Today, you can convert a great idea into a business without needing to build non-core elements from scratch. A developing ecosystem of online tools is now enabling Dutch startups to scale on a pay-as-you-grow basis. To better understand how this phenomenon is helping local startups to launch and grow more effectively, Stripe, The Next Web, TQ, Startupbootcamp, Rockstart and Prime Ventures have conducted research into the tools that are making up this new startup toolkit.

1. The Dutch Startup Toolkit
#StartupTools

2. €104bn 345,000
W H AT ’ S P O W E R I N G T H E G R O W T H O F T H E
D U T C H S TA R T U P E C O N O M Y ?
volume of Dutch
online economy
internet-related jobs
in the Netherlands

3. J O I N T R E S E A R C H I N T O T H I R D PA R T Y T O O L S
A N D H O W T H E Y H E L P D U T C H S TA R T U P S
G R O W A N D S C A L E :
Survey conducted from October to November, 2017.
98 startups responded, 78% of answers came from
founders and senior leaders.

4. Launching and scaling a startup has become easier
than ever before.
stated that third party tools
have made it easier to launch a
startup in the Netherlands in
the last 5 years.
stated that third party tools
have made it easier to scale a
startup in the Netherlands in
the last 5 years.
86% 82%

5. Tools are not only widespread, but can even be
considered critical infrastructure.
stated that their startup
could not exist in its
current form today
without third-party tools.
use more than five third
party tools for their startup.
73%70%

6. 0
20
40
60
80
23%30%
38%
52%
69%
Availability of tools More mature
ecosystem
Availability of
funding
Changing consumer
behavior
Government
support
The availability of tools is the #1 factor that has
made it easier to launch a startup, according to the
respondents - way before government support.

7. T H E D U T C H S TA R T U P S TA C K
An ecosystem of cloud tools that are
enabling Dutch startups to scale on a
pay-as-you-grow basis.

8. M A I N B E N E F I T S
0
16
32
48
64
32%
49%53%
61%66%
Easier to work
remotely as a
team
Reduced
operating
costs
Increased
productivity
Faster time
to market
Easier to
expand
internationally

9. W H AT B U S I N E S S A R E A S A R E M O S T LY A F F E C T E D ?
0
14.5
29
43.5
58
23%
32%35%
47%
56%
Collaboration &
Communication
Hosting &
Data Storage
Analytics
Customer
Support
Payments

10. C U S T O M E R S U P P O R T
H O S T I N G A N D D ATA S T O R A G E
PAY M E N T S
T E A M C O L L A B O R AT I O N & C O M M U N I C AT I O N
A N A LY T I C S
M O S T C O M M O N LY U S E D T O O L S
( O F M O R E T H A N 2 0 0 M E N T I O N E D )
mixpanel
zendesk intercom
AdyenMollie

11. C O N C L U S I O N
• A multitude of different tools and services have emerged
that make it easier and cheaper for entrepreneurs to
start and scale their business in the Netherlands.
• The Dutch startup community is running on an
infrastructure of third-party tools that makes it easier
for startups to access international markets.