The Via Vinci University, short for “the International University for Creative Leadership and Entrepreneurship”, was intended as an international, Netherlands based private university. The name was used in 2000, it now operates under the name of Via Vinci Academy after scrutiny from the Dutch government. It starting using the name in 2007 when the parent institutes IMAGO Group and the International University of Entrepreneurship merged. The name “Via Vinci” refers to "the way" of Leonardo da Vinci, the icon of universal, innovative and creative strength.