Building
Three Times From Scratch
The third time I threw it away, I didn't even feel bad about it. :) That's new.
2026 · 3 min read
Amsterdam · Entrepreneur · Father
Mathys
van Abbe.
Builder of companies, father of four,
watcher of things.
Serial entrepreneur since 1999. I've built 30+ companies — from Mobypicture (mobile photo-sharing before Instagram) to Kinder (tech-for-good, honest failure) to Playbook (how teams do creative work). I live on a houseboat in Amsterdam.
Right now
BuildingPlaybook — creative tools for teams
StealthPeter's Pan — kids & the internet
LivingHouseboat · Amsterdam · four kids
MentoringStartupbootcamp & Rockstart
30+
Companies founded
25yr
Building online
4
Kids on a houseboat
∞
Things still to figure out
This captivating photo captures a stunning sunset over the Oudeschans canal in Uilenburg, Amsterdam, with the iconic Montelbaanstoren tower silhouetted against the vibrant orange sky
An adult and a child are captured in a joyful moment indoors at Marcantilaan, West, Amsterdam
This photo, taken at Marcantilaan, West, Amsterdam, captures a laptop screen displaying a WhatsApp chat
This photo captures a stunning sunset reflecting vividly in the windows of a modern brick building at Jan van Galenstraat, West, Amsterdam
A close-up portrait features a child wearing a grey hoodie, a blue polka-dot scarf, and a maroon jacket, looking directly at the camera
Recent writing
What I've been
writing lately
Building
When in doubt, C.
2026 · 1 min read
Building
The Scarcity Filter
2026 · 5 min read
Parenting
Beyond the Bully: Why Screen Time is a Battle for Your Child's Brain
2026 · 4 min read
