Behind The Scenes With Frans Van Houten: Why He Believes In Aquablu

3 min

18th February 2025

3 min

18th February 2025

INTRODUCTION: FROM PHILIPS TO AQUABLU

When someone like Frans van Houten—former CEO of Philips, investor, and board member of Novartis—chooses to back a company, you know it’s worth paying attention. We recently sat down with Frans to talk about his journey, his perspective on innovation, and why he’s so excited about Aquablu’s mission.

Spoiler alert: it’s about more than just great water.

Watch the full conversation with Frans van Houten here.

1. INNOVATION: GREAT IDEAS AREN’T ENOUGH

“Innovation is not just about having a great idea,” Frans told us. “Many innovations fail.”

And why is that? According to Frans, it’s not always about the product. Success depends on execution—how you approach the market, your team’s strength, and the relationships you build.

“There are so many dimensions you need to be good at.”

2. WHY FRANS INVESTED IN AQUABLU

So, what made Frans believe in Aquablu?

“What struck me in Aquablu was the excellent value proposition.”

When deciding to invest, Frans considered three key points:

First, the value proposition—Aquablu ensures staying hydrated, something we all need and want to do, in a convenient way. More people are looking for ways to stay healthy, not just at home but also at the office.
Second, sustainability—supporting the planet while simplifying life. With growing regulations like deposit return schemes (statiegeld) and plastic taxes, single-use bottles are becoming more of a hassle for companies to manage. Aquablu removes this concern by offering a green alternative.
Third, enhancing the workplace experience—for many, the office is now a choice, and it should be a space where people feel supported, not just in their work but also in their well-being. Providing high-quality, customizable hydration options—whether still, sparkling, or flavored—creates an environment that makes employees feel valued while promoting healthier habits.

For Frans, this combination of convenience, sustainability, and workplace well-being makes the Aquablu value proposition one that aligns with the needs of modern businesses and their growing focus on a healthier, more sustainable future.

3. SCALING SMART: WHAT IT TAKES

Frans explained that when evaluating startups, he believes the value proposition can always be refined, but it takes the right people to make that happen. Reflecting on the Aquablu team, he shared:

“Aquablu has a great team. I’ve been impressed by everyone I’ve met—from the CEO down.”

He emphasized the importance of continuous improvement, driven by a strong, curious, and adaptable team. According to Frans, this journey relies on having people who are eager to understand the market, curious about what customers want in a product, and willing to adapt to the realities of what it takes to succeed.

“That agility and grit to go out there and make it happen is what a great entrepreneurial team should have. That’s what I recognize in Aquablu.”

But this can’t be done by a team alone. Frans underlines the importance of partnerships in the scaling process:

“Scaling isn’t just about disruption; it’s about collaborating with existing partners to make the necessary steps, adopt the innovation, and bring it to market successfully.”

This philosophy aligns perfectly with how Aquablu operates. By fostering long-lasting partnerships, we’re bringing our solutions to more workplaces and communities worldwide, ensuring our mission to revolutionize hydration reaches its full potential.

4. WHY R&D DECISIONS MATTER

Moving to R&D decisions, we asked Frans about finding the right balance between in-house and outsourcing.

Frans explained, “How you organize your R&D is situational. It starts with creativity and imagination, but then you need to identify who is the best in the world to execute that.”

Reflecting on Aquablu, Frans supported our approach of thoroughly researching, exploring all possibilities, and evaluating quality before making a decision. He emphasized the importance of being open to outsourcing while remaining critical and willing to pivot to an in-house solution if it ensures a better product. According to Frans, this balance—leveraging external expertise while maintaining high standards—is the right approach to achieving the best results.

5. THE FUTURE OF HYDRATION

At Aquablu, our mission is to carve out our own space and disrupt the beverage industry—a competitive, ever-evolving market with many established players. In a world where offices still rely on coffee machines, soda cans, and bottled water, we believe in establishing an alternative way of experiencing the workplace—one that’s both sustainable and beneficial for well-being.

To better understand how we can stand out in such a competitive space, we asked Frans for his insights.

Frans is optimistic—not just about Aquablu but about the future of hydration itself. He believes we’re at a turning point, as people increasingly prioritize healthier lifestyles:“The timing is right. People want healthier lifestyles. It’s a desire of the next generations to find a better way to hydrate during the day, and Aquablu offers that.”

