TL;DR: Dutch Innovation Cities News, November 2026: Pick Your City by Pilots, Not Brand
Dutch Innovation Cities news, November, 2026 comes down to one lesson for you: in the Netherlands, access to pilots, labs, regional money and policy makers decides which startups win. Serial founder Violetta Bonenkamp (Mean CEO of CADChain and Fe/male Switch) says you should choose a city by who will pay for your first pilot, not by its fame.
- The North got louder. Groningen, Leeuwarden, Assen and Emmen opened a representation in The Hague in 2026. They have also had a Brussels office since 2015. Expect more calls and co-funded pilots in hydrogen, circular plastics and green chemistry.
- Amsterdam is not your only option. Rotterdam counts 1,600+ active startups. Groningen has 244,000 residents from 186 nationalities, and over half are under 35. Pilot contracts often come faster where fewer startups compete for each budget line.
- Smart city money is moving to physical problems. Grids, water, hydrogen and materials now win over dashboards and apps. Link your product to tons of CO2, liters of water or kilowatt-hours.
Which Dutch City Fits Your Startup?
| Founder type | Best city match |
|---|---|
| Hardware and deeptech | Eindhoven, then Delft |
| Logistics and climate tech | Rotterdam and Emmen |
| Health tech | Utrecht or Groningen |
| Govtech and legal tech | The Hague and Zoetermeer |
How to Choose Your First Pilot City
- Write one sentence on your problem and who pays.
- List 20 possible pilot buyers in each city.
- Score cities on labs, hiring, pilots, procurement speed and university links.
- Book three local conversations within one week.
- Protect your designs and files before the first demo.
Skip the common traps. Don't choose by brand, chase grants before customers, or spend €80,000 on custom software before a municipality says yes. For a wider view, read this Dutch startup city comparison. Then check Dutch R&D tax incentives such as WBSO before you set your budget.
Founders who land pilots in Q2 2027 are writing proposals now. Put your city shortlist on this week's to-do list.
Check out other fresh startup news and trends that you might like:
Dutch Innovation Cities news in November 2026 points founders to one blunt fact: in the Netherlands, ACCESS decides who wins. That means access to pilots, to labs, to regional money and to the people in The Hague who write the rules. I am Violetta Bonenkamp, better known as Mean CEO. I run CADChain and Fe/male Switch in parallel, and I have watched Dutch cities court startups for years. Some of them deliver real infrastructure, and some deliver nice brochures. This briefing is for entrepreneurs, startup founders, freelancers and business owners who want to choose a Dutch city with a clear head, before the 2027 budget cycles lock in.
Here is my promise. You will get a city-by-city breakdown, hard numbers, a step-by-step pilot playbook, the mistakes I see founders repeat every quarter, and my personal take as a European serial founder who has gone through programs like Yes!Delft, Brightlands and TU/e Launch. Some of it will sting a little. Good. In my experience, “education must be experiential and slightly uncomfortable.”
What are Dutch Innovation Cities, and why should founders care in November 2026?
Dutch Innovation Cities is an informal label. It describes cities in the Netherlands known for smart urban projects, technology hubs, startup activity and city-led development in mobility, energy, water management, health tech and digital services. No ministry hands out a formal certificate. The phrase usually covers Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Eindhoven, Utrecht, The Hague and Zoetermeer, plus the northern hubs of Groningen, Leeuwarden, Assen and Emmen.
Let me clear up one possible confusion. When I say “smart city” here, I mean a municipality that uses sensors, data platforms and public-private pilots to run services such as traffic, energy grids or water systems. I do NOT mean a city that simply has fast Wi-Fi and a startup festival. For a founder, a smart city is a potential first customer, a test site and a reference case rolled into one. That is why these cities matter more to your sales pipeline than to your Instagram feed.
The Netherlands also has a long track record of turning practical problems into new tools. The list of Dutch inventions on Wikipedia traces this back to the herring buss, a fishing vessel probably first built in Hoorn around 1415. Six centuries later, the same pattern repeats: a hard local problem (floods, crowded streets, energy transition) becomes a testbed, and the testbed becomes an export product. Founders who sell into that loop win.
What is the big Dutch Innovation Cities news story for November 2026?
The quiet headline of 2026 is political. According to Eurocities’ profile of Cities Northern Netherlands, the partnership of Groningen, Leeuwarden, Assen and Emmen has kept a representation in Brussels since 2015 and opened a representation in The Hague in 2026. That sounds like bureaucratic housekeeping. It is a signal that the North wants a direct voice in national budget talks, and national budget talks decide where pilot money flows.
