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Leaps

Leaps

Leaps

Welcome to LEAPs (Leading Ecosystem Action Projects), turning the State of Dutch Tech 2026's decisive action into long-term results.

Join a trusted group of fellow founders or senior leaders to tackle your toughest challenges together

LEAP topic: Spin-off Factory

LEAP topic: Spin-off Factory

Status:
Sprint 1 (Initialisation)

The Netherlands has the academic potential to become the best Spin-off Factory in Europe, yet our innovation pipeline is leaking. Despite world-class research, we fail to turn knowledge into scalable businesses. To fix this, we need concrete tools, standardised deal terms, and super founding teams to bridge the gap between science and the market.

Mission

Ambition

By the end of 2026, we will have developed concrete tools, networks, and playbooks to unlock and scale the true potential of Dutch spin-offs. We are moving away from fragmented support towards a unified ecosystem. Our goal is to convert more world-class research into scalable spin-off companies that have the potential to become future global market leaders.

THE COLD TRUTH

78%

78%

78%

78%

Dutch startups failing to scale

405

405

405

405

The Academic Engine

The Academic Engine

The Academic Engine

The Academic Engine

New academic spin-offs created in NL since 2022.

New academic spin-offs created in NL since 2022.

2.5x

2.5x

2.5x

2.5x

The Mindset Gap

The Mindset Gap

The Mindset Gap

The Mindset Gap

US tech spin-offs scale two and a half times faster than ours.

US tech spin-offs scale two and a half times faster than ours.

World-class science only changes the world if we build the companies to scale it.

World-class science only changes the world if we build the companies to scale it.

World-class science only changes the world if we build the companies to scale it.

boy sitting while holding electronic device part
boy sitting while holding electronic device part

community ask

HELP US ENGINEER THE FACTORY

HELP US ENGINEER THE FACTORY

We are building the Spin-off Factory tools, but we cannot do it alone. We need input from experienced spin-off founders. Help our knowledge institutes absorb your advice, test our tools, and work together to grow scalable spin-offs for our future economy.

We are building the Spin-off Factory tools, but we cannot do it alone. We need input from experienced spin-off founders. Help our knowledge institutes absorb your advice, test our tools, and work together to grow scalable spin-offs for our future economy.

Live Roadmap

Sprint Timeline 2026

2

3

4

Sprint 1

Initialisation

12 Feb - 16 Apr

Completed

Sprint 2

Foundation

16 Apr - 30 Jun

In Progress

Sprint 3

Scale

30 Jun - 29 Oct

Upcoming

Sprint 4

Impact

29 Oct - 12 Feb

Upcoming

Live Roadmap

Sprint Timeline 2026

Sprint 3

Scale

30 Jun - 29 Oct

Upcoming

Sprint 4

Impacy

29 Oct - 12 Feb

Upcoming

Sprint 1

Initialisation

12 Feb - 16 Apr

Completed

Sprint 2

Foundation

16 Apr - 30 Jun

In Progress

Live Roadmap

Sprint Timeline 2026

2

3

4

Sprint 1

Initialisation

12 Feb - 16 Apr

Completed

Sprint 2

Foundation

16 Apr - 30 Jun

In Progress

Sprint 3

Scale

30 Jun - 29 Oct

Upcoming

Sprint 4

Impact

29 Oct - 12 Feb

Upcoming

LEAP Owners: Anouschka Versleijen, Ras Lalmy, Hans Brouwer

Sprint Lead: Lech Bakhuizen van de Brink (Techleap)

Contact us

Contact us

Testimonial Image

Let’s take more risks together to invest in those magnificent Dutch growth gems.

Let’s take more risks together to invest in those magnificent Dutch growth gems.

Rob Jetten, Prime Minister-Designate and Party Leader D66

Rob Jetten, Prime Minister-Designate and Party Leader D66

Still unsure of something?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Still unsure of something?

Get in touch

What are LEAPs?

LEAPs (Leading Ecosystem Action Projects) are the execution arm of the State of Dutch Tech. They are active, gated working groups where founders, investors, and policymakers collaborate to turn the ecosystem's biggest friction points into tangible solutions.

How were LEAPS formed?

How do I join a working group?

Is this open to the public?

What happens inside a LEAP workspace?

What are LEAPs?

LEAPs (Leading Ecosystem Action Projects) are the execution arm of the State of Dutch Tech. They are active, gated working groups where founders, investors, and policymakers collaborate to turn the ecosystem's biggest friction points into tangible solutions.

How were LEAPS formed?
How do I join a working group?
Is this open to the public?
What happens inside a LEAP workspace?