About Jaap van den Eersten: Co-Founder & IT Architect of Tolk2Go
In short: The technical mind behind Tolk2Go. With decades of experience at IBM and TNO, Jaap built the platform that makes real-time interpreter booking possible — 24/7, in 190+ languages, across five countries.
Active in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg and France
Jaap van den Eersten — the technology behind the platform
From Idea to Innovation
Jaap van den Eersten is the co-founder and IT architect of Tolk2Go — the platform that is transforming interpreter booking in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany. Together with his son Kristian and his wife Svetlana Mikelevich, Jaap built a system that gives both clients and interpreters 24/7 access to professional interpreting services.
What sets Jaap apart is the depth of technical expertise he brought to the project. With years of experience at IBM and TNO — two of the most demanding technology environments in the Netherlands — Jaap understood how to build systems that are reliable, scalable and intuitive. He applied that knowledge to an industry that had barely changed in decades.
What Jaap Built
The core of Tolk2Go: a system that sends availability requests to multiple interpreters simultaneously and returns confirmed bookings within minutes. No phone calls, no waiting for callbacks.
A dedicated mobile app that allows interpreters to manage their schedule, respond to requests instantly and track their assignments — all from their phone.
A responsive website where clients browse interpreter profiles, read verified reviews, compare rates and book — 24/7, from any device, without registration barriers.
Instant push notifications, email confirmations and status updates keep both clients and interpreters informed at every step — from request to completion.
A transparent review system connected to Reviews.io. Every review is verified and unfiltered — building trust through honest feedback.
Smart filtering by language, specialisation, location, availability and Rbtv status. Clients find the right interpreter for their specific situation in seconds.
Jaap's Background
Before Tolk2Go, Jaap spent years working at two of the Netherlands' most respected technology organisations:
Enterprise-grade systems, large-scale infrastructure and the discipline of building technology that must work reliably under pressure. Jaap's IBM experience shaped his approach to system architecture and uptime.
Applied research and innovation at the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research. Here Jaap developed expertise in translating complex technology into practical, user-facing solutions.
Transparency and Fair Play
One of Tolk2Go's core values — and one that Jaap has embedded into the platform architecture — is transparency. Every element of the system is designed so that clients and interpreters can see exactly what is happening:
- Transparent pricing: all costs visible before booking. Click the orange question mark icon for a full breakdown — interpreter rate, preparation, travel, mediation fee
- Real interpreter profiles: qualifications, certifications, language combinations, sector experience and sworn (Rbtv) status — all visible and verifiable
- Verified reviews: 700+ unfiltered reviews on Reviews.io. No cherry-picked testimonials — every review is published
- Fair rates for interpreters: interpreters set their own prices. No agency taking a hidden cut. The platform shows exactly where the money goes
- No lock-in: no contracts, no subscriptions, no minimum volumes. The technology is designed for flexibility, not dependency
Jaap's Role Today
At Tolk2Go, Jaap remains responsible for the technical development and maintenance of the entire platform — website, app, booking engine and backend systems. His focus areas include:
- Platform development: continuous improvement of the booking system, interpreter app and client interface
- System reliability: ensuring the platform runs 24/7 without interruption — because interpreter needs do not follow office hours
- Automation: building automated workflows that reduce manual steps for both clients and interpreters
- Technology integration: incorporating new tools and capabilities that improve the user experience and matching accuracy
- Security and data protection: keeping client and interpreter data safe with enterprise-standard security practices
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Jaap's role at Tolk2Go?
Jaap is the co-founder and IT architect. He is responsible for the technical development and maintenance of the entire Tolk2Go platform — including the website, the interpreter app (iOS and Android), the booking engine, automated notifications and the backend systems that keep everything running 24/7.
What technology background does Jaap have?
Jaap has years of experience at IBM (enterprise systems and infrastructure) and TNO (applied research and innovation). He brings enterprise-grade engineering standards to Tolk2Go — the same rigour used in large-scale corporate and research environments.
Did Jaap build the Tolk2Go platform himself?
Jaap is the lead architect and, together with the IT team, designed and built the core platform. He continues to lead the technical development, working with Kristian on the commercial side and drawing on Svetlana's insight as a professional interpreter to ensure the platform meets real-world needs.
Is the Tolk2Go platform available as an app?
Yes. Jaap and the team developed dedicated apps for both iOS and Android. Interpreters use the app to manage their schedule and respond to requests. Clients can also book via the mobile-responsive website from any device.
How does the booking system work technically?
When a client sends a booking request, the system identifies matching interpreters based on language, specialisation, location, availability and Rbtv status. Requests are sent simultaneously to multiple interpreters. Interpreters receive push notifications and can accept or decline instantly. Confirmed bookings are processed automatically with all details visible to both parties.
Is the platform secure?
Yes. Jaap applies enterprise-standard security practices developed during his years at IBM and TNO. Client and interpreter data is protected with industry-standard encryption, secure authentication and careful data handling in line with GDPR requirements.
How can I contact the Tolk2Go team?
You can reach the team through the contact page. Whether you have technical questions about the platform or want to discuss a partnership, the team is happy to help.
Explore More
How Tolk2Go was founded on Christmas Eve 2017 — the full story.
The real-time matching technology behind the platform.
Meet Kristian Koopman — co-founder and the commercial drive behind Tolk2Go.
Meet Svetlana Mikelevich — interpreter with 20+ years of experience.