Ventje builds campervans based on Volkswagen buses T6, T6.1 (Bulli), and ID.Buzz, offering both used and new models. Founded six years ago in the Netherlands, Ventje perfectly taps into the current trend: maximizing the use of an already available vehicle or one that can be purchased at a relatively affordable price.

The award-winning design is very simple, modular, and logical, with surprising details – while also being smart and practical. Since last year, the charming campers have been expanding into the German market from Hannover. This expansion is supported by hannoverimpuls.

Ventje’s campervans are equipped for self-sufficient travel anywhere in the world. The battery charges while driving, and they can even be optionally fitted with solar panels. From color choices to seats, heating, and an awning, customers can customize their own Volkswagen bus. Ventje’s first trade show in Germany was so successful that the company founded Ventje GmbH in Hannover in 2023. After starting with a pop-up location, the company is now seeking a permanent space with its own showroom.

Jessica Schnehage, Business Development & Marketing at Ventje GmbH, what makes Ventje special?

Our campers are innovative, highly functional, and unique in their interior design. The interior is designed to offer the comfort of a large motorhome but in a compact van! The kitchen at the rear of the vehicle allows users to cook both indoors and outdoors. The design concept, where the seats can be transformed from a lounge setup to a four-seater with a table and then into a bed, earned us the Red Dot Design Award in 2021. Interested customers can order their new or used campervan from us, which is produced on demand. A Ventje has a delivery time of nine months.

Why did your company choose Hannover as its location in Germany?

After our presence at the ABF trade fair in Hannover, we were really excited about the high demand in the market. Just a few days after the fair, we made the decision to expand to Germany. Hannover is logistically perfect, located in the heart of Germany with great infrastructure – and of course, the proximity to VW was an important factor, as we produce campers based on VW vehicles like the T5, T6, T6.1, and ID.Buzz. We actively sought out support from the economic development agency because we needed help with choosing the right location. Finding a suitable hall for us has been challenging. It needs to be heated, representative, and large enough to showcase three Ventje models.

How did hannoverimpuls help Ventje with its establishment?

hannoverimpuls has supported us from day one with the establishment of our German branch and the search for a location. In addition, the economic development agency assists companies like Ventje that want to establish themselves through the Plug & Work competition, which provides prize money for renting business spaces or for marketing activities. This was a perfect fit for us, and we opened our first pop-up store. Now, we’ve moved a step further and hope to soon move into our first permanent space.

How have your experiences been, and what tips do you have for other companies looking to establish themselves?

We found it incredibly helpful to have hannoverimpuls by our side. The team supported us throughout every process. Although our countries are neighbors, many things work differently here. hannoverimpuls has been our go-to partner in all aspects, including networking, as we obviously want to increase our visibility! We recommend that everyone inform themselves in advance about processes and organizational matters to get a sense of timelines.

What are your next goals?

In the long term, we aim to further expand and become the largest manufacturer in Europe. We are already by far the biggest in the Netherlands and are making good progress in Germany as well. Next will be the rest of Europe. Events are crucial for this, such as the upcoming outdoor fair on August 17 at our Dutch location in Culemborg. With live music and great food, we will showcase the E-Ventje and variations of our designs. It’s a fantastic opportunity to connect with other Ventje fans, and admission is free. Our next event in Germany is the ‘Caravan Salon’ from August 30 to September 8, 2024, in Düsseldorf.

Anna Klose, Internationalization Project Manager at hannoverimpuls, about Ventje:
“We are very pleased to support Ventje in establishing their presence in Hannover. Ventje’s choice of Hannover as their location for expansion into the German market highlights the great potential and appeal of our region. Ventje’s innovative and flexible campervans perfectly suit modern adventurers who value comfort and independence. We are proud to support them on their successful journey.”

Photography: www.kevinmuenkel.de