Leadership for PE/VC portfolio brands
C-level leadership for private equity portfolio brands. Currently employed as CEO for Franke Media (Waterland PE portfolio brand).
Direct influence as the primary lever for value.
Digital Ventures & Leadership by Sjef Kerkhofs
Economy
Organisation
Team
Founder/Leader
(Circle of Influence)
Philosophy
The Stoic Circle of Influence
Borrowed from Stoic philosophy, the circle of influence separates what we can act upon from the noise we cannot control. StepFree deliberately directs its attention to the facets of business where its own influence is direct and immediate. That focus starts with its own strength, and the strength of the people around it. For every company and participation it first looks for the best people for the job — the single most important ingredient in deciding whether to begin something at all.
PrincipleOwner Mindset
MethodPeople First
Portfolio
Companies & Participations
Digital Due Diligence boutique
Boutique firm for digital due diligence audits, because investment decisions need more than financial due diligence.
Breathe better. Live better.
Breathing application and community with over 300,000 engaged members across the world.
Investment vehicle
Investment vehicle of Kerkhofs, together with co-founder Robbert Gangadin, investing in multiple funds and start-ups.
Honouring Excellence
One of the leading European award ceremonies within the affiliate marketing scene, with editions in Amsterdam (2025) and Berlin (2026).
Live marketing, connected everywhere.
Candid helps brands build and run AI-powered, human-centred Live Marketing™ systems that automate routine execution — so strategy and creativity can lead.
Data driven, gut felt.
DailyDialogues was one of the first creative social media agencies in the Netherlands. Sold in 2019 to the Candid Platform.
Visit Site →Exit 2019