Shadi Alhakimi nominated for the Beste Nieuwkomer Spotlight Awards 2023

Taaly founder Shadi Alhakimi was nominated for the 2023 Beste Nieuwkomer (Best Newcomer) Spotlight Awards in the Tech category. The awards put newcomers in the spotlight who make a remarkable contribution to the Netherlands.

An entrepreneur who makes social impact with IT

The nominee profile describes Shadi as a tech entrepreneur who uses his technical skills to help other newcomers. He came to the Netherlands from Yemen, taught himself Dutch, earned a master's degree at the University of Amsterdam and was named COA volunteer of the year in 2016.

With Taaly he built an app that matches newcomers with Dutch-speaking conversation partners for video calls. You practise the language the way it is really used: in a conversation.

Why this nomination matters

The Spotlight Awards show what newcomers bring to society. That is the idea behind Taaly too: language is not a goal in itself but the key to taking part, making friends and finding work.

“An entrepreneur who makes social impact with IT.”
Beste Nieuwkomer Spotlight Awards on Shadi Alhakimi (translated from Dutch)

Taaly today

Taaly has since grown into the digital integration assistant for newcomers: language, participation and work in one app, with more than 30,000 learners, 4,200 taalcoaches and partnerships with 18 municipalities.

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Nominated in the Tech category. Beste Nieuwkomer Spotlight Awards (5 January 2023).

Want to become a taalcoach and help a newcomer forward? Become a taalcoach