Amsterdam, 1 May, 2026 - Techleap is moving forward with a new organisational structure. As of 1 May , Techleap is organised as a public-private organisation, with independent entities each with their own focus and funding. However, Techleap remains one: one ecosystem, one mission, one movement.
"Over the past years, we have built Techleap step by step into an organisation that founders in the Netherlands can rely on," says Managing Director Maarten Cleeren. "I am proud of what we have achieved together. With Constantijn, and now Greg and Bob at the helm, each bringing valuable knowledge of the ecosystem, I am convinced that Techleap is stronger than ever."
The new structure stems from a decision by the Ministry of Economic Affairs in May 2023 to investigate which of Techleap's activities could be privately funded. During the past subsidy period, Techleap decided — after extensive consultation with the Ministry and a broad show of support from the Techleap Community, signed by hundreds of entrepreneurs, investors and knowledge institutions — to privatise its Community activities.
A new subsidy has also been granted, focused on deeptech startups and scaleups and the creation of more spin-offs from academic research at universities. As the knowledge centre of the Dutch tech ecosystem — with the annual State of Dutch Tech report as its foundation — and as a trusted partner of the government in developing startup and scaleup policy, Techleap is well positioned to enter this new phase. The result: two complementary entities, each contributing from their own strengths to the same ambition — positioning the Netherlands as a leading and resilient tech ecosystem.
"The mission is unchanged, the impact grows."
Techleap has been separated into the following entities:
Techleap Deeptech & Ecosystem, led by Greg de Temmerman, is funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy. The focus is on deeptech startups and scaleups in sectors aligned with the National Technology Strategy, such as semiconductors, quantum, energy and climate technology — technologies that are critical to the strategic autonomy and economic resilience of the Netherlands. The organisation also invests heavily in valorisation: translating academic research into new companies, in close collaboration with universities. This ambition is reinforced by the strategic alliance Techleap formed a year ago with TNO and Invest-NL — aimed at bringing tech innovations to market faster and strengthening the international competitive position of the Netherlands and its tech companies. These are the foundations on which the Netherlands can play a sovereign and sustainable role in the global tech landscape.
Stichting Techleap, led by Constantijn van Oranje, will operate entirely without government funding. This includes Techleap Community, the vibrant founders community led by Bob Rietveld, and the new AI Hub, which Techleap is developing together with a consortium of entrepreneurs. The AI Hub underlines the urgency for the Netherlands to build a strong position in global AI developments. As co-founder of Techleap, Constantijn also serves as special envoy for Techleap Deeptech & Ecosystem. Both teams work closely together: where Techleap Deeptech & Ecosystem strengthens the technological and scientific foundations, Techleap Community connects the people who make the difference.
"The Netherlands has all the ingredients to be a global player in tech: talent, knowledge, a strong ecosystem and the drive to act," says Constantijn van Oranje. "But the world is not waiting — and technological dependency is no longer an abstract threat. With this new structure, we can move faster, bring more focus, and serve founders and investors even better. The mission is unchanged, the impact grows."
According to Constantijn van Oranje, deeptech is not a luxury. "It is a necessity for our economic resilience. Having a key position in technology development is essential to safeguarding strategic sovereignty. By focusing on spin-offs, valorisation and startups and scaleups in sectors such as semiconductors, quantum, energy and climate tech, we are backing the companies that can make this difference."
Farewell to Maarten Cleeren
With the new structure, Techleap also says farewell to Managing Director Maarten Cleeren. As its director, he was for many years the driving force behind the organisation. He steered Techleap through a shifting political and financial climate and built a structure in which publicly and privately funded programmes not only coexist, but actively reinforce each other. His dedication has been instrumental in making Techleap what it is today: an indispensable link in the Dutch tech ecosystem.
"Maarten has built something few people manage to achieve: an organisation that is bigger than one person, and that stands precisely because of that," says Constantijn van Oranje. "His dedication, his patience and his ability to build bridges — between public and private — have made Techleap what it is today. That is a foundation to be proud of."
About Techleap
Techleap accelerates the growth of Dutch tech founders and companies to drive economic progress and societal change. Driven by a dynamic community of founders, investors and stakeholders, the organisation cultivates a unique ecosystem focused on knowledge sharing and collaboration. Its mission is to establish the Netherlands as a global hub for tech entrepreneurship across sectors and technologies, enabling the country to effectively respond to major societal transitions, safeguard jobs and secure future prosperity. The organisation is supported by a Supervisory Board with broad international and governance expertise: Mayke Nagtegaal (chair, CEO TrueTribe and former COO Bird), Thomas Plantenga (CEO Vinted), Marijn Pijnenborg (co-founder Funda and investor) and Vinod Subramaniam (biophysicist and chair of the University of Amsterdam).
Media contact | Sara Baars | Sara@techleap.nl