--- title: Welcome description: Home page for Scale-Up coaches, ESUL. Read about our our unique approach and services. --- This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. #### European Scale Up Leaders [![Structured Growth](https://esul.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Logo_ESUL_beeldmerk_ScaleUpFlame-1.png?width=816&height=576&name=Logo_ESUL_beeldmerk_ScaleUpFlame-1.png "Structured Growth")](https://esul.org/?hsLang=en) [![Structured Growth](https://esul.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Logo_ESUL_beeldmerk_ScaleUpFlame-1.png?width=816&height=576&name=Logo_ESUL_beeldmerk_ScaleUpFlame-1.png "Structured Growth")](https://esul.org/?hsLang=en) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. English - [Nederlands](https://esul.org/nl/) - [English](https://esul.org/en/) - [Services](https://esul.org/en/) Show submenu for Services - [BOB - WINNING TEAMS](https://esul.org/sign-up-for-bob) - [SCALING POWER](https://esul.org/en/) - [Founder](https://esul.org/en/niels-hardam-founder) - [Book](https://esul.org/en/book) - [Scaling Knowledge](https://esul.org/blog) - [Contact](https://esul.org/contact) - [Services](https://esul.org/en/) Show submenu for Services - [BOB - WINNING TEAMS](https://esul.org/sign-up-for-bob) - [SCALING POWER](https://esul.org/en/) - [Founder](https://esul.org/en/niels-hardam-founder) - [Book](https://esul.org/en/book) - [Scaling Knowledge](https://esul.org/blog) - [Contact](https://esul.org/contact) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. # Knowledge. Focus. Team Power. From start-up to scale-up. From creative chaos to structured growth. [Contact](https://esul.org/contact?hsLang=en) [Meet BOB](https://esul.org/sign-up-for-bob?hsLang=en) About Us ### Advice We help you plan and execute your scale-up ambitions   ### Training and Guidance We work side-by-side with you in critical growth phases   ### Finance and Research We provides a network of business, investment and research experts   ![Scaling Mess](https://esul.org/hubfs/Scaling%20Mess.png) Scaling up is a messy process. As a founder, it is easy to get lost in priorities. You could really use some guidance – to maintain growth momentum, to clear the hurdles. That’s where ESUL comes in. European Scale Up Leaders is a reliable partner for ambitious scale-ups.  We provide hands-on guidance on organisational issues that scale-ups have. Be it a personnel problem, personal leadership growth, or targeting the right customers. ESUL acts on the principle that each business is unique; there are no tailor-made solutions. That is why we always aim to find the right approach, with the right set of people in the right timeframe.   ![Esul gsm products](https://esul.org/hubfs/Esul%20gsm%20products.png) ### Develop your Scale-up Mindset! Tools and programs only bring you so far. Going from start-up to scale-up requires a different mindset, both with your leadership team and with (new) employees. ## What We Provide Services ### Growth Coaching Growth coaching for scale-up leaders: in 6 to 9 months, we work with you to improve team cohesion and communication. As a founder or leadership team, you will learn to convert all strategy to effective actions.   ### [Strategic Advice](https://hubspot.com) Strategic advice for durable growth: in 6 to 10 unique sessions, we help you develop a scalable strategy, firmly based on your company’s founding values.   ### Hands-On Execution Hands-on execution at implementation level. Where needed, we can temporarily come onboard and guide you – or your directors – as you work to realise your growth ambitions.   ### Our Proven Method Obviously, each and every scale-up, with its people, leadership and field of expertise, offers a unique set of possibilities and challenges. However, since we always focus on people + processes, we do have a principal set of goals or tasks. These are, briefly put: **People** • Working on a compelling corporate story • Looking out for intrinsically motivated peope • Organizing optimal working conditions **Leadership** • Working on personal growth • Dividing up tasks and organizing delegation **Processes** • Setting up commercial/ operational/ financial systems • Aligning the right KPIs for each • Hiring the right professionals for each new division None of this may appear like rocket science, but keeping an eye on all of this *simultaneously* proves to be the bottle neck for many, if not all scale-ups. And many find that at least two or three of these goals are hard for them to accomplish. This is ESUL’s specific area of expertise. We either guide you or temporarily co-lead your company through these tasks.   [Contact](https://esul.org/contact?hsLang=en) ![Niels-boot-half](https://esul.org/hubfs/Niels-boot-half.png) ### Our Mission Our mission is to enhance the power of scale-ups to grow. We do that by focusing on the effectiveness of people, both individually and working together, and of the processes they employ to organize their activities. Enhancing your power to grow entails enhancing your company’s • Structural soundness • Scalability • Level of autonomy and ownership • Team focus **We work exclusively with scale-ups that contribute to one or more of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, as adopted by all UN member states in 2015.** ## FAQ ##### What is a Chief Scaling and what does (s)he do? A Chief Scaling is an expert who provides professional advice to leadership teams of startups and scale-ups, in order to increase the organizational strength for scaling the company. ##### How does ESUL's work differ from other consultancies'? Our unique solution combines hands-on execution with strategic advice, providing unparalleled support in scaling your business. We are entrepreneurs who have helped several companies from inception to over a million euros in sales (while maintaining a healthy margin). Our advice is based on personal experience and scientific best practices. We like to be involved in the implementation. ESUL is not an accelerator or a training program. ##### How does ESUL measure the success of its contributions? We measure success by key performance indicators such as EBITDA, customer reviews and referrals. We also look at changes in employee satisfaction as a part of our success measure. ##### How long does ESUL typically come aboard for? Our collaborations usually last between 6 and 9 months, with a follow-up after 3 months to ensure lasting success. ##### What is your pricing plan? We offer a flat rate of €4,850 per month for 12 hours of work per week, ensuring you transparent and predictable costs. If you opt for individual consulting hours, we charge an hourly rate of €148,- Are you a start-up? Contact me for a possible discount of 20%.  ##### How can I reach out to you? You can email of call us directly to discuss your needs and schedule an initial consultation to explore how we may support you on your scaling journey. You can also schedule an appointment via the contact module. ![](https://esul.org/hs-fs/hubfs/ESUL_slides_mockup.jpg?width=2000&height=1333&name=ESUL_slides_mockup.jpg) ## Latest Blogs and Articles ### [Don't let responsibility swim upstream Jun 12, 2026](https://esul.org/blog/dont-let-responsibility-swim-upstream?hsLang=en) ### [Humans vs AI: 1-0 Jun 12, 2026](https://esul.org/blog/humans-vs-ai-1-0?hsLang=en) ### [When Will Customer-Focus Hurt You? Mar 4, 2026](https://esul.org/blog/when-will-customer-focus-hurt-you?hsLang=en) ![](https://esul.org/hs-fs/hubfs/HARDAM_3D_transparant_rgb-1.png?width=350&height=503&name=HARDAM_3D_transparant_rgb-1.png) ### Book (In Dutch) ESUL founder Niels Hardam published a book entitled ‘The Scale-Up Mindset’ in Dutch. The basic principles of the Scale-Up Mindset are explained, and in doing so, Niels provides fundamental advice both to first-time entrepreneurs and to start-up leaders in the midst of their chaotic growth processes. An English translation of the introductory chapter is available on the Book page.   [Book](https://esul.org/descaleupmindset?hsLang=en) ![Network EN](https://esul.org/hubfs/Network%20EN.png) ### Network We firmly believe in sharing knowledge, experience and resources. That is why ESUL is also a network of entrepreneurs, investors and researchers. We are constantly reaching out to new interested parties, throughout Europe. Let us know if you want to join us!   [Contact](https://esul.org/contact?hsLang=en) [![Logo_ESUL_uitgeschreven_FoundersWhite-1](https://esul.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Logo_ESUL_uitgeschreven_FoundersWhite-1.png?width=250&height=47&name=Logo_ESUL_uitgeschreven_FoundersWhite-1.png "Logo_ESUL_uitgeschreven_FoundersWhite-1")](https://esul.org/?hsLang=en) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com) [Services](https://esul.org/en/) [Founder](https://esul.org/nl/niels-hardam-founder?hsLang=en) [Book: De Scale Up Mindset](https://esul.org/en/book?hsLang=en) [Scale Up Knowledge](https://esul.org/blog?hsLang=en) Get in touch with us! Contact Us © 2025 European Scale Up Leaders|  [Privacy Policy |](https://esul.org/hubfs/Privacy%20Statement%20ESUL.org.docx.pdf?hsLang=en) [Disclaimer](https://esul.org/hubfs/Disclaimer%20ESUL.org.docx.pdf?hsLang=en)