How did it feel to be a finalist?
"I received a phone call from the Postcode Lottery, and they asked me to reserve four days during the PICNIC cross-media week. I was going to stay in a hotel and get a short presentation course, because I was one of the finalists. In those four days, the only thing that's on your mind is fine-tuning your presentation. You want to get it right, so that's all you think about."

Did you and the other finalists get along during these four days of sheer pressure?
"Oh yes, it was great. Nobody knew what to expect of the Green Challenge. We were all there for the same thing. But still, it's a contest, and you could feel that. For example, we were asked at the end of our presentation course to present our plans. Nobody wanted to do this. What if I had that great idea that nobody else had? I would have to share my tricks with my competitors! So we decided that we all wanted personal coaching and would present our plans with no other finalists in the room."

Did your presentation before the jury go as you had practised it?
"I am a person who listens to his feelings. When I arrived at PICNIC, I decided to change the way I was going to do my presentation. The whole atmosphere at the PICNIC location, the Westergasfabriek, made me change the way I wanted to present my idea. The picnic-like setting gave me all new ideas about how to relate my plan to the jury. I think it is very important to be authentic within your plan and stay close to yourself."

Looking back, how did the whole PICNIC adventure feel overall?
"It was a heavy adrenaline rush. Every time I drive past the Westergasfabriek I feel anxiety – it's a great memory. The contest gave me a boost. It felt like I was in the Champions League with my Qbox. The people present at PICNIC are all very fascinating in their own fields. And on top of all that, Sir Richard Branson was announcing the winner! I had always wanted to meet Sir Branson; he's such a renowned businessman. I've read many of his books. At the Green Challenge, I thought that I just wanted to high-five Sir Branson and then I could die, in a manner of speaking. When I won, I got the prize from his hand and also the opportunity to high-five him! I felt privileged, and I was."

What did winning the Green Challenge mean for your business, Qurrent, and the Qbox?
"I'm now able to do three to five pilot experiments and cooperate with different parties. It's important that people get to see the look and feel of the Qbox. We have to give them an example of what it can do. The Green Challenge made this possible, but also you mustn't underestimate the publicity the Challenge provides. That's priceless! I've had international companies and private individuals call me about the Qbox. But we're still in an early stage."

Are you proud of what you've accomplished?
"People have to realise the threat of our decreasing energy sources. My Dutch mentality just makes me think about what we can do to make the world a better place, and I think with green entrepreneurial ideas and strategies we can make a real difference. This fact does make me proud. People want durable goods at a low price, and they want comfort. If we can give people cheaper and more comfortable green products, sustainable products will have a good chance of survival. Even long after the green hype is over."

Read all about the Qbox on www.qurrent.com!