Eric van der Kleij
Van der Kleij was born and raised in South Africa and moved to the United Kingdom at the age of 15. His interest in technology was sparked when his brother bought him a Sinclair ZX81 as a teenager. Deciding that he lacked the technical skills to be a programmer, van der Kleij went on to study business, after which he began a career in technology by commissioning software for golf clubs to keep track of their membership.
Van der Kleij became a “serial entrepreneur”, creating several telecommunications companies. His first major success started with an Internet call-back business, named RealCall, which allowed advertisers to place a link in their advertisement which clients would click to receive a phone call from them. Eric's career embarked with the foundation of Adeptra Ltd. in April 1996, a technology company that pioneered automated credit card fraud detection and alerting. This entrepreneurial feat showcased his early prowess in recognizing the potential of emerging technologies and translating them into impactful solutions. The successful journey of Adeptra culminated with its acquisition by FICO (NYSE FICO) for an impressive $115M in August 2012.
In November 2003, Eric transitioned into a pivotal role as Senior Dealmaker & Adviser in the Global Entrepreneur Programme & Major Projects at UK Trade & Investment (UKTI). This marked a pivotal phase where he orchestrated strategies that shaped the UK Government's engagement with entrepreneurship and global projects, foreshadowing his future impact on the tech landscape.
The following chapters of Eric's career are a testament to his visionary outlook and dedication to fostering innovation. As Chief Executive of Tech City Investment Organisation from February 2011 to September 2012, he navigated the growth of East London Tech City, aptly known as "Silicon Roundabout," positioning the UK as a thriving hub for digital and technology businesses.
Eric's contributions gained momentum when he stepped into the role of Head of Level39 Technology Accelerator and Special Adviser at Canary Wharf Group plc from August 2012 to February 2016. With a strategic vision, he orchestrated the launch and leadership of Level39, Europe's largest Fintech and Future Cities technology accelerator space. His involvement in creating and launching Cognicity.london, Canary Wharf's global Smart Cities challenge, showcased his ability to drive innovation on a global scale.
Subsequently, Eric embraced his role as Chairman Advisory Group, Adviser Fintech & Blockchain, Global Entrepreneur Programme at the Department for International Trade (DIT) from April 2016 to December 2019. His efforts as an advocate for the UK as a hub of entrepreneurial activity were instrumental in shaping the nation's reputation as a thriving business destination.
The latest chapters of Eric's journey see him co-founding EdenBase in January 2020, where his focus on responsible growth and positive impact continues to drive technological innovation. His roles as Chairman of Activeledger and Keybox underscore his commitment to blockchain technology and secure cryptocurrency management.
Eric van der Kliej's career is a testament to his visionary leadership, unwavering dedication to fostering innovation, and driving positive change in the technological landscape. From his entrepreneurial beginnings to his current impact, his journey stands as an inspiration for those who strive to shape the future through transformative technology and strategic leadership.
He is returning to Entiq, an innovation consultancy he co-founded in 2013, to explore the real-world applications of blockchain technology.
