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Piet Hein Schnellen
Commercial Director & Partner at STËLZ
Piet Hein Schnellen is the Commercial Director & Partner at STËLZ, a company that produces low-calorie, ready-to-drink cocktails.23 He is based in the Netherlands and has over 500 connections on LinkedIn.5
Professional Background
STËLZ, the company Schnellen is associated with, has been experiencing rapid growth, particularly in the hospitality sector.4 Under his leadership, STËLZ has been expanding its product line and market presence:
- In December 2023, they launched a new product called Stëlz Hard Iced Tea.2
- In October 2023, STËLZ introduced low-calorie mixed cocktails, which were featured in Distrifood, indicating the company's efforts to innovate in the ready-to-drink cocktail market.3
Recent Developments
A significant development in Schnellen's career occurred in May 2024 when HEINEKEN Netherlands acquired a minority stake in STËLZ.1 Despite this acquisition, STËLZ will remain an independent company, suggesting that Schnellen will likely continue in his role as Commercial Director & Partner.1
Schnellen appears to be actively involved in the growth and expansion of STËLZ, as evidenced by his LinkedIn posts about product launches, job openings, and company developments.234
Highlights
HEINEKEN Netherlands Acquires Minority Stake in Hard Seltzer Brand! AMSTERDAM – May 21, 2024. Hard seltzer brand STËLZ is set to receive a significant boost thanks to a collaboration with HEINEKEN Netherlands. The Amsterdam-based brewer has recently acquired a minority stake in the company. The rapidly growing STËLZ will remain independent but, with the investment, knowledge, and expertise of the brewer, can further expand in the fast-growing “beyond beer” category. Our hard seltzer – sparkling water with a hint of fruit aroma, low in calories, and 4.5% alcohol – is gaining considerable popularity, especially among twenty- and thirty-somethings. In addition to hard seltzers, STËLZ also produces classic cocktails and low-alcohol Hard Iced Tea. A Storybook Journey The story of STËLZ reads like a storybook. In 2020, founders Milan Voet (29) and Glenn Cornelisse (31) took the plunge; both quit their jobs, and the hard seltzer brand STËLZ was founded without significant industry knowledge. Not long after, influencer Monica Geuze, marketer Ebbo Gevers Leuven, and commercial strategists Piet-Hein Schnellen and Bart Meuter joined the team. Four years later, STËLZ, with the expertise and strength of HEINEKEN Netherlands, begins a new chapter.
“In HEINEKEN, we have found a fantastic partner to further realize our dream, and it just so happens that they were right around the corner,” Milan said with a laugh. In Amsterdam, near Tweede Weteringplantsoen and Weteringschans, HEINEKEN and STËLZ are practically neighbors. “We started the STËLZ adventure on our own and quickly became market leaders. With the advent of hard seltzer, you see a shift in social drinking culture. At festivals, clubs, student associations, and home gatherings, STËLZ hard seltzer has become a favorite drink. The STËLZ Way Maarten Schuurman, Managing Director of HEINEKEN Netherlands: “Pioneering, learning, and growing is in our blood, and we like to collaborate with parties who approach challenges in the same way. It is admirable how STËLZ has secured a unique position with their hard seltzer in a short time. On one hand, it's about the product, but it’s especially about how STËLZ markets it in their own distinctive way. Direct and straightforward. With a keen sense of the current zeitgeist and the moments when you enjoy a hard seltzer. With spot-on communication for new generations. ‘The STËLZ way,’ as they call it. We can learn from that. In turn, we help STËLZ with the knowledge and expertise we have built over more than 150 years. I find it fantastic that we are joining forces and building a beautiful future together.”
Mooi nieuws!! Trots op het begin van weer een nieuw hoofdstuk!
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Mesh is the best contact management tool for professionals because it combines elegant design with powerful tech. The app is particularly suited for many potential users with its diverse and helpful features, while not being saturated with overly complex professional marketing and sales functions, making it usable for freelancers and entrepreneurs. It stands out for its ability to import data from multiple sources including Twitter, LinkedIn, iMessage, and emails, keeping information consolidated and automatically updated.
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Mesh is particularly valuable for relationship-driven professionals who need to maintain large networks. The app is popular among many industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. Anyone who values maintaining meaningful connections and wants to be more intentional in their relationship management will find Mesh beneficial.
Mesh offers competitive pricing in the personal CRM market. Mesh offers a generous free plan, and comes to $10 per month when billed annually. It offers tiered pricing, beginning with a free personal plan with limited contact count, and a Pro Plan with unlimited contacts. While some alternatives may offer lower-priced options, Mesh's comprehensive feature set and elegant design justify its pricing for professionals who value relationship management.
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