Meet Maarten van Bemmel

Maarten studied Psychology in Groningen, where his interest in human behavior was first sparked. Over time, he realized he also wanted to work with technology, which led him to pursue a Master’s degree in Business Administration in Amsterdam. In his first professional role, he was introduced to software development and product management.

“I operate exactly between two worlds: behavior and technology. Figuring out how to make software as user-friendly as possible, that’s what truly excites me.”

A former colleague, Ramón, had recently joined Ledgnd and presented him with a new opportunity.“Ramón was one of my commercial colleagues at my previous employer. We immediately connected, we shared a similar vision and sense of humor. We understood each other quickly and worked well together from the start. When he told me Ledgnd was developing MyLedgnd and asked if I wanted to contribute, it felt right straight away.”

Around that same period, Maarten discovered just how innovative the greenhouse horticulture sector truly is.“There’s no country better at greenhouse cultivation than the Netherlands. What we achieve here on such limited land is genuinely impressive.”

That realization confirmed for him that this was a forward-thinking industry where his knowledge and energy could make a meaningful contribution.

Maarten began his journey at Ledgnd by visiting growers in their greenhouses. He observed firsthand how differently they operate and how each grower follows a unique strategy. Some focus on maximizing yield, others on minimizing energy consumption, and each seeks their own balance.

In recent years, however, his role has shifted increasingly toward software development. As MyLedgnd expanded rapidly, aligning developers and plant physiologists became a central part of his responsibilities. Both teams continuously contribute to the platform: plant physiologists from practical cultivation expertise, and developers from a technical perspective.“I sometimes miss the frequent customer visits and time spent in the greenhouse. But the software needs to evolve. Both teams require focus and proper guidance, that’s part of my role as Product Owner.”

As Product Owner, Maarten is responsible for everything related to MyLedgnd, what is developed, when it is built, and why. He gathers input from plant physiologists, customers, and colleagues, translates this into clear functionalities, and oversees the development process.

“What I enjoy most is the strategic thinking: how can we build this as logically and structurally as possible, and which opportunities can we seize?”

Over the past eighteen months, Ledgnd has invested heavily in strengthening the foundation of MyLedgnd. The result is a modular system that is scalable and four times faster than before. This new architecture enables larger releases, customer-specific functionalities, and dashboards that load at high speed, all essential to support growers in their digital transition.

Anyone who works with Maarten quickly notices how effortlessly he navigates between teams. He helps plant physiologists translate feedback into concrete development steps, ensures developers understand growers’ needs, and keeps the management team aligned on priorities.

“Taking a moment to connect with a colleague, professionally or personally, matters to me. You need to understand what someone requires to move forward together.”

MyLedgnd is entering a new phase, and Maarten has a clear vision for its future: a platform that not only uses climate data but actively steers cultivation based on what the plant itself communicates. Plant feedback, real-time insights, harvest forecasting, data-driven decisions that give growers confidence.

“In five years, I want MyLedgnd to be one of the leading software platforms in greenhouse horticulture. Not because we have the most features, but because we deliver genuine value to growers.”

For several years, Maarten has lived in Den Dolder with his partner and young son. The calm, green surroundings offer the perfect setting to unwind after a busy week.

Sport has always played an important role in his life. He used to spend many hours on the football field; today, he prefers running. Although injuries occasionally slow him down, completing a marathon in Amsterdam in 3 hours and 30 minutes remains a goal. And if not Amsterdam? “Then New York would be even more amazing.”

Weekends largely revolve around spending quality time with his son. At the same time, Maarten values time with friends, often around the kitchen table with a board game.“Every winter we book a cottage and play Werewolf and many other board games,” he says with a smile.

If he had to compare himself to a plant, the choice would be easy: the bird of paradise flower, colorful, slightly unconventional, and full of character.

“Choose a role where you can genuinely add value, for yourself and for the customer. In the long term, that’s what brings the most job satisfaction.”