FundsUp spoke with Thom Nierop, who, together with Emiel van Dongen, developed Helprr—a platform that connects people needing help with small tasks to hobbyists and professionals in their area.
The platform aims to provide a social and efficient solution that benefits both those seeking help and those offering their skills. The discussion covers their approach, vision, challenges, successes, and advice for other startup founders.
A Dutch version of this article can be read on the website of our partner: Emerce.
Thom, what is your background, and how did you come up with this idea?
“I have a background in business administration and strategy, and I also work as an IT business consultant. The idea actually came about when I was a student living in Leiden and had to rely on myself. Sometimes, I needed to do things around the house, like installing a curtain rail, but I realized I didn’t always have the right tools, skills, or time. I thought, ‘Why not ask my neighbor, whom I saw working on a project before? That would be more efficient and social.’ That idea became the foundation of Helprr.”
When did your co-founder Emiel join?
“I quickly brought Emiel on board because of his strong technical skills. Together, we explored how to set up this concept. Eventually, we built an app that has now been live for a year.”
How did you validate the market for your idea?
“We wanted to see if people actually needed help with small tasks. The answer was ‘yes.’ On the other hand, we wondered whether handymen would be interested. Professionals tend to focus on bigger projects for financial security, leaving small jobs underserved. This was our opportunity to connect both groups.
We started with a website and gained some traction and feedback. Based on that, we quickly transitioned to an app. Emiel built it himself, while I focused on everything else.”
How does the platform work?
“The idea is simple. Someone posts a task on our app, such as ‘hanging a painting.’ Nearby handymen receive a notification and can respond. Within 24 hours, the user usually has multiple options: a professional for a higher price or a hobbyist around the corner who might do it for a small fee. The user chooses who they want to hire, making the process flexible and accessible to everyone.”
Who are your users?
“We focus on small tasks and hobbyists, but we also attract self-employed professionals. Many of them use our platform to fill gaps in their schedule. For example, if they have free time between two larger projects, they can take on a small task through our app. This creates a diverse user base.”
What is the vision behind the platform?
“Our vision is to create an all-in-one platform for home improvement tasks. First, we want to be the go-to place for both small and large jobs. Second, we aim to become a sort of ‘LinkedIn for handymen.’ Right now, our platform mainly focuses on posting and completing tasks, but eventually, we want users to proactively search for skilled people in their area. Our goal is to become the ultimate platform for all types of home improvement needs—starting with the Randstad region and later expanding across the Netherlands.”
The big question: How will you make money?
“We have multiple revenue models. One is a subscription plan that gives users access to extra features, such as more responses to their tasks. We’re also developing a transaction model where payments can be made directly through the app, with a small commission for us. Additionally, we plan to introduce an insurance option to provide extra security for both the task poster and the handyman.”
You’re currently raising funds. What are your plans?
“We’re aiming for an investment of €150,000 to professionalize the platform and focus on the Randstad region. The funding will primarily go toward marketing and expanding our team. Since we developed everything ourselves, our product development budget is relatively low. In the future, we want to strengthen our position in the Netherlands and eventually expand internationally.”
What results have you achieved so far?
“In our first year, we attracted 2,500 users, one-third of whom are handymen. Around 120 tasks have been successfully completed—all through organic growth. The number is rising, with 50 tasks completed since August. We’re also seeing strong retention: both users and handymen keep coming back.”
Do you have any tips for aspiring entrepreneurs?
“Yes, build a network of experienced people around you. I regularly talk to other entrepreneurs who share valuable insights. It’s crucial to get honest, unfiltered feedback—it helps you learn faster and make better decisions.”
More information for investors about Helprr can be found here.