# Wolter Smit

> Wolter Smit is the co-founder and CEO of TOPdesk, the Delft-based service management software company he began developing with Frank Droogsma in 1993. A former programmer who studied applied physics at TU Delft, he writes and speaks about cooperative company culture, international growth and the role of organisational knowledge in AI.

- **Role:** Co-founder & CEO at TOPdesk
- **Organizations:** TOPdesk, VNO-NCW Delft
- **Education:** Applied physics (field of study; exact degree title unverified), Delft University of Technology
- **Known for:** Co-founded TOPdesk and led its international expansion., Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist in 2010, as listed in his public LinkedIn profile., At the December 2023 investment announcement, TOPdesk reported over 5,000 customer organisations and over 1,000 employees across 11 countries.

## Career timeline

- **Age 17** — Worked as a programmer at a small IT business while studying; Frank Droogsma worked there on the help desk.
- **1993** — Began developing TOPdesk with Frank Droogsma in a Delft attic.
- **1994** — The first version of TOPdesk launched.
- **1997** — The growing TOPdesk business moved to a larger office.
- **2004** — A pub conversation about overseas offices helped prompt international expansion; Germany became the first foreign branch.
- **2010** — Listed on his LinkedIn profile as an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist.
- **2013** — TOPdesk opened its first branch outside Europe, in Brazil.
- **2017** — Wrote to education minister Arie Slob advocating programming in schools.
- **2021** — Became chair of VNO-NCW’s Delft circle in January.
- **2023** — Announced TOPdesk’s first external investment: approximately €200 million from CVC Growth Funds for a significant minority stake.
- **2026** — Announced TOPdesk Robin at TOPdesk Unlocked in Utrecht on 16 September.

## Achievements

- Co-founded TOPdesk and led its international expansion.
- Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist in 2010, as listed in his public LinkedIn profile.
- At the December 2023 investment announcement, TOPdesk reported over 5,000 customer organisations and over 1,000 employees across 11 countries.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — An interview published on 13 October discussed organisational knowledge, suitable AI use cases and the continuing need for human judgement.
- **2026-09** — Announced TOPdesk Robin at Unlocked in Utrecht on 16 September; the company announced rollout beginning in October 2026.
- **2025-11** — Appeared on BNR’s De Top van Nederland to discuss AI and service desk work.

## Links

- Website: https://www.topdesk.com/en/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wolter-smit/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/wolter-smit
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-14