Here is why that matters to you. Cities lobby for programs, and programs need startups to fill them. When a regional coalition sits closer to national decision makers, expect more calls for proposals, more challenge-based procurement and more co-funded pilots in hydrogen, circular plastics and green chemistry. If your product touches those areas, the North deserves a slot on your shortlist before the crowd notices.
The second story is the steady rebalancing away from Amsterdam. Earlier coverage, including the May 2026 Dutch Innovation Cities startup edition, already argued that pilot-first founders often do better in Rotterdam, Eindhoven, Delft, Wageningen and Utrecht. By November, that advice feels less like a contrarian take and more like common sense among founders I talk to.
Which Dutch cities lead for startups right now? The November 2026 list
Let’s break it down. Below is my working list, ranked by what each city gives a founder in practical terms. I judge cities by lab access, hiring depth, pilot opportunities, procurement speed and university-industry links. Visibility comes last.
- Eindhoven: hardware, design and deeptech. The Brainport region around Eindhoven is famous for technology and design, with chip, photonics and high-tech manufacturing clusters. If you build anything physical, this is where suppliers, engineers and test benches sit within cycling distance.
- Rotterdam: port technology, logistics and energy transition. Rotterdam links urban redevelopment with one of Europe’s largest ports. Earlier ecosystem data counted more than 1,600 active startups in healthcare, smart logistics and energy.
- Amsterdam: capital, international talent and smart city programs. Amsterdam Smart City and the circular economy strategy give the capital strong brand pull. It also brings the highest rents and the fiercest competition for attention.
- Utrecht: research, health and mobility. Central location, a large university and strong mobility projects make Utrecht a smart pick for health tech and transport startups that need national reach.
- Groningen: talent and the fastest-growing campus. Home to 244,000 people from 186 nationalities, with more than half the population under 35. Young talent, lower costs and energy expertise.
- Emmen: industrial scale, green chemistry and hydrogen. The fourth-largest Dutch municipality by territory, with 110,000 inhabitants and the largest industrial sector of the Northern Netherlands, anchored by the Greenwise Campus.
- The Hague: policy, security and legal tech. The seat of government, international courts and a magnet for govtech, cyber and legal tech founders who need regulators nearby.
- Zoetermeer: Dutch Innovation Park. A purpose-built campus where companies, education and government work side by side. Underrated for B2B founders who want a quiet base close to The Hague.
- Delft and Wageningen: the pilot specialists. Delft brings engineering talent and the Yes!Delft incubator. Wageningen dominates agrifood and life sciences research.
- Leeuwarden and Assen: niche regional players. Smaller hubs inside the Cities Northern Netherlands network with strong ties to applied universities and SMEs.
Travel media tells a similar story from a different angle. Visit Europe’s guide to creative Dutch cities highlights Eindhoven, Arnhem and Rotterdam as places where creativity and function go together. Tourists see design. Founders should see suppliers, prototyping shops and customers.
What do the numbers say about Dutch startup hubs?
Numbers cut through hype. Here are the data points I keep on my desk when founders ask me where to set up. Some of them are a few years old, so treat them as direction, and check fresh figures before you sign a lease.
- 2,000 startups in North Holland and 1,400 in South Holland, according to a 2022 Sifted and Dealroom report cited in the Seedblink analysis of the Dutch startup ecosystem. North Brabant, Utrecht and Gelderland follow.
- 1,600+ active startups in Rotterdam, concentrated in healthcare, smart logistics and energy transition.
- 244,000 residents and 186 nationalities in Groningen, with OVER 50% of the population under 35.
- 110,000 inhabitants in Emmen, which holds the largest industrial sector in the Northern Netherlands.
- 11 years of Brussels presence for Cities Northern Netherlands (since 2015), plus a NEW office in The Hague in 2026.
- Top-five position for the Netherlands in global rankings, according to the Dutch government’s description of the Netherlands Innovation Network in the United States, which runs offices in Washington, Boston and San Francisco and also covers Canada.
- 129 km of cycle paths in Houten, a planned town of about 50,000 people named “Cycling City of the Netherlands” in 2008 and 2018, as documented in the Strong Towns Langley case studies on Dutch urban planning.
