AI colleague Manuel helps installers work more efficiently
The young company Manuel, based in Winterswijk, develops an AI solution that supports installers in their daily work. Since its founding in 2024, the company has been growing steadily and now serves dozens of installation companies. With support from Oost NL, co-founder Hakan Oz was able to establish himself in the Netherlands and further develop the business.
Manuel focuses on the shortage of skilled workers in the installation sector, where a lack of personnel has been a persistent challenge for years. The company’s virtual AI assistant takes over part of the workload, enabling installers to work more efficiently and reducing pressure on teams. Manuel currently employs seven people and aims to grow to a team of around twenty.
For co-founder Hakan Oz, a Turkish national who previously lived in Ukraine, the journey also had a personal dimension. After fleeing the war, he sought a stable work and residence permit in the Netherlands. Oost NL supported him in obtaining a StartUp visa and in his further development as an entrepreneur, including participation in the Customer Discovery Program.
“After leaving Ukraine, I quickly came into contact with co-founders Boris, Niels and Tim,” says Hakan Oz, co-founder of Manuel. “Thanks to the Start-up Visa and the guidance provided by Oost NL, I was able to fully focus on further developing our company. One way I am doing this is by participating in the Customer Discovery Program, which helps us clearly identify for whom we create the most value and how we can grow in a targeted way.”
Interest in Manuel is increasing, partly due to winning an innovation award at the VSK+ trade fair in Utrecht earlier this year. More than thirty installation companies are now using the solution.
“International entrepreneurship strengthens the innovative capacity of our region,” says Bram Geertsema on behalf of Oost NL. “By supporting entrepreneurs like Hakan in both their establishment and further growth, we contribute to addressing societal challenges such as labour shortages in the technical sector.”
The added value of Manuel is also being experienced in practice. For example, Van der Sluis Beheer en Onderhoud uses the app with 60 colleagues: “From now on, mechanics will always have a smart colleague in their pocket: Manuel. A colleague who is never ill, remembers everything, and makes everyone smarter.” John Jongkind of Wahlen en Jongkind says: “We present a professional image to our customers. By understanding error codes and diagnosing issues at an earlier stage, we resolve problems more efficiently and avoid unnecessary travel.”
By combining technological innovation with targeted support from the regional ecosystem, Manuel continues to build its growth and position within the installation sector.
