ABOUT US
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A UNIQUE PARTNERSHIP
25+ YEARS OF
CONSULTANCY EXPERIENCE
MEETS
25+ YEARS OF
DEEP CORPORATE INSIGHT
athena associates
helping startups and entrepreneurs
to attract customers and convince investors
A different kind of consultancy
We believe that every business, regardless of size, deserves high-quality strategy support. We have reimagined top-tier consultancy to suit smaller businesses with smaller budgets. Fuss-free, friendly and fair-priced.
With hubs in Barcelona and Zurich, we operate globally, providing our services virtually and in person, in English, German or Dutch.
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Actionable, achievable and affordable business plans
Our process is designed to be straightforward and with maximum impact:
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Reduced complexity
Fixed timeline
Fixed, affordable fee
Fixed outcome format
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With both of us bringing over 25 years of experience—Rudolf in consultancy and Mariska from the corporate side—we combine strategic expertise with a hands-on understanding of how businesses operate.
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We create business plans that are easy to work with on an everyday basis and grounded in business reality.
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Our brands are multifaceted and authentic, designed to resonate with a variety of target groups by adapting their character facets as needed, much like people naturally do.​​​
Rudolf Rodenburg – Mariska Praktiek
Dutch nationals: pragmatic, direct, friendly, and with a personal approach thanks to our can-do mentality. Qualities often missing in larger consultancies.
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We have lived and worked across Europe and around the world (we still do).
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​We successfully bring together parties from different functional backgrounds to create an open atmosphere and build on strengths and expert insights.
Rudolf holds a Master's Degree in Business Economics.
He has worked at some of the world’s leading strategy and brand consultancies, of which 10 years in London, for clients such as Nestlé, Novo Nordisk Pharma, British Airways and Mövenpick.
Mariska holds a Master's Degree in Business Economics.
She has a strong background in the international corporate environment with experience across multiple industries, including IT, insurance, finance and oil & gas.
ATHENA
strategic wisdom - tactical expertise
The Greek goddess of wisdom and strategy perfectly symbolises our consultancy's ethos and approach.
Athena was known for her clear-sightedness, great ideas and highly-developed ability to think ahead. She was the decisive factor in winning battles.
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These are the qualities we bring to our strategic work with our clients.
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​Athena is our patron of strategic mastery
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The ancient Greek civilisation, even after more than 2,000 years, continues to shape our culture, architecture and philosophy.
This lasting impact reflects our approach: building strategies on a solid foundation that adapts over time, providing clients with the flexibility to evolve today and the strength to thrive tomorrow.
what clients say
"The process of developing our OGSM was thorough and enlightening. Each step, each decision, provided more clarity."
PROCESS
"Creating our OGSM was like mapping our path to success. It was a real eye-opener to see our plans laid out so clearly, giving everyone a clear role and focus."
"I'm naturally creative and a real doer, so I never thought I'd enjoy strategy this much. Everyone should experience this process!"
"It was surprisingly productive to have everyone at the table, each bringing their expertise. We really feel more like a team now."
​"Since we started implementing the OGSM, our strategic direction has never been clearer. We've seen a remarkable alignment across departments, and our goals now feel achievable and tangible."
RESULTS
"Having an OGSM in place has truly transformed our operations. It’s like we all suddenly got a compass pointing us in the right direction—less confusion, more results."
It's amazing how everything
starts to align, fall into place and make sense
once the OGSM takes shape.
"Working with Rudolf and Mariska was an exceptional experience. They are knowledgeable, incredibly responsive and committed to our success. They really made something complex accessible and enjoyable."
ATHENA ASSOCIATES
"Hands-on and patient, involving us in every step of the process. They challenged us in a friendly yet firm way, which really helped us to come up with our own solutions. We truly feel like we own our strategy now."
"They made everything so logical! Now, I can explain my strategy to anyone, even someone not familiar with my business, and they understand it right away."
Our clients span a wide range of industries, allowing us to bring extensive experience from sectors such as:
healthcare
pharmaceuticals
education
finance & insurance
technology & communications
energy
NGOs
airlines
logistics
construction
retail & consumer goods
culture
entertainment
and the public sector
Due to the strategic and confidential nature of our work, we do not list client names on our website. References are available upon request.