“The variety of work that you can find here is just massive. Cultural boundaries really expand to infinity.”
Amsterdam
Cristina Carstea, Optiver
“Amsterdam has always been home to liberalism, enterprise, tolerance and diversity.”
Femke Halsema, Mayor of Amsterdam
“The sense of community is really incredible. The systems and the processes in place make living easy.”
Bronwyn Wainwright, Effectory
Ecosystem Highlights
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3868 startups & scaleups
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1660 tech companies
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78K jobs at tech companies
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858 corporates
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1249 investors
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37 universities
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20 homegrown unicorns
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+50 coworking spaces
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+41 accelerators and incubators
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+20 startup & coding academies
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+250 data science courses and 200 AI researchers
Throughout the entire city of Amsterdam, one is dazzled with the charm and uniqueness of restaurants, cafes, museums and every other attraction. But the city’s business ecosystem is also a true magnet for social impact and innovation.
In fact, from an entrepreneurship and tech point of view, Amsterdam is a center point and a test bed; a launchpad and a talent pool. Today’s growing ecosystem of startups, incubators, investors, corporates and universities embodies the resilience and pioneering nature the city is known for. Amsterdam is where business meets purpose. Whether you’re an international business founder who’s interested in making the move to the Dutch capital or a local entrepreneur, a good overview of the startup ecosystem can only benefit your endeavors. The Amsterdam Startup Map, powered by StartupAmsterdam in partnership with Dealroom, is your go-to source of information overview of all the important players in the Startup ecosystem of Amsterdam.
Noteworthy Content:
CONTACT
Land & Start
SETTLING IN THE CITY
If you want to move to Amsterdam or if you’re newly arrived, you may be wondering about the residence procedures. You can find all the information you need right here. Make the most of living as an amsterdamer!
In the Netherlands, some taxes apply to everyone, from the income tax to the road or parking taxes, for example. Know the various types here.
Of course, you aren’t required to be covered by any type of insurance, but some can be recommended. There are also some insurance schemes that you can benefit from as a migrant. If you’re stepping in the city to study, you can also find all the advice you need.
STARTING YOUR BUSINESS
Connecting with the right people in the ecosystem is one great way to help you kick-start your company. The Guide to Amsterdam’s startup ecosystem will help you.
Amsterdam’s got you covered with all your business needs to grow. Accelerators and incubators are a great source of help.
To easily and better plug yourself into Amsterdam’s tech scene, several partners and organizations can support you. Find them here:
All your answers to questions about doing business in the Netherlands can be found here. You will have to register your company in the business register of the Dutch Chamber of Commerce. Your registration will automatically go to the Tax and Customs Administration. A single fee of €50 (2016) is needed for entry. To make it even easier, this checklist will help a lot. Information about legal forms is available here.
Invoices in the Netherlands need to meet certain requirements. Check the Tax and Customs Administration website for an extensive overview.
There are some useful sources that you can probe to help you expand your contacts and knowledge about our ecosystems. Here’s a list that will certainly help:
Wondering where you can set up your startup? You won’t lack options – and they’re all perfect. Explore the region here to know more.
Access to capital
| Advice about Capital | Major VC’s in the country |
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Access to talent
Get tips on how to find skilled students, geeks, marketers and engineers for your startup team and discover where to hire.
Since 2019, more than 600 startups have joined Amsterdam’s tech scene. You can get to know them on the following Dealroom’s list.
Get to know the hottest markets in the ecosystem. They’re listed below.
Education
In what comes to education, Amsterdam counts with a long tradition of excellence. On this list, you can find a big number of universities and colleges, as well as many different courses in a wide range of areas.
Tech Ecosystem
Fresh Tech
Since 2019, more than 600 startups have joined Amsterdam’s tech scene. You can get to know them on the following Dealrooms list.
Hot startups & scaleups
New companies
Markets
Get to know the hottest markets in the ecosystem. They’re listed below.
Diversity and Inclusion
Amsterdam’s startup scene is becoming more diverse, with different communities mainly bringing the gender gap down. Discover these inclusivity-focused tech communities and reach the ones that can best support your business and your goals (the Equals and TOMAS programs also deserve a check, by showcasing and celebrating inclusion and diversity in the workforce).
Amsterdam in the Media
Stay up to date with the biggest news concerning Amsterdam’s tech and startup ecosystem with these following sources:
- Startup Amsterdam News
- Find more recent news of Amsterdam on Silicon Canals
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE CITY
Amsterdam has it all: a long and rich cultural heritage and history, diversity, inclusion and a great quality of life. In this cultural capital, with world-class museums or theatres, you find a world of wonders, opportunities and a happy work/life balance. Read here why you will enjoy the city so much
City Map
ACTIVITIES & CASE STUDIES
Note it down: Amsterdam is “the place to be” for tech startups. Proof of this is Project: A. It’s the program that facilitates the biggest tech talents, while also – and more importantly – showing the collaborative nature of the ecosystem. But there’s more. Another great example of the city’s potential is in the Capital Week – five days dedicated to “creating as much interaction between startups and investors”. All in all, Amsterdam