Celebrating a decade of the Dutch Startup Visa

The Netherlands has long been shaped by a mentality of openness and inventiveness. This same problem-solving mindset and international outlook now fuels the country's thriving startup ecosystem, where entrepreneurs from around the world come together to tackle today's most pressing challenges.  

The Netherlands consistently ranks in the top four in Europe for startups and is in the global top ten. From semiconductors and quantum computing to medtech and renewable energy, the Netherlands is a central hub for European innovation. In fact, many notable Dutch startups have non-Dutch founders, bringing a wide variety of expertise, experience, and diverse points of view.  

Thanks to the Dutch Startup Visa, there may be many more innovative startups to come. As we celebrate ten years since its inception, it's clear that this programme has not only attracted international talent but has fundamentally strengthened the Dutch startup ecosystem. 

Launched in 2015, the Dutch Startup Visa was created with a clear mission: to foster international partnerships that tackle the world's most pressing challenges through innovation. The programme recognises that today's global challenges (from climate change to healthcare accessibility to sustainable development) require diverse perspectives and collaborative solutions that transcend borders. By bringing together international talent with Dutch expertise and resources, the programme creates an ecosystem where entrepreneurs can develop solutions that drive change, not just in the Netherlands, but worldwide. 

According to Prince Constantijn van Oranje, Special Envoy at Techleap, international startup founders are essential to the Dutch startup ecosystem. “They bring fresh perspectives, attract global talent, form bridges to their home markets, and much more.” 

“In fact, every successful tech ecosystem in the world depends on foreign entrepreneurs and talent,” he continued. “The best example is Silicon Valley, where most of the big tech companies are either founded or led by migrants: Elon Musk, Steve Jobs, Satya Nadella and many more.” 

What we hear from international founders is that the Netherlands offers a unique combination of advantages that are hard to find elsewhere. Dutch digital infrastructure is world-class, and there is a broad pool of tech talent that founders can tap into.  

But it's more than just the technical aspects. The Netherlands is cosmopolitan and internationally minded. You can travel freely throughout Europe, which is great for business development, and English is widely spoken in the business community, so language barriers are minimal. 

The Dutch have also built this strong ecosystem of incubators, accelerators, and support organisations. And then there's the government support: The Netherlands has various funding programmes specifically designed to help innovative companies get off the ground and scale.  

It's this combination of practical advantages, cultural openness, and systematic support that makes the Netherlands an attractive destination for international entrepreneurs. 

The programme has produced numerous success stories across various sectors. Companies like Synano in Delft, specialising in nanotechnology-based cooling solutions, SenTechAI, which measures mental health with AI, and 1NA who turns biophysics research into practical solutions for the pharmaceutical industry, all demonstrate the innovative potential that the Startup Visa has unleashed. 

Other notable examples include GreenSwapp AI, which helps supermarkets track product sustainability data, and Lalaland, which uses AI to create diverse virtual fashion models. These companies represent the kind of forward-thinking, technology-driven businesses that are helping to future-proof the Dutch economy and solve global challenges. 

The true value of the Startup Visa lies not just in the businesses it creates, but in the global impact and economic value these ventures generate. From companies developing sustainable technologies and accessible healthcare solutions to platforms promoting diversity and inclusion, international founders are using the Netherlands as a springboard to address challenges that extend far beyond our borders. 

As the programme enters its next decade, the focus remains on fostering collaboration between international talent and Dutch expertise; creating an ecosystem where innovative solutions can flourish and scale globally. Through these partnerships, the Netherlands continues to serve as a launchpad for entrepreneurs who are committed to building a better, more sustainable future for all. 

For more success stories and insights from the entrepreneurs who have benefited from the Dutch Startup Visa programme, visit Welcome to NL where you can read additional founder stories.