The Startup Ecosystem of The Netherlands

The Netherlands is home to numerous influential startups that have developed into global players, including Booking.com and Adyen. Most impressively, Dutch entrepreneurs have also managed to create Advanced Semiconductor Materials Lithography (ASML), which manufactures the machines used in the production of computer chips and one of the largest suppliers in the semiconductor industry. As of 2023, the company was named the most valuable European technology business after reaching a US$ 270 billion valuation.
The Netherlands boasts an outstanding level of urban innovation and quality of life to both local entrepreneurs and immigrating talent. The government of the Netherlands has set up the Ambitious Entrepreneurship Action Plan with a budget of €75 million. The plan covers multiple strategic measures to fund and support entrepreneurs, such as offering Startup visas for non-EU citizens. One area of interest under the Ambitious Entrepreneurship Action Plan is the attraction of foreign startups through support agencies such as Techleap.nl and Netherlands Point of Entry.
The Dutch government is involved in boosting the entrepreneurial scene through organizations such as the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and government-supported accelerators.
In addition, the Netherlands has registered record numbers of VC and foreign investments in the past few years and has an ambitious goal of becoming a unicorn nation.
On the other hand, this level of progress comes with some drawbacks for startup founders who might get discouraged by the high cost of living and by the extensive labor laws benefiting employees.
The good news is that the Netherlands is already primed for global scaling, especially considering the high level of English spoken in the country and the tax structure which encourages the immigration of foreign workers. Furthermore, its strategic location and connectivity to multiple global hubs have earned the country the title of "the Gateway to Europe.” The country is culturally impacting the global startup ecosystem with strong tech media and events such as The Next Web, and bootstrapping thought leaders like Pieter Levels, founder of Nomad List. One of the leading global startup platforms, Dealroom, is also based in the Netherlands. The country’s global mindset and ambition to catch up with its US and Asian counterparts will be a key factor for the ecosystem’s success in the upcoming years.