Ciphix, a specialist in integrations, low-code applications, automation and AI-driven solutions, announces the appointment of Marilou van Doorn as its new CEO. Her arrival marks the start of a new phase of growth in which the company, strengthened by two recent acquisitions, aims to further professionalise. Ciphix will focus on deepening its long-term, value-driven relationships with customers and partners, as well as pursuing sustainable growth.

From pioneer to one-stop shop

Ciphix was founded in 2017 with a clear vision: “Take the robot out of the human.” The company began as a pioneer in Robotic Process Automation and later expanded into smart integrations, low-code applications and AI. AI acts as a reinforcing layer, making automation, integrations and apps even smarter and more effective. Over eight years, Ciphix has grown into an organisation of more than one hundred employees across three locations (Rotterdam, Amsterdam and Valkenburg), with a strong digital transformation portfolio. Thanks to two strategic acquisitions and partnerships with Mendix, Workato and UiPath, Ciphix has evolved into a one-stop shop for organisations seeking to work more efficiently, intelligently and at scale.

A new phase requires new leadership

After years of rapid growth, Ciphix is entering a period in which it aims to refine its direction and define a clear, shared course. According to Chief Proposition & Strategy Officer Marijn van de Poel, the arrival of Van Doorn marks exactly that moment:
“Marilou brings more than seventeen years of experience in the tech sector, during which she has led various start-up and scale-up organisations through growth phases, integrations and cultural transformations as COO and CEO. With her background in big data, operational excellence and mergers & acquisitions, her profile aligns closely with Ciphix’s current challenges: providing direction, creating structure and restoring a shared identity after a period of rapid expansion.”

Van Doorn adds: “What immediately stood out to me at Ciphix is the amount of energy, talent and expertise present. After a period of rapid growth and acquisitions, this is precisely the moment to deliberately choose the next phase. By defining one clear course together—driven by the strength of our people and the needs of our customers—we can increase our impact. Ciphix has everything it takes to make a meaningful difference in the success of organisations. I look forward to scaling that impact together with the team: not only in size, but above all in the value we deliver.”

Thinking big, starting small

As organisations increasingly struggle with fragmented systems and the adoption of AI, the demand for integrated, scalable, future-proof solutions continues to grow. Ciphix is known for its pragmatic approach: think big, start small. Van de Poel notes that many organisations want to jump straight into AI, while their processes and systems are not yet ready. “We ensure that customers can walk before they run: process improvement begins with solid automation, integrations and low-code applications. That foundation must be in place before AI can be used effectively.”

The effectiveness of this approach is evident from several long-term, high-impact partnerships. For example, the customer relationship with Marel began with a hackathon and has grown into an intensive collaboration in which Ciphix automates thousands of hours of processes annually—such as through an AI model that gives sales teams immediate insight into their discount margins based on historical data.

Thanks to outgoing CEO Koen Mallee

Ciphix extends its gratitude to Koen Mallee for his valuable contribution to the company’s growth. Under his leadership, Ciphix transitioned from a start-up to a stable and well-structured organisation, and successfully integrated two companies. His leadership laid a strong foundation for future growth. Ciphix is deeply grateful for his dedication and commitment over the past years.

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