The Story Behind Tolk2Go: How It All Started
In short: A Christmas Eve WhatsApp message, a sworn interpreter mother, and two founders who believed the interpreting industry needed innovation. From 50 interpreters in 2018 to 1800+ today.
Jaap at Pulchri Studio in The Hague — presentation day for interpreters joining Tolk2Go.
Christmas Eve, 2017
Sunday, December 24, 2017. That is the day that Jaap and Kristian made the decision to start Tolk2Go.
Kristian had just left a job at IKEA — a job he actually enjoyed. Great team, fun work, amazing energy among colleagues. But he decided it was time for a new challenge and stepped into his first office role as an Operations Executive at a marketing company. As a college drop-out, that felt like a major step.
Meanwhile, Jaap was nearing retirement after a long career at IBM and had also launched his own Google Ads agency. Both were feeling the itch to build something meaningful — so they began brainstorming business ideas together.
They initially went separate ways. Kristian started building a dating app. Jaap began developing an interpreter app, inspired by stories from Kristian's mother Svetlana — a sworn interpreter and translator since 1998. They both knew the interpreting industry needed innovation.
Then, on Christmas Eve, Kristian got a WhatsApp message from Jaap:
"Hey Kris, Your Uber-for-interpreters idea is a good one. Let's talk tomorrow."
Kristian replied: "Hey. Oki!"
That conversation changed everything.
From 50 to 1800+
- December 2017 — Jaap and Kristian decide to build Tolk2Go together
- November 2018 — Tolk2Go launches with 50 freelance interpreters
- 2019–2020 — Platform grows through word of mouth among interpreters and clients
- 2021–2022 — Remote interpreting added; interpreter and client apps launched
- 2023–2024 — Continuous improvement: website redesign, app optimisation, expanding across Europe
- Today — 1800+ interpreters, 190+ languages, 700+ verified reviews
The Team Behind Tolk2Go
From IKEA to Operations Executive to co-founding Tolk2Go. Drives sales, customer relationships and platform growth.
Career at IBM, Google Ads expertise, and the technical mind behind the platform. Builds and maintains the technology that makes Tolk2Go work.
Sworn interpreter and translator since 1998. Her firsthand experience with the interpreting industry inspired the creation of Tolk2Go.
The heart of Tolk2Go. Freelance interpreters across 190+ languages who choose to work through the platform — setting their own rates, managing their own schedule.
What We Believe In
- Transparency: all rates, costs and reviews are visible before booking. No hidden fees, no vague quotes. Our Reviews.io page is unfiltered — we do not hide negative reviews.
- Interpreters set their own rates: freelance interpreters are professionals, not employees. They decide what their time is worth.
- Technology serves people: the platform exists to connect interpreters and clients faster and more transparently — not to replace human judgment.
- Continuous improvement: we are constantly redesigning the website, optimising the interpreter app and rolling out new features based on user feedback.
- Industry knowledge: with a sworn interpreter in the founding team, we understand the profession from the inside — the challenges, the ethics, the reality.
What Our Users Say
With 700+ verified reviews and a 4.7 average rating on Reviews.io, our users speak for us. We are proud of the feedback — and transparent about the occasional things that go wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded Tolk2Go?
Tolk2Go was founded by Kristian and Jaap on Christmas Eve 2017. Kristian handles sales and customer relationships, while Jaap is responsible for the technology and platform development. The idea was inspired by Kristian's mother Svetlana, a sworn interpreter since 1998.
When did Tolk2Go launch?
Tolk2Go launched in November 2018 with 50 freelance interpreters. The platform has grown continuously since then and now works with 1800+ interpreters across 190+ languages.
Is Tolk2Go an interpreting agency?
No. Tolk2Go is a platform that connects clients directly with freelance interpreters. Interpreters set their own rates, manage their own schedule and communicate directly with clients. Tolk2Go facilitates the connection and provides the technology — but does not employ interpreters or assign them anonymously.
How are interpreters vetted?
All interpreters provide proof of relevant education, interpreting experience and certifications before joining the platform. Sworn interpreters submit official Rbtv registration. Interpreter profiles show their qualifications, experience areas and customer reviews.
Where is Tolk2Go based?
Tolk2Go is based in the Netherlands and provides interpreter services across the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg and France. The platform is available online 24/7.
How can I contact the Tolk2Go team?
You can reach us by phone, WhatsApp, email and chat — including evenings and weekends. Visit our contact page for all options. We are always happy to help with questions, feedback or ideas.
Is Tolk2Go still growing?
Yes. We continue to grow every month — in interpreters, languages, clients and features. We are currently redesigning the website, optimising the interpreter app and developing a dedicated client app. Feedback from users drives everything we build.
Explore More
How we simplified interpreter booking with real-time availability.
How Tolk2Go vets interpreters and ensures quality and reliability.
Everything you need to know before your first interpreter booking.
Join 1800+ interpreters on the Tolk2Go platform.