The Dutch East India Company ( Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie or VOC in old Dutch ) , started in 1602 , when the Netherlands gave it a 21-year monopoly to trade in Asia . The Dutch East India Company ( or VOC in Dutch , literally `` United East Indian Company '' ) was a chartered company established in 1602 , when the States-General of the Netherlands granted it a 21-year monopoly to carry out colonial activities in Asia .