Based on the report’s insights, we see that while we thrive on our local and international connections as well as benefit from a high-quality research infrastructure, the Dutch startup ecosystem still needs to strengthen its positions within several focus areas, such as the quality and volume of Life Sciences research produced in the country, as well as on the level of involvement of the local Dutch investor base and the size of available early-stage funding.
What can we do to use the momentum?
It is essential to improve the Netherlands’ tax regime to make it easier for early-stage businesses to attract talent with stock options and promote the reinvestment of investors’ earnings. Providing additional funding for coding bootcamps, STEM programmes, and other initiatives to develop the tech workforce will help ensure startups can find the diverse talent they need to continue to grow. Increased outreach to international talent could help on this front as well. Finally, programmes focused on diversity and inclusion could widen the impact of an ecosystem that still trails comparable hubs in female participation.
With incredible talent and increasing access to the funds necessary for companies to dream big, the future looks bright for Amsterdam startups. This momentum also seems to be lifting nearby cities such as Rotterdam, Utrecht, and Eindhoven as well, meaning the entire Amsterdam Delta, and the Dutch startup ecosystem as a whole, are poised to continue growing rapidly in the years to come.