While he views Aquablu’s value proposition as strong, he acknowledges the key challenge:

“You need to convince people to adopt an innovative product. They may not be aware, so you have to make them aware of what is possible.”

Frans’s perspective reinforces the importance of connecting with your audience when introducing groundbreaking solutions to an established and stable industry.

FINAL THOUGHTS

For Frans, joining Aquablu isn’t just an investment—it’s a chance to help us scale thoughtfully and sustainably.

“If I can contribute to accelerating Aquablu’s journey to scaling, then I’ll have accomplished my goal.”

And for us, having someone like Frans on board means more than we can say. His insights, guidance, and belief in our mission inspire us to aim higher every day.

Curious about how we’re reshaping hydration for the better? Let’s talk.

4. WHY R&D DECISIONS MATTER

Moving to R&D decisions, we asked Frans about finding the right balance between in-house and outsourcing.

Frans explained, “How you organize your R&D is situational. It starts with creativity and imagination, but then you need to identify who is the best in the world to execute that.”

5. THE FUTURE OF HYDRATION

To better understand how we can stand out in such a competitive space, we asked Frans for his insights.

While he views Aquablu’s value proposition as strong, he acknowledges the key challenge:

“You need to convince people to adopt an innovative product. They may not be aware, so you have to make them aware of what is possible.”

Frans’s perspective reinforces the importance of connecting with your audience when introducing groundbreaking solutions to an established and stable industry.

FINAL THOUGHTS

For Frans, joining Aquablu isn’t just an investment—it’s a chance to help us scale thoughtfully and sustainably.

“If I can contribute to accelerating Aquablu’s journey to scaling, then I’ll have accomplished my goal.”

And for us, having someone like Frans on board means more than we can say. His insights, guidance, and belief in our mission inspire us to aim higher every day.

Curious about how we’re reshaping hydration for the better? Let’s talk.

4. WHY R&D DECISIONS MATTER

Moving to R&D decisions, we asked Frans about finding the right balance between in-house and outsourcing.

Frans explained, “How you organize your R&D is situational. It starts with creativity and imagination, but then you need to identify who is the best in the world to execute that.”

5. THE FUTURE OF HYDRATION

To better understand how we can stand out in such a competitive space, we asked Frans for his insights.

While he views Aquablu’s value proposition as strong, he acknowledges the key challenge:

“You need to convince people to adopt an innovative product. They may not be aware, so you have to make them aware of what is possible.”

Frans’s perspective reinforces the importance of connecting with your audience when introducing groundbreaking solutions to an established and stable industry.

FINAL THOUGHTS

For Frans, joining Aquablu isn’t just an investment—it’s a chance to help us scale thoughtfully and sustainably.

“If I can contribute to accelerating Aquablu’s journey to scaling, then I’ll have accomplished my goal.”

And for us, having someone like Frans on board means more than we can say. His insights, guidance, and belief in our mission inspire us to aim higher every day.

Curious about how we’re reshaping hydration for the better? Let’s talk.

4. WHY R&D DECISIONS MATTER

Moving to R&D decisions, we asked Frans about finding the right balance between in-house and outsourcing.

Frans explained, “How you organize your R&D is situational. It starts with creativity and imagination, but then you need to identify who is the best in the world to execute that.”

5. THE FUTURE OF HYDRATION

To better understand how we can stand out in such a competitive space, we asked Frans for his insights.

While he views Aquablu’s value proposition as strong, he acknowledges the key challenge:

“You need to convince people to adopt an innovative product. They may not be aware, so you have to make them aware of what is possible.”

Frans’s perspective reinforces the importance of connecting with your audience when introducing groundbreaking solutions to an established and stable industry.

FINAL THOUGHTS

For Frans, joining Aquablu isn’t just an investment—it’s a chance to help us scale thoughtfully and sustainably.

“If I can contribute to accelerating Aquablu’s journey to scaling, then I’ll have accomplished my goal.”

And for us, having someone like Frans on board means more than we can say. His insights, guidance, and belief in our mission inspire us to aim higher every day.

Curious about how we’re reshaping hydration for the better? Let’s talk.

Aquablu

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