SENIOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
MICHIEL KRAIJER
Meet Michiel Kraijer, our Business Development Manager – scout, strategist and innovation driver. If there’s one word that defines him, it’s curious. Not the kind of curiosity that just asks questions, but the kind that builds, challenges and reimagines. With an unconventional and rich background, Michiel brings a unique blend of scientific insight, strategic thinking, and entrepreneurial energy.
At BEACON, Michiel is here with a clear mission: to drive commercial growth in the Netherlands and expand BEACON’s impact in the coming years. His role is about setting direction while connecting BEACON’s strengths in innovation project management with the broader Verhaert Masters in Innovation offering. By doing so, he helps clients not only strengthen their core but also succeed in adjacent innovation, where opportunities often meet organizational friction.
“But he’s not doing it alone,” he emphasizes. “It’s a team effort, powered by shared goals and a drive to create meaningful impact.”
“INNOVATION DRIVES LONG-TERM VALUE CREATION”
A career built on creating what doesn’t yet exist
From feline medicine to future-focused innovation, Michiel’s career has always followed one instinct: build what doesn’t exist yet.
Originally trained as a veterinarian, he began in clinical practice and later specialized in feline medicine in Edinburgh. But it didn’t take long to realize he was drawn to something bigger than treating individual patients: he wanted to improve the system, reimagine the tools and connect the dots between science, strategy, and user experience.
That drive took him from Novartis to the Royal Canin (Mars Inc) head office in France, where he led cross-functional innovation projects across R&D, IT, supply chain, and marketing. From personalized pet nutrition to a new route to market and new product portfolios, his focus was always the same: how to deliver real value beyond the company’s core.
“Each shift in my career – from vet to animal pharma, from corporate to SME – was about finding places where I could build something new, and BEACON fits that perfectly.”
Turning vision into strategy
Michiel brings a strategic mindset that helps uncover opportunities others might overlook. His strength lies in bridging diverse teams – from technical experts to commercial and operational stakeholders – around shared, ambitious goals. With a clear focus on long-term innovation, he excels at aligning perspectives and turning visionary ideas into practical plans.
At BEACON, this means connecting the dots between project management and product innovation, helping clients not only manage capacity and expertise needs, but also unlock adjacent opportunities beyond their core business. His communication skills enable him to navigate complex stakeholder landscapes with clarity, ensuring everyone stays aligned and motivated throughout the process.
Personal insights
When he’s not mapping growth strategies or connecting with clients, you’ll likely find Michiel out on the water, sailing various waters with the sailing club he recently joined. Or he might be analyzing footwork and fight patterns, drawn in by his lifelong passion for boxing.
As martial artist since age 14, he’s trained in everything from Muay Thai to the Noble Art. What keeps him hooked? “It’s not just physical, it’s also considered a highly strategic sport. Developing your boxing IQ requires discipline and a continuous learning mindset.”
That same love for strategy, precision and challenge is what drives his approach in business development.