The shocking part for many international founders: the “Amsterdam or nothing” mindset ignores thousands of startups and entire provinces. Those provinces often hand out pilot contracts faster, because fewer startups compete for each municipal budget line. Less noise means more attention from the civil servant who actually signs the purchase order.
What do investors and ecosystem insiders say?
Dutch investors have been saying the same thing for a while, and founders keep ignoring it. Edwin Hengstmengel, Partner at Endeit Capital, put it plainly in the Seedblink report: “I welcome everyone to visit The Netherlands and don’t stop in Amsterdam. You might enjoy Groningen, Wageningen, Eindhoven and Delft!”
Angel investor Andres Campo added a point about local capital that I fully share: “Investing locally is unleashing a trickle effect that provides opportunities for everyone locally. It’s empowering a new generation of founders, which will go on to invest and nurture the ecosystem; one check invested locally can make a massive difference.” In plain terms: regional angels back regional founders. If you move to Eindhoven or Groningen and show up at local events, you join a smaller pool where your face gets remembered.
My own view, from running CADChain across Europe, the US, Asia and Australia: a city is a distribution channel. When CADChain grew from about 4 people to roughly 25 FTEs during 2021 and 2022, the deciding factor was never a skyline. It was proximity to engineers, accelerator programs and partners who understood CAD workflows. Eindhoven-style ecosystems give you that density.
How do you pick the right Dutch city for your first pilot? A step-by-step guide
A pilot is a time-limited test of your product with a real customer, often a municipality, port authority, hospital or industrial partner. It is the fastest route to a reference case in the Netherlands. Here is the process I recommend to founders inside Fe/male Switch and to anyone who asks me over coffee.
- Write one sentence about the problem you solve and who pays for it. “We cut port container idle time for terminal operators” points to Rotterdam. “We trace hydrogen purity for chemical plants” points to Emmen. Vague sentences produce vague city choices.
- Map the buyers before the investors. List 20 organizations in each candidate city that could pay for a pilot. If you cannot find 20, the city is wrong for your stage.
- Score each city on five criteria. Give 1 to 5 points for lab access, hiring depth, pilot opportunities, procurement speed and university-industry links. Add up the scores. Visibility gets zero weight.
- Check the regional programs. Look at the regional development agency, the local incubator and the university startup office. Yes!Delft, TU/e Launch and Brightlands are good examples of programs that connect founders with industry.
- Book three conversations in one week. Talk to one civil servant, one corporate innovation manager and one founder who already ran a pilot there. Ask each of them how long the last contract took to sign.
- Design the pilot like a game level. Set a clear win condition, a deadline, a budget and a fallback. In gamepreneurship terms, every level must end with an asset: data, a testimonial, a signed follow-up or a lesson you can sell to the next city.
- Protect your IP before the first demo. Pilots involve sharing files, designs and data. Sign an NDA, document what you bring, and timestamp your files. At CADChain we built tools for exactly this, because “protection and compliance should be invisible.”
- Use no-code to prove the concept. My rule: “Default to no-code until you hit a hard wall.” Fe/male Switch runs as a full startup game built with no-code tools. Your pilot dashboard can too.
- Turn the pilot into a playbook for the next city. Dutch municipalities talk to each other. A clean case study in Utrecht opens doors in Groningen. Write it up within two weeks of finishing, while the numbers are fresh.
Which city fits which founder? Practical examples
Theory is cheap. Here are founder profiles I meet often and where I would send each of them in late 2026.
The hardware founder with a prototype
Go to Eindhoven. You need machine shops, component suppliers and engineers who have shipped physical products. The Brainport cluster gives you all three, and TU/e Launch helps with early structure. Amsterdam will charge you double the rent for half the relevant contacts.
The logistics or climate tech founder
Look at Rotterdam first and Emmen second. Rotterdam offers port operators and energy companies. Emmen offers industrial plants working on biobased plastics, green chemistry and hydrogen, plus a cross-border corridor with Germany. Picture a sensor startup tracking emissions: a Rotterdam terminal pilot plus an Emmen chemical plant pilot gives you two very different reference cases inside 200 km.
The health tech founder
Consider Utrecht or Groningen. Both host large university medical centers and research groups. Groningen adds a young, international talent pool and lower costs, which matters when your runway is 12 months.
