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// about.java-district

About Java District

The story behind the platform

// misson

Our Mission

Bugs in the IT recruitment market have been causing frustration for years, not just for us, but especially for developers themselves and for companies in the ecosystem. For over a decade, developers have been sharing their experiences with the problems in the tech job market, and last year we mapped out those frustrations in concrete terms: more than 100 developers shared their perspectives through surveys and interviews.

From all those conversations, one clear picture and one idea emerged: to empower developers in their careers with fair technology. By working together with developers to build a fair, transparent tech job market where devs choose their own path and earn better pay. The feedback and concerns of these developers form the foundation of the platform. Because developers deserve the best!

// the_team

Built by developers, for developers.

Behind Java District is a small, passionate team with deep expertise in the Java ecosystem and the tech job market.

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Jasper Bouw

Founder

After more than ten years in and around the Java ecosystem, this entrepreneur knows his beans. Together with engineers, he built Java District on the values they care about most: honesty and transparency.

Maaike van Putten

Co-founder

Software developer, trainer and best-selling author. Her books and online courses have helped thousands of developers become better professionals, always putting the developer first.

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Wouter Veneboer

Marketing & Community

Builds a bridge between Java District and the developer community. From content to events, everything is focused on delivering real value to developers.

Paulo Cunha

Software Engineer

Java developer at heart and ex-LinkedIn. Brings years of experience with systems used by millions to our back end. Outside of work, he never stops building, from game servers to self-hosted projects.

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Daniël Terwiel

Founding Engineer

Responsible for the platform's strategic direction and growth. Ensures that Java District remains scalable and sustainable, always putting developers first.

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Job de Noo

Interim CTO

Sets the technical direction with a focus on security, scalability, and performance, building a foundation that’s ready for what’s next.

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Steven Choo

Technical Advisor

A developer from the very beginning. Steven's feedback as an active Java developer keeps the platform sharp and relevant.

A grayscale portrait of a smiling middle-aged man with short hair, wearing a dark jacket and shirt, against a blurred light background. Geertjan Wielenga Advisor of JavaDistrict

Geertjan Wielenga

Advisor

Open source and Java enthusiast, Java Champion, Apache Member and leader of the Amsterdam Java User Group.

Developers First. Every feature starts with the developer and stems from frustrations, conversations, and research

// why_java

But why Java?

Java and the JVM ecosystem form the backbone of the Dutch tech industry, from major banks and government agencies to innovative scale-ups. We look beyond “Java.” For us, it’s all about the engineers, IT specialists, and open-source communities surrounding this ecosystem.

Our platform acts as a catalyst for meaningful interactions, helping developers find the best-fit opportunities. From Kotlin to Scala and Rust to COBOL, across domains such as full-stack, DevOps, Cloud, and AI engineering.

This focus gives us the depth that generic platforms lack. Our goal: an open and transparent tech market where engineers can effortlessly find their ideal company.

We don’t do .NET, PHP, or web development. We’re happy to leave that to others.

// values

Our Values

Developers First

It all starts with the developer

Every feature, every decision, and every priority starts with the question: Is this in the developer's best interest? If the answer is no, we don't do it.

Honest and Direct

No hidden agendas

We say what we do and do what we say. No misleading job titles, no hidden fees, and no data that’s secretly sold on.

Protect the Hive

We protect our community

Java District is a safe place for developers. We filter out spam, protect privacy, and ensure that only legitimate companies are granted access.

Work Smart, Play Fair

Fair and efficient

We believe that recruitment can be fair for both sides. Transparent pricing, direct communication, and no unnecessary middlemen.

Join the District

Join a community of developers who take control of their own career.

Create profile

Veelgestelde vragen over Java District

Who is behind Java District? +

Is Java District a recruitment agency? +

How does Java District make money? +

What is the difference between Java District and a recruitment agency? +

Java District is not a recruitment agency. We do not charge a commission on placements, do not engage in commercial recruitment, and do not represent developers as candidates. We offer a platform where developers and employers can connect directly—transparently, honestly, and without intermediaries.