#FoundersFridays: Meet Nick Pfeyffer and Abdullah Alharbi

#FoundersFridays is an interview series about Amsterdam’s wellbeing economy: for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs. Each frontrunner answers questions on their entrepreneurial journey, learnings, milestones, and bottlenecks, as well as on Amsterdam’s and the Dutch impact and innovation ecosystem. It’s a platform for entrepreneurs to speak their minds freely and pass on their learnings to anyone considering founding an enterprise.

This week we spoke to Nick Pfeyffer and Abdullah Alharbi, the founders of UNSEEN. UNSEEN started as a social impact startup dedicated to driving the professional journeys of newcomers in finance and accountancy. But founders Nick Pfeyffer and Abdullah Alharbi took on an even bigger challenge with their ideas for the iSettle App. Designed to be a game-changer, this app should guide newcomers the moment they hear they’ve received housing, through the complex world of financial rules and regulations in the Netherlands. The virtual assistant app will offer essential tools like IBAN accounts, a debit card plug-in, and AI-driving budget management, all tailored to the user’s native language. Their goal is to make this daunting time easier and fast-track stability and financial freedom for newcomers.

How did you meet?

Nick: Abdullah participated in an entrepreneurship program at Forward Inc. The idea for UNSEEN was already in my mind but still needed to take shape, and he had a unique perspective on the challenges.

Abdullah: Meeting Nick transformed my perception of Dutch people. The people I have met before through various organizations always stayed a bit on the surface; the conversations never really went deep. With Nick, it was different. We immediately dove into various social issues in the Netherlands. He was genuinely interested in what I had to say, and he wasn’t afraid to speak up. We met in April, and by June, we were already making plans for UNSEEN.

Why did you start UNSEEN?

Nick: I have a background in tech and lived abroad for quite some time. When I returned to Amsterdam, I helped several newcomers find jobs in the tech and accounting sectors, where I had established networks. Both sectors have very homogeneous cultures. It is difficult to find talent, so there’s intense competition among tech companies and within accounting to attract the right candidates. I connected talented newcomers from my network to companies that were looking for talent. This gradually led to the creation of UNSEEN. Despite their considerable talent and drive, these individuals often remain unseen due to cultural differences, which inspired the name.

The idea for UNSEEN emerged in 2023. Can you tell us about the different phases UNSEEN has gone through?

Nick: UNSEEN initially focused on work and talent coaching, but we soon realized that this made up only 10 to 15% of the overall guidance. Most conversations centered around the broader challenges: the difficulty of finding and keeping sustainable employment, financial issues tied to living and working in the Netherlands, and the cultural hurdles of job applications and maintaining employment in this country. That’s why we shifted to a more holistic approach. UNSEEN is not a recruitment agency. We guide people toward a sustainable, independent life in the Netherlands. Work is just one part of that.

Abdullah: In my previous work with a refugee organization, I learned that most people were unhappy with their jobs. Research revealed that 60% to 75% of employees with a refugee background were dissatisfied. This was often due to lower wages, jobs that didn’t match their skills or background, discrimination, or simply not feeling welcome in the workplace.

Nick: The concept was established, but the next challenge was locating the unseen talent. Where do you find them, and who are they? Are they new to the Netherlands or have they been here longer? Did they study here? We started with people from finance and accounting backgrounds. What began within our network gradually expanded through collaborations with asylum centers and the municipality.

Abdullah: As Nick and I worked on setting up UNSEEN, we discovered that the issues were much more profound than we initially thought. Many individuals are in debt, struggle with the complexities of the Dutch system, and fall into poverty. These challenges put people at a significant disadvantage from the start. Over one-third of newcomers are in debt, and this figure is likely an understatement. Realizing the need for a sustainable solution to these deeper issues, we came up with the initial idea for iSettle.

Can you explain what the UNSEEN | iSettle app is?

Nick: Initially, we handled many tasks ourselves—deciphering letters, applying for bank accounts, explaining things like water authority taxes, and addressing financial questions. Our support doesn’t end once someone secures a job; we continue to assist them with the next steps and future planning. What’s the next step? How do you see your future? However, this approach involved repeatedly answering the same questions over and over. Working in this manner isn’t scalable. I used to work on an all-in-one platform for banking, accounting, and tax filing—integrated banking software—so the idea for an app quickly emerged. By developing an app, we can streamline these processes. For instance, a letter about water authority taxes can be translated within the app, which immediately provides payment options, making these tasks more manageable.

Abdullah: We want to provide an app that helps you from the moment you are assigned housing, as that’s when they face a deluge of challenges all at once. Learning a new language can be daunting, and navigating various requirements and rules can be overwhelming. At this stage, an app can guide you through each step and provide a sense of control. I think this can be incredibly helpful.

Was there a similar app or tool available somewhere else in the world that attempted to solve this problem or these problems?

Nick: No. Remarkably, there isn’t a single app in Europe trying to do the same thing. I think it’s because so many functions have to be integrated into one app. It needs to work well with government apps, banking apps, etc. It’s asking a lot. At the same time, this makes it revolutionary and completely new. It’s our ultimate BHAG—Big Hairy Audacious Goal: Allowing newcomers to start their lives in the Netherlands without debt.

Abdullah: I believe many of the challenges newcomers face are invisible to those born here. Each issue often leads to several more. Securing housing is just the beginning; after that, the complexities multiply—bank accounts, taxes, energy bills, and more. It’s a complicated process, and missing even one step can lead to significant difficulties. I’m currently collaborating with COA [Dutch Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers] to understand the process better and collect data for the app. The app mustn’t be just a static repository of information like a website, but rather a proactive tool that guides users through each step.

What’s a recent win for UNSEEN?

Abdullah: Being nominated for the Ignite Awards was a significant achievement for us. Additionally, we’ve just launched a pilot with COA, which will allow us to identify specific challenges in the process and ensure the app can effectively support everyone arriving in the Netherlands. Setting up this pilot truly feels like a major milestone.

What’s been a recent challenge?

Nick: The biggest challenge we face is securing funding. To fully develop the app, we need strong partnerships. Although there are many excellent tech solutions available, most providers are cautious due to the perceived risks. Nonetheless, we’re addressing a pressing issue for both the government and COA, who are overwhelmed by the volume of work. Our solution has the potential to significantly support and streamline their efforts, and their strong sense of urgency about finding a solution is encouraging.

What’s the goal for UNSEEN in the coming months?

Abdullah: We’ll be participating in the Ignite program, while simultaneously conducting a pilot at one COA location. It will be an intense period, but it will allow us to establish a solid foundation for our app within three months. The enthusiasm from the people we’re helping is incredibly motivating. Meanwhile, UNSEEN Talent continues to operate, so we are still actively assisting individuals in finding employment.

If you’re an Amsterdam-based founder working on an innovative solution that solves an urban or social challenge, and you’d like to share your story with our audience, email impact@amsterdam.nl