The solo freelancer or consultant
Pick the city where your clients run pilots. A freelance data analyst can find steady work around smart mobility projects in Utrecht or port digitalization in Rotterdam. Follow the procurement calendars, because every funded pilot needs extra hands, and freelancers fill those gaps quickly.
The govtech or legal tech founder
Base yourself between The Hague and Zoetermeer. Policy makers, regulators and Dutch Innovation Park are close together. With Cities Northern Netherlands now represented in The Hague as well, you can meet northern municipalities without a train trip to Groningen.
What mistakes do founders make when choosing a Dutch city?
I see the same errors every quarter. Avoid these and you will be ahead of most international founders landing at Schiphol.
- Choosing by brand. Amsterdam looks great on a pitch deck (the slide presentation you show investors). It may be the worst place to find your first paying pilot.
- Chasing grants before customers. Grants are fuel. A grant with no buyer at the end leaves you with a report and an empty pipeline.
- Ignoring the North. Groningen, Leeuwarden, Assen and Emmen now have a voice in The Hague and Brussels. Founders who wait until the money arrives will queue behind those who arrived early.
- Treating municipalities like startups. Public procurement has rules, timelines and budget years. Plan for months of process and build cash buffers around it.
- Sharing designs without protection. Pilots mean files flying between partners. Engineers should not have to become lawyers, so put IP hygiene into your tools from day one.
- Skipping Dutch-language basics. As a linguist, I can tell you that even a few Dutch phrases in a meeting with a civil servant change the tone. English works for business, and small gestures build trust.
- Collecting badges. Joining five accelerators for the logos is vanity. “Gamification without skin in the game is useless,” and the same goes for accelerator hopping without a pilot at the end.
- Building custom software too early. Spending €80,000 on a platform before a single municipality says yes is the classic way to burn runway.
What is Mean CEO’s deeper analysis of Dutch Innovation Cities news?
Now for the provocative part. Here are five takes I hold after years inside the Dutch and European startup scene.
1. Cities compete like game designers
Every Dutch city builds a “game” for founders: subsidies as rewards, procurement rules as constraints and campuses as levels. Most founders play without reading the rules. Read the city’s climate plan, mobility plan and economic agenda. Those documents tell you which quests will get funded next year.
2. Regional coalitions will beat solo cities
Cities Northern Netherlands shows the model: four cities pooling lobbying, knowledge and European engagement. I expect more of these alliances. For founders, a coalition means one pilot can open four markets. Ask every city you speak with which partner cities it works with.
3. Smart city money is shifting to physical problems
Dashboards and apps had their moment. The budgets I watch now go to grids, water, hydrogen, circular plastics and climate adaptation. That favors deeptech and hardware founders, and it punishes software founders who cannot connect their product to a physical outcome such as tons of CO2, liters of water or kilowatt-hours.
4. Women founders need infrastructure in every city
My line is simple: “Women do not need more inspiration; they need infrastructure.” Dutch cities host plenty of inspiring events. Few of them provide structured access to pilot contracts, IP advice and investor networks for women. Any city that fixes this will attract talent that others leave on the table. Until then, founders can practice pitching and negotiating in low-risk sandboxes such as Fe/male Switch before going into real procurement meetings.
5. AI makes small teams city-agnostic, up to a point
I treat AI as a force multiplier for small teams. A solo founder with AI agents can research ten municipalities, draft proposals and track procurement calls without hiring staff. But pilots still happen in physical places, with physical people. Use AI for the paperwork, and use your train pass for the handshakes.
What should founders watch for between now and early 2027?
- New regional calls linked to the North’s presence in The Hague, especially in hydrogen, biobased materials and smart mobility.
- Municipal budget decisions for 2027, which shape which pilots get funded in spring.
- University spin-off programs in Delft, Eindhoven, Groningen and Wageningen opening new cohorts.
- International missions run by the Netherlands Innovation Network, useful for founders who want US or Canadian partners.
- Urban planning projects in cycling and walkable towns such as Houten, which keep exporting Dutch mobility know-how abroad.
FOMO check: the founders who land pilots in Q2 2027 are writing proposals in Q4 2026. If you are reading this in November and you have no city shortlist yet, you are already late for the first round.
Frequently asked questions about Dutch Innovation Cities
Is Amsterdam still the best Dutch city for startups?
Amsterdam is best for fundraising visibility and international hiring. For first pilots, Rotterdam, Eindhoven, Delft, Wageningen and Utrecht often perform better, because they offer applied research, industrial partners and domain-specific testing environments.
