Having skin in the Game – why employee stock option plans work

Unlocking Employee Equity: A Dual Strategy for Engagement and Growth

The Amsterdam-based startup was set up by Michiel, along with his two friends Tom and Eric in 2018. Since then it has gone on to become one of Europe’s fastest-growing online-only supermarket apps for fresh and affordable food.

It was Michiel’s passion for food that inspired him to launch the business, though his journey wasn’t always necessarily leading to this point.

“Before Crisp I worked for Albert Heijn and Ahold. I was mainly involved with financial accounting, modelling and later on financial management. Then I moved to the more strategic side, so commerce strategies and five years plans.

“I started working at Albert Heijn because I went through the economic school at the University of Amsterdam. The holy grail for economic students is mergers and acquisitions, so I started in that after my studies, but quickly realised this is not my holy grail.

“There’s no physical product and I experienced an individual performance focus, less than a team focus. There weren’t many deals, the atmosphere in the office wasn’t great and I thought to myself, wow this is not my cup of tea.