From aerospace engineering to shaping automotive software: Daan Duurkoop’s life in tech

From aerospace engineering to entrepreneur

Daan’s childhood dream of being a fighter jet pilot took a turn in high school. "I was best at physics and mathematics, so I leaned toward mechanical engineering" His academic path led him to study aerospace engineering at TU Delft. "I explored their program and was highly impressed by the depth of education, covering aircraft, satellites, advanced materials and various cutting-edge technologies" he says.However, Daan’s ambitions evolved during university. "I realized that pure engineering wasn’t for me" he explains. "I was more interested in the commercial aspects alongside the technological solutions" Acting on this realization, Daan co-founded a startup focused on a production method for advanced composite structures.While the venture was exciting, over the years, Daan found himself drawn to the agility and customer focus he was seeing at web-based startups. "That appeal led me to leave my startup and seek something new, which led me to TomTom,” he shares.

Steering his career at TomTom

I was looking for a dynamic environment within the consumer electronics sector, focusing on innovation" he says. It was 2009 and he’d just bought a TomTom device, also discovering that the company is Dutch, like him. The more he researched, the more impressed he became.“TomTom was among the pioneers in this space globally, embodying all aspects of what I would consider a fully connected or smart consumer product" Daan explains. Add a no-nonsense culture and he was in. Daan joined TomTom that same year.Since the beginning, his journey has been rich and varied. Daan started out in business development roles focusing on new opportunities, before transitioning into managing mature products in the personal navigation area. He also spearheaded new initiatives as TomTom shifted to a B2B software company. "I set up and ran our mobile app, AmiGO, which also serves as an experimentation and validation platform" he notes. After, Daan started TomTom’s Navigation SDK (software developer kit) product and, later, shifted to his current focus: the in-vehicle-infotainment (IVI) domain.

Shaping the future of automotive software

Technological innovation is quickly reshaping the driver experience. But the process is no walk in the park. Advanced tech needs to function perfectly to ensure driver safety. At TomTom, Daan is leading the charge for a cluster of software-based products for automotive.“Overall, I’m responsible for our product in the IVI domain,” Daan explains. “We’ve developed capabilities that allow us to run our software, including navigation, location applications and services, in a complete car context.” Daan and his teams use their Automotive Reference Platform (ARP) to test their tech. “The ARP allows us to demonstrate our products in an entire car environment. It’s essential for validating advanced features like ADAS and lane-level capabilities.”Looking at how TomTom’s overall automotive stack is performing, Daan also leads several initiatives focused on feedback loops. One of his new initiatives is the automotive beta program. “It allows employees, partners and customers to use our software on various devices, delivering voice and statistical feedback,” he explains. The feedback is vital, helping TomTom refine products to deliver more value to customers and drivers.

Putting tech into action at CES 2025

Every year, the world’s largest consumer electronics event gathers tech leaders in Las Vegas, showcasing their latest and greatest innovations. For the past two years, Daan has been heavily involved in setting up TomTom demos. "Our immersive demos don’t just present concepts; they show our actual software in action" he says.

We’re not merely presenting PowerPoint slides or videos; we’re showcasing real software, which clients recognize as both impressive and authentic, especially with new products"

Daan Duurkoop

VP I – Product Management

Daan has found that customers appreciate the authentic display of technology, as it is. Make your way to CES in January to see what TomTom is bringing to the table in 2025. From what Daan says, it’s going to be good: “This year, we’re even more ambitious, increasing quantity and variety with even more impactful demos.”

Challenges and opportunities ahead

Within a rapidly evolving industry, the road ahead for automotive technology is both exciting and demanding. Daan is drawn to the challenges, seeing the opportunities to make an even greater impact. “I see myself expanding both deeper and broader in the automotive field,” he shares. And he sees TomTom as the right place to do it.It’s not just about the tech. Culture and collaboration go hand-in-hand with innovation for Daan. “At TomTom, I’ve always had a great experience with my colleagues, working with a consistent mentality to make things better or smarter,” he shares.“TomTom really turned out to be a great place for me to continue learning and growing,” he says. “There are so many domains to develop yourself, such as maps, ADAS and voice technology.”

Is one of these areas calling out to you? Join Daan and start making your impact. See open roles at TomTom.

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