Will your business be successful in 5 years?

KVK has developed the Toekomst Canvas based on customer research among entrepreneurs. It helps you move forward in 4 areas: business structure, secure entrepreneurship, productivity and personnel, and financial health.

After completing the canvas, you will know for each topic:

• what your biggest challenge is,
• what your next step is,
• who can help you with this.

Download the Toekomst Canvas (in Dutch).

Toekomst Canvas explained

Secure business

What risks and threats are there for your business? For your staff, suppliers, and customers? Think of phishing, data leaks, AI fraud, or human error. Digital security is essential for future-proof business. Did you know, for example, that two-thirds of entrepreneurs consult AI first and only then an accountant (in Dutch)? AI offers opportunities, but also risks. Criminals also make use of it. They are becoming increasingly sophisticated, making them more difficult to recognise.

Doing business safely means being prepared for the unexpected. Where can you better protect your business? Write down your answers in the Toekomst Canvas.
Evi Gimbrère (relations manager at Digital Trust Center (DTC)) gives 5 concrete tips on how to strengthen your digital resilience in the video.

Financial health

Financial health means that you can finance both setbacks and growth. That starts with insight: know what comes in, what goes out, and what risks you run. Also consider how you organise your money. Do you keep your personal and business finances separate? Do you cover deficits with personal savings or loans from family? A healthy financial foundation gives peace of mind, clarity, and the freedom to do business with confidence. It allows you to pay your current bills and realise your dreams for the future.

In the video, KVK adviser Christiaan Hazelaar talks about financing options. And how to increase your chances of success when applying for financing. With a well-founded plan, knowledge of the conditions and a realistic forecast. Read more about the possibilities in the Financing Guide.

Productivity and personnel

What do you and your employees need to work efficiently, now and in the future? Technology can speed up tasks and improve processes, but ultimately it is people who make the difference. Investing in productivity therefore means investing not only in systems, but above all in knowledge, collaboration, and job satisfaction.
A well-designed workplace, clear processes, and modern tools help to save time and reduce errors. But you also need committed and well-trained people. Give them the space to learn, take initiative, and contribute ideas for improvements. This will increase efficiency and motivation.

In this video, Jessie Koen (senior scientist at TNO) talks about how technology and people make for a stronger combo. With the right balance between innovation and development, your business will be ready for growth and resilient to changes in the market.

Business structure

When considering your business structure, think of a clear organisation in which everyone knows:

• who does what.
• who has which responsibilities.

If there is too much work, delegate some tasks. This will give you more time to focus on growth and strategy and less on day-to-day operations. Also consider the legal aspects. Does your current legal structure still suit the size and risks of your business? As you grow, a different structure or form of cooperation may be better from a fiscal, legal, or organisational point of view.

In this video, KVK adviser Sergej Schuurman explains how the legal structure of your business (eenmanszaak or BV) protects you against risks. And how a clear business structure creates order. This is how you build a business that is scalable, future-proof, and less dependent on you as an entrepreneur. Read more about the BV, the legal structure with less private risk.

In practice

After completing the Toekomst Canvas, you will have insight into your challenge and the actions you want to take. Start with the action that will benefit you the most or that is most necessary. Do you need help? Feel free to call a KVK business advisor on: 088 585 22 22, and sign up for the email series KVK Business Compass.