Why West Holland is the Hotspot for Startups Turn the page and explore!
Š InnovationQuarter / IQ092016/ENG
10 Reasons
10 Reasons why West Holland is the Hotspot for Startups Imagine an entire country working together to create an environment where entrepreneurs stand up, start up and scale up. The Netherlands is an open, advanced economy, located in the center of Europe, with a long history of creativity and innovation. The Dutch startup ecosystem is thriving. Countless incubators, accelerator programs and corporates with startup programs facilitate startups in the process of scaling up. West Holland is home to three Top 100 universities and is located near the Port of Rotterdam, Rotterdam The Hague Airport and Schiphol Airport, making it the ideal landing place for international startups. We present 10 reasons to invest and innovate in West Holland.
EXCELLENT STARTUP ECOSYSTEM 1
INNOVATION HUBS 6
Noordwijk 5
1. YES!Delft: Largest European tech incubator, ranked #4 in Europe 2. Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC Rotterdam):
The Hague
CIC companies have raised $2,1 billion in the US 3. HSD Campus: #1 security cluster in Europe
3
Delft
4. Erasmus Center for Entrepreneurship (ECE):
1
7
Leiden Zoetermeer
2,4 Rotterdam
Campus at the heart of the Rotterdam Innovation District 5. BioPartner Center Leiden: Lab facilities and cleanrooms 6. ESA BIC: Largest space incubator in Europe 7. Crosspring: Based in the Dutch Innovation Factory
20 miles
2
UNIQUE ACCELERATOR PROGRAMS Programs for companies in all phases and different industries:
3
During this program you focus on super fast & sustainable growth
Acceleration programs for impact-driven startups with solutions for societal challenges
ECE ‘Get Started’ program
Crosspring
PortXL The only startup accelerator that focuses on maritime/port related industries
YES!Delft Incubation Program
World Startup Factory
ESA Business Incubation Centre Program dedicated to space technology, includes technical and business support
10-week program created specifically to empower entrepreneurs
Focus on startups active in software, mobile applications, Internet of Things and games
ACCESS TO CAPITAL • InnovationQuarter Capital - investment fund for startup and scale-ups (€ 80 million) • UNIIQ - proof-of-concept fund for early stage funding (€ 22 million)
“We have a good overview of the Dutch investor landscape. Check out a detailed overview at: #NLTechVCMap”
TALENT & KNOWLEDGE 4
ACCESS TO TALENT 3 Top 100 Research Universities: • Delft University of Technology • Erasmus University Rotterdam • Leiden University
5 Universities of Applied Sciences
Total number of students in West Holland: 88,000 Universities of Applied Sciences 65,000 Research Universities 3,000 PhD’s
5
KNOWLEDGE & RESEARCH 3 Research Universities
“World leading in Maritime, Horticulture, Aeronautics & Space, Life Sciences & Health, Sustainable Energy and Water Technology”
3 Universities 2 University medical centers TNO: Organization for Applied
5
Scientific Research (3,000 professionals)
Clusters
Joint Programs
Living Labs
#5 on the Global Innovation Index 2015
ESA / ESTEC: Largest space research facility (2,700 professionals) Deltares: Applied Research in Delta
and Water Technology (800 professionals)
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES 6
DUTCH COMPANIES COOPERATING WITH STARTUPS Corporate accelerator programs, Venture Capital, startup desk, potential launching customers. Examples:
7
KPN New Business & KPN Ventures
Unilever venture capital
Shell & DSM - Energy Fest
Deloitte - The Garden
Co-creation on new services, distribution agreements, pilots or launching customer and financial investments
Providing access to Unilever’s global ecosystem and expertise
Event aimed at tackling the transition towards a world with more energy and less CO2
Sessions connecting startups
EXCELLENT MARKET FOR TESTING
and scale-ups to corporates, government, universities and VC’s
Over 90% of the population speak English
• Historically, the Netherlands is a testbed for innovation
8
• The Dutch are early adopters and internet savvy
• #1 DHL Global Connectivity Index
• Fastest internet in Europe (#1 Internet Exchange)
• Dutch eCommerce revenue of € 18 billion (2016)
SUCCESS STORIES Ampelmann: A platform with hydraulic
MIMETAS: Develops predictive Organ-
Eternal Sun: Specializes in solar
cylinders which makes transfer to and
on-a-Chip cell culture models for better,
testing technology, by supplying clever,
from offshore structures easy, safe and
more reliable and tailored medicines.
innovative, and practical large area
highly cost efficient. 2008 TU Delft
Spin out from Leiden University. Now
solar simulators. Although founded
spin-off, now has 8 offices worldwide
working with 9 out of 10 largest pharma
in 2011, they acquired their largest US
and 400 staff.
companies in the world.
competitor in 2016.
OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS 9
IMMIGRATION & TAX • Startup visa & work permits • Competitive tax climate • 30% tax free allowance on gross salaries
“One of the most welcoming immigration procedures for entrepreneurs”
10 QUALITY OF LIFE
#5 Happiest people on earth
Large expat community, 500,000+ international inhabitants 75,000 registered expats
World class education, many international schools
International environment & politically stable
West Holland, the Hotspot for Startups Gateway to Europe Is your startup looking to expand in Europe? The Netherlands has Europe’s largest startup ecosystem, the #1 port in Europe and a competitive fiscal climate. The thriving entrepreneurial climate makes the Netherlands the ideal place to start your business.
Copenhagen
Many startup hotspots are located in West Holland, a region with easy access to the Port of Rotterdam, Rotterdam The Hague Airport and Schiphol Airport. Join our creative and innovative community and enjoy our exceptional quality of life.
Stockholm
Leeuwarden
Groningen
London Berlin
Dublin
Amsterdam Noordwijk
West Holland
Leiden The Hague
Zoetermeer Delft Rotterdam
Enschede Utrecht Wageningen Nijmegen
Eindhoven
Barcelona
Paris
Brussels
Munich Maastricht
InnovationQuarter is the Economic Development
WEST HOLLAND OFFERS YOU
Agency for the West Holland region in the
• A strategic location in the heart of Europe
Netherlands. We provide free assistance and advice
• Highly educated and multilingual workforce
to international companies looking to locate in West
• Excellent quality of life
Holland. In addition, we facilitate co-operation between companies, academic institutions and government. Moreover, InnovationQuarter funds innovative and fast-growing businesses in the region.
• Superior logistics infrastructure • A competitive tax climate • Advantageous tax incentives for R&D activities • A dedicated foreign investment team, offering confidential, free of charge services to international companies.
InnovationQuarter WTC The Hague Prinses Margrietplantsoen 32
+31 (0)88 - 4747 255
2595 BR The Hague
info@innovationquarter.eu
The Netherlands
www.innovationquarter.eu