Which Dutch city is best for hardware and deeptech?
Eindhoven, thanks to its technology and design cluster, suppliers and university links. Delft is a strong second for engineering-heavy startups.
What is Dutch Innovation Park?
Dutch Innovation Park is a campus in Zoetermeer where companies, education providers and government work together on practical projects. It suits B2B founders who want proximity to The Hague without central city prices.
Why should founders look at the Northern Netherlands?
Groningen, Leeuwarden, Assen and Emmen offer young talent, lower costs, strong energy and circular economy expertise, and since 2026 a direct representation in The Hague alongside their Brussels office.
Do I need to speak Dutch to run a pilot in a Dutch city?
No. Most business happens in English. Some tender documents and municipal meetings run in Dutch, so a local partner or translator helps, and a few Dutch phrases help even more.
What are the next steps for your startup?
The November 2026 picture is clear. Dutch cities compete for founders through pilots, campuses and regional coalitions, and the smartest money is moving toward physical problems like energy, water, logistics and materials. Amsterdam keeps its brand, and the North, Eindhoven, Rotterdam and Utrecht keep handing out real contracts. Your job is to read the rules of each city’s game and pick the one where your product solves a problem someone already budgets for.
Next steps, in order:
- Write your one-sentence problem and buyer statement today.
- Score three Dutch cities on the five criteria from the guide above.
- Book three conversations in your top city within the next two weeks.
- Protect your files and designs before your first demo.
- Build your pilot dashboard with no-code tools and save your cash for travel and sales.
As I tell every player in Fe/male Switch: treat your startup like a strategic game. The goal is to collect information, assets and relationships faster than your competitors. Dutch cities have laid out the board. Make your first move before the 2027 round begins.
People Also Ask:
What does the term Dutch Innovation Cities refer to?
Dutch Innovation Cities is not one official program. The phrase usually describes cities in the Netherlands that rank well on global city indexes and invest heavily in research, startups, new technology, and smart city projects. Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Eindhoven, Utrecht, and The Hague are the names that come up most often. Delft and Wageningen are also known for university-led research in engineering and food science.
What are the largest Dutch cities?
The largest cities in the Netherlands by population are Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, and Eindhoven. Amsterdam is the capital and the biggest city. Rotterdam is home to Europe's largest seaport, and The Hague is the seat of the Dutch government. Other large cities include Groningen, Tilburg, Almere, and Breda.
What is an innovation city?
An innovation city is an urban area where universities, research centers, startups, established companies, and local government work closely together to create new ideas, products, and technologies. These cities attract skilled workers and investors. They also tend to test new solutions in public spaces, such as smarter traffic systems, cleaner energy, and digital public services.
Which industry is booming in the Netherlands?
Several sectors are growing fast in the Netherlands. Semiconductors and high-tech manufacturing lead the way, with chip machine maker ASML based near Eindhoven. Other fast-growing fields include IT and software, life sciences and health, agrifood technology, logistics, fintech, and clean energy sources like offshore wind and hydrogen.
What are the top 5 smart cities?
The answer depends on which ranking you check. Recent editions of the IMD Smart City Index have placed Zurich, Oslo, Geneva, Singapore, and Canberra at or near the top. Rankings shift from year to year based on factors like transport, health services, digital access, and air quality. Amsterdam regularly appears among the higher-ranked European cities.
What is the Innovation Cities Index?
The Innovation Cities™ Index is a global city ranking published by the research firm 2thinknow. It has been running since 2007 and is among the oldest and largest rankings of its kind. The 2017 edition covered 500 cities using 162 indicators. These indicators measure the conditions that help cities generate new ideas and businesses, such as culture, infrastructure, and markets.
Which Dutch city is best known for technology?
Eindhoven is widely seen as the technology capital of the Netherlands. The city and its surrounding area, known as Brainport, are home to Philips, ASML, the Eindhoven University of Technology, and the High Tech Campus. The Intelligent Community Forum named Eindhoven the world's smartest region in 2011. Its design scene, including Dutch Design Week, also attracts global attention.
What are the G5 and G32 city networks?
In early 2017, Dutch cities formed two networks to work together on smart city plans. The G5 brings together the five largest cities: Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, and Eindhoven. The G32 connects 32 medium-sized cities. Both groups share knowledge on the use of data and digital tools in areas like mobility, energy, safety, and public services.
Why is Amsterdam considered a hub for new technology?
