Geert van der Velde began his career as a full-time musician, touring internationally and recording albums as a singer-songwriter, including vocal duties for American metal/hardcore band Shai Hulud and Dutch indie folk group The Black Atlantic.

In his mid-thirties, van der Velde, a lifelong chess enthusiast, transitioned into tech and education, joining the chess-learning startup Chessable at an early stage. He played a key role in scaling it into the world’s largest chess education platform and served as its CEO for three years.

He recently stepped down to pursue purpose-driven ventures at the intersection of education, technology, and community. Currently Head of Fundraising & Partnerships for The Gift of Chess and Chess in Slums Africa, van der Velde is known for his creativity, unorthodox marketing approach, and commitment to impactful projects that inspire opportunity for future generations, including his three children.

Geert van der Velde is a creative entrepreneur and former musician-turned-tech leader. A one-time vocalist for American metal/hardcore band Shai Hulud and founder of acoustic pop group The Black Atlantic, he later scaled Chessable into the world’s largest chess education platform, serving as its CEO for three years. Now Head of Fundraising & Partnerships for The Gift of Chess and Chess in Slums Africa, he focuses on purpose-driven ventures that inspire opportunity and positive change for future generations.