking temporary assignments in sectors such as marketing, communication, administration, IT, and finance. With U-Connect, Undutchables addresses the increasing demand from the market for flexible freelancers and interim professionals, establishing a whole new model for their existing target group. Through this self-service platform, internationals gain direct access to freelance assignments, significantly expanding their career opportunities in the Netherlands. With this new tool, Undutchables expands its market offer and optimizes the matching of candidates and employers.
“The cultures of Undutchables and Freshheads fit each other perfectly: efficient yet sociable”
From idea to platform within four weeks
The collaboration with Undutchables for the development of U-Connect felt like a perfect match from the start due to our similar no-nonsense mentality. The team from Undutchables was closely involved every step of the way, and thanks to the short lines and good connection, we were able to create a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) within four weeks to test their business case. Together, we held workshops to understand their processes and ambitions, providing us with the foundation to tailor the platform precisely to their target audience. The result? A platform that seamlessly matches supply and demand - a source of great pride for both teams. This is the true Freshheads approach: moving quickly, being flexible, and discovering what really works in practice.