Over a period of several weeks, adventurous entrepreneurs live and work together in inspiring locations around the world. Project Getaway is not just an event, but a complete experience. It’s geared towards successful and aspiring entrepreneurs who are ready to take the leap towards a deeply satisfying lifestyle, where great success, adventure and a balanced lifestyle goes hand-in-hand.
The Story
Project Getaway is the brain-child of Michael Bodekaer, a successful, self-diagnosed tech geek who swore to be his own boss for the rest of his life.
While kite-surfing one day in the Canary islands, he realized he missed the networking, brainstorming and sheer fun of working together with other inspiring entrepreneurs in exotic environments. If he couldn’t take sunny tropical beaches to his fellow entrepreneurs around the world, why not do it the other way around? Enter Project Getaway.
The first Getaway in Bali, Indonesia in September 2010 was a roaring success, and the virtual phones been ringing off the hook ever since. As the idea of living and working in paradise catches fire around the world, Getaways are sprouting faster than you can say “Surf’s up!”.
The Team
The success of Project Getaway is the result of many people's hard work, effort and contributions as well sponsorships to help make this type of event the most fantastic lifestyle experiment available to you.
Below you will find our core team, which keeps expanding.
If you are interested in joining our core team, drop us an email.
About Michael Bodekaer
Michael founded a bunch of cool companies, and travels around the world wakeboarding, kite-surfing and inspiring other cool entrepreneurs to make the switch. He loves teaching at entrepreneurship bootcamps and mentors several start-ups (including European TechStars StartupBootcamp and RealAcad at Stanford University).
To know more about him, visit Michael’s website, and come to the next Project Getaway event – there’s a very high likelihood that you’ll get to meet the passionate Getaway guy in person.
About Antoine Bruyns
Engineer by training, Antoine started his career in the dark side of management consulting at Bain to gain experience for his entrepreneurial adventures. He quickly realized that the best way to build companies is just to do it, made the inspiring jump and is currently opening the local office of his startup in Johannesburg.
Antoine is the kind of guy you just want to spend every single day around, as he inspires and motivates everyone to become their absolute best - and on top of that he's just super fun. His big dream is to build schools on all continents to help make the world a better place, so let him know if you share the dream.
About Phil Suslow
Mr. Phil = Mr. Automation. Phil built his entire empire in LED lighting by automating every single process in his business, and it allows him to travel the world and go on adventures like crossing the atlantic without any internet, and magically everything continues to run smoothly.
Phil loves any kind of adventure and fun activities, and inspires everyone around him to truly live the 4 hour work week life style. You'll always see Phil with a new pair of funky sunglasses, and don't be surprised if you see him placing LED lights on anything from goats to mansions.
About Lieve de Lint
Lieve studied neuropsychology and was stuck in a mind-set that this was the career she could never get out. Inspired by blogs, books, Tom and by a PG’10 picture of some guys working in the sun with palms in the background (very annoying when you’re still at home) she realized you’re always as free as your mind lets you be.
One year later she was one of those annoying PG participants, diagnosed herself with a PG addiction and now lives her passion for traveling, starting online projects and working in inspirational environments. One day she wants to be a writer wandering Paris (and finally speak French fluently!) and give back by raising awareness for animal care or support projects like OLPC.
About Tom Huges
Lazy by nature, Tom rather lies on the couch watching a movie than do anything else, except for his passions. And that’s where his problem lies; Tom is extremely passionate about so many things. To make matters worse, his gear box is broken, so it’s always full speed ahead. Fortunately he met his better half, Lieve, in 2006, who does a very good job slowing him down by taking him for -as Tom states- “utterly useless activities” like a walk in the park and power-naps.
Figuring the view from their office in The Netherlands could be better, Tom and Lieve decided to sell their belongings and started traveling permanently, building their businesses location independently. Other than that Tom holds a Master’s degree in Law and wholeheartedly gives his best effort to support (read: “cope with-”) Lieve on her quest to stand up for animals.