Amsterdam attracts startups, tech firms, and international talent thanks to its open business climate, English-speaking workforce, and strong digital infrastructure. The Amsterdam Smart City platform, launched in 2009, links residents, companies, and researchers to test urban solutions. The city also hosts the western regional hub of EIT Urban Mobility, which supports mobility projects across Belgium, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
How is Rotterdam using technology to solve urban problems?
Rotterdam tackles large-scale problems in housing, food, water, and climate with creative, tech-based ideas. Its projects include a floating dairy farm, a floating office, and public water squares that store rainwater during heavy storms. The Port of Rotterdam also uses sensors and a digital model of the harbor to plan shipping and cut emissions.
FAQ on Dutch Innovation Cities and Startup Hubs in 2026
Which Dutch tax incentives lower R&D costs for startups in innovation cities?
Three schemes matter most. WBSO reduces payroll taxes on R&D hours, with an extra boost for starters. The Innovation Box taxes qualifying innovation profits at an effective 9%. The RVO Innovation Credit provides risk-bearing loans for development. Apply for WBSO before the work starts. Explore Dutch R&D tax incentives for startups
Are Breda and Tilburg smart lower-cost alternatives to the Randstad?
Yes, for sustainable tech, clean energy and food tech founders. Both cities offer cheaper offices and housing, university and applied-science talent, and short train rides to Eindhoven and Rotterdam. Use them as a base while you run pilots in bigger hubs, and your runway lasts longer. See why Breda and Tilburg attract founders
What does Chemelot in Limburg offer circular economy startups?
Chemelot, near Sittard-Geleen, is one of Europe's largest chemical and materials sites and now hosts a €135M textile regeneration hub. Founders in recycled fibers, materials science or chemical recycling can find industrial-scale testing and offtake partners there. Pitch a feedstock or process pilot rather than a lab demo. Read about the Chemelot textile regeneration hub
How do startups find Dutch municipal tenders and innovation challenges?
Monitor TenderNed, the national procurement platform, and set keyword alerts for your sector. Follow RVO's SBIR calls, where government buyers fund feasibility and development phases. Watch for the Startup in Residence programs that some cities run. Contact the procurement officer during the market consultation, before the tender text is final.
How should founders price a paid pilot with a Dutch municipality?
Never pilot for free, because unpaid tests rarely convert. Keep the price below the municipality's direct-award or multiple-quote threshold, often a five-figure sum, so a department manager can sign quickly. Put deliverables, success metrics and a pre-agreed follow-up contract price in the pilot agreement.
What compliance standards do Dutch cities and investors expect from AI startups?
Expect GDPR-proof data handling, explainable AI and ESG reporting from day one. Municipalities run data protection impact assessments before pilots, and international investors increasingly screen ESG metrics. To shorten due diligence, prepare a data processing agreement, model documentation, an EU AI Act risk classification and a simple impact sheet. Check Dutch ESG and AI compliance trends
Is Dutch venture capital still funding deeptech despite tighter markets?
Yes. June 2026 rounds for Leyden Labs, Nearfield Instruments, Vertoro and Vivici show that investors still back technically demanding companies. They expect longer runways, proof of industrial demand and non-dilutive co-funding. Before raising, pair a paid pilot with a grant to strengthen your negotiating position. Review recent Dutch deeptech funding rounds
Can non-EU founders move to a Dutch innovation city on a startup visa?
Yes. The Dutch startup visa grants a one-year residence permit if you work with an RVO-recognized facilitator, such as an approved incubator or accelerator. After that year, you can switch to a self-employment permit. Choose a facilitator in your target city so mentoring and pilot access line up. Plan your move with the European Startup Playbook
How can the Netherlands Innovation Network help Dutch startups expand to North America?
The network is part of the Ministry of Economic Affairs. Its offices in Washington, Boston and San Francisco, which also cover Canada, organize themed missions and partner introductions. Contact the attaché for your sector six months before a mission, bring your Dutch pilot results, and ask for introductions to labs and corporates. Connect with the Netherlands Innovation Network in the US
What do Enschede and the Twente region offer tech founders?
Twente is anchored by the University of Twente and specializes in robotics, nanotechnology, medical devices and smart manufacturing. Kennispark and the Novel-T incubator support spin-offs with funding and industry contacts. Costs are well below Randstad levels, and the nearby German border opens a second market for B2B pilots.
