One of the main pillars in growing your startup has to do with the network you build. Entrepreneurs tend to help each other out, so joining a community is one to way to go. Other founders meet and connect at events or find strong mentorships. What is your next step?
Want to connect to the government? Get in contact with our Government Startup Officers. This network consists of commissionaires representing the Dutch governmental departments and municipalities. Speaking of municipalities, did you know a lot of them host Startup in Residence programs where startups can collaborate with governments?
More interested in a corporate network? Then the Corporate Startup Officers can offer you your first touchpoint. If you’re not sure about collaborating with a corporate, the Startup Readiness tool can help you.
By the way, many governments and corporates set out startup challenges to help them solve problems. Via Starthubs [in Dutch] you can find all challenges and paid contracts. TenderNed is also a good source if you are searching projects. And the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) helps out with matchmaking at international trade shows, so check it out!
In need of a mentor abroad? The Mentoring Network is a community of mostly Dutch tech entrepreneurs and professionals based in some of the major global tech hubs. You can also apply for a coaching voucher provided by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO).
Most entrepreneurs and startup founders connect through different sources. From online slack communities to Facebook groups. Or join specific meetups where techies meet and connect.
To get an overview of what is out there, events are the perfect place to start your startup journey, reconnect with other founders and to connect with potential investors. Go the event page and check out your next event!
The Netherlands together form One Single Hub helping all sorts of startups grow. Within the ecosystem, we work together with the different Innovation hubs.
Initiate your international expansion with this one-stop-shop of information for Dutch innovators looking to enter the foreign market. Explore the unique opportunity to connect with resource networks in the innovation hubs, Europe, and Asia Pacific and expedite your expansion with support from Dutch posts in innovation hubs around the world.
Access the extensive startup, corporate and government networks of the best facilitators in the Netherlands.