Curious about what Tible can do for your organization?
Want to partner with an IT company that looks beyond technology and focuses on the people behind it? Our experts in Deventer are here to help.
2026-31-07
Pelaja Buitenhuis
Tible is celebrating its 17th anniversary. What once started with an account manager and an IT specialist has grown into a team in Deventer that includes compliance specialists, designers, and other experts. Beyond the Dutch borders, Tible is also active with a team in India and partnerships across Asia. But back in 2009, founder and IT specialist Merijn could never have imagined, “or dreamed”, that Tible would stand where it is today.
Merijn worked for years as a freelancer and later at various IT and digital agencies. At a certain point, he and his colleague Dennis saw an opportunity. “Starting our own business felt like the most logical next step. Combining individual elements into a beautiful final product feels like pure magic to me,” he says. And that's how Tible began: something that felt intuitive, at the right time, with the right person by his side.
That mindset of Merijn is still deeply rooted in Tible today. “I have an entrepreneurial mindset and love thinking in terms of possibilities. Risks don't scare me. For me, the proverbial glass is always empty: ready to be refilled with new opportunities and challenges.”
The early years weren't easy, and Merijn describes them as dynamic. “In our very first year, an international project blew up. Servers couldn't handle the load due to an inaccurate brief, so we had to act immediately. On top of that, we were dealing with the technology of 17 years ago, when everything was much more complex than it is today. Ultimately, we pulled it off—otherwise we might not be sitting here today.”
While such a situation would discourage or even defeat many entrepreneurs, for Merijn it was a defining moment. “As an entrepreneur, you have to stand on your own two feet; there's no manager to consult. But that also forces you to be creative.”
A few years later, another pivotal moment occurred for Tible: stepping beyond international borders. A Tible team was established in Guatemala, and that collaboration taught him what truly matters. “As soon as working together takes on a personal—sometimes even friendly—dynamic, it brings out the best in Tible. That mindset still drives everything we do today.”
However, Merijn recognizes that this also comes with risks: “It means my work and private life overlap. So it's up to me to stay sharp and make sure that working together never comes at the expense of the relationship.” Still, he chooses this approach. “I get to spend my days with great people. At that point, it doesn't just matter whether you're businesswise successful. You are happy.”
Looking at what Tible does, it all revolves around IT. But what lies beneath is bigger: “People thrive when they learn something new. That's why we make sure repetitive tasks are automated, so everyone stays challenged in their work.”
Internally, the environment feels the same: lots of responsibility combined with fun activities together. It all comes down to three things: staying true to yourself, connection, and mutual trust. And sometimes, having tough conversations. “Discussions are part of the process, and there needs to be space for them. To me, that's just a sign that a team is well-attuned to one another.”
One of the biggest lessons Merijn has learned: “Don't look at others; look at yourself. Focus on your own ambitions and dreams, not your neighbor's. It's about finding a balance between ambition and appreciating what's already there. Things can always be better, but they could also be much worse. It's all a matter of perspective.”
What makes Merijn proudest is where Tible stands today. The long-term partnership with Statiegeld Nederland is also a major highlight of Tible's 17-year history. “As a relatively small company, we contributed to a nationwide deposit system that now runs seamlessly. For me, it's not just about a well-functioning system, but also about doing something good for the environment and the world.”
This vision will remain leading when looking at Tible in the coming years. “I hope the Tible Group grows even stronger. And I'd love to undertake another meaningful project somewhere in the world where I can make a real difference for others.” In short: collaboration will remain central. Tible keeps IT human.
Want to partner with an IT company that looks beyond technology and focuses on the people behind it? Our experts in Deventer are here to help.
Interested in our approach or want to brainstorm about an IT challenge? We'd love to grab a cup of coffee with you at our office in Deventer.