Marco Agema

- Expert Profile and Services Overview

Marco Agema is a Collaboration Architect and Impact Strategist who helps organizations build future-proof value. He operates at the intersection of sustainable entrepreneurship, ecosystem development and business innovation, where collaboration is not a tool but the foundation.

His strength lies in connecting organizations, designing joint processes and guiding transitions that are not only economically, but also ecologically and socially necessary. Marco believes that decisive action is needed now — delaying responsibility only transfers the cost to future generations, and the longer we wait, the higher that cost becomes.

Marco has developed several strategic tools that help organizations grow in maturity and future-oriented decision-making. One of these is Samenwerken 5.0, a five-level framework that shows how to move from transactional working to sustainable connectedness. He also created VI-TAAL, a practical universal language for healthy and future-proof entrepreneurship, including a scan that helps organizations understand and strengthen their impact, processes and role within the chain.

His work brings companies, entrepreneurs, creators and institutions together to create value across entire chains — from the first step to long-term strategic collaboration.

Marco grew up in the northern region of the Netherlands, in Groningen, in a family with a natural focus on creativity, entrepreneurship and connecting people. Over the years, he developed a business philosophy built on the belief that real progress begins when organizations dare to collaborate across sectors and interests. His professional development blends business administration, sustainable strategy and communication — a foundation that later shaped his work in ecosystem-driven entrepreneurship.

Marco’s career is defined by building bridges — between ideas, organizations and sectors. Since becoming an independent entrepreneur in 2004, his work has been rooted in sustainable entrepreneurship and future-proof leadership: not only benefiting from choices made today, but taking responsibility for what we pass on to future generations.

Driven by determination and a consistently positive energy, Marco chooses courage over compromise. From this mindset he built several initiatives, including GIPPI-Wereld — a hybrid innovation ecosystem focused on creating Positive Impact — and Groen Genieten Plus, a development program that supports entrepreneurs in adopting future-oriented and sustainable practices.

Over the years, one insight became central to his work: collaboration is the foundation of sustainable growth. From that belief, Marco developed Samenwerken 5.0, a practical and philosophical model built around five collaboration levels: Transaction, Alignment, Co-Creation, Ecosystem and Sustainable Connectedness. This framework has become a cornerstone of his work, guiding organizations toward more conscious, deeper and more valuable forms of collaboration. It offers direction, simplifies complex decisions and strengthens the health of organizations and their chains.

Marco’s legacy began in the hospitality industry, where he saw early on that entrepreneurship had to change. Years before sustainability and chain responsibility became mainstream, he identified the challenges and created solutions that still prove future-proof twenty years later. Thinking ahead, naming what is needed and then acting on it — that has always been his signature.

His work has been recognized multiple times, yet recognition has never been his motivation. What matters to Marco is striking the right chord and moving organizations into action. Transforming a value chain is just as meaningful to him as transforming a single business. Both begin with a vision, grow through hands-on experience and eventually become a plan that inspires others to join the movement.

Marco’s approach is both simple and powerful: clear language, common sense, a strong future vision and an iron commitment to push through — even when the path is full of obstacles. His legacy is the ability to inspire people, companies and entire chains with the desire to do better. His mission remains unchanged: guiding the world step by step toward Sustainable Connectedness by building ecosystems that work, connect and create lasting impact.

Available upon request