1.
The Netherlands
startup ecosystem:
The place to be in
Europe
Marten Lammertink
Second Secretary
Netherlands Embassy Seoul

2.
Startups play important role in Dutch economy, even
though cumulative economic value relatively small
• Startups key drivers of innovation through tech hubs and technology clusters
• Government focus both on inbound and outbound, >€50 mln funding p/y
• Succes stories:
Online file-sharing | $100-200 mln valuation | ≈ 30 FTEs
Online payments | $2 bln+ valuation | ≈ 450 FTEs
Online media reader | $13 mln valuation | ≈ 80 FTEs
Online travel agency | $130 mln exit in 2005 | ≈ 5,000 FTEs

3.
Why should you come to the Netherlands?

4.
The Gateway to Europe

5.
Small country, big tech footprint: 10+ tech hubs

6.
StartupDelta launched in 2014 to support Dutch
startups, „linking pin‟ Dutch startup ecosystem
• Public-private initiative of government and university hubs
• Aim is to boost startup ecosystem in Netherlands and attract foreign
startups to the Netherlands
• Headed by a Special Envoy, Prince Constantijn of the Netherlands, since
July 2016
• Ambition to be among top 5 startup ecosystems by 2020

7.
“Orange Carpet” treatment: Startup Visa
• Affords ambitious entrepreneurs
from outside EU 1 year to launch
new business in Netherlands
• Later stage startups can rely on
easy residence/work permits for
≤5 years
• Application takes 2-6 weeks
• Expats in Netherlands have 30%
Tax-free allowance on gross salary

8.
Services to help startups scale-up to Europe

9.
These fast growing (tech) companies all have a EU
hub in the Netherlands

10.
November 2016: startup mission to Korea
• Part of trajectory (Joint Statement NL-ROK)
• Headed by Prince Constantijn of the Netherlands, StartupDelta
Special Envoy
• 7 startups and 1 hub
• Aims:
1. Support Dutch startups with access to market/investors
2. Promote Netherlands as „place to be‟ for Korean startups
• Roundtable Seoul CCEI,
Pangyo Startup Campus,
Special Get in the Ring Edition, MOUs
• 2017: mission from Korea to NL??

11.
Mission delivered strongs results and follow-up
• Improved market access to
Korea for Dutch startups
• Orange Bridge MOU helps
startups find their way to
Netherlands and Korea
• Increased interest for Dutch
ecosystem in Korea (media
exposure)
• Startup Mentor Network
Korea established
• Solid connection between
hubs KEF and ECE (MOU),
promoting entrepreneurship
education

12.
Need help/more info? Contact us!
• General questions: seo-ea@minbuza.nl
• Startup ecosystem, startup visa: www.startupdelta.org

13.
Thank you for your attention!

14.
Backup

15.
Three key advantages of the Netherlands

16.
#1
European
Digital
Forum
#3
Research
among
European
startups
#4
Global
Startup
Ecosystem
Ranking
Ranking the Dutch startup ecosystem
Dutch startup-ecosystem increasing in popularity in
Europe and beyond

17.
Startups grow fast into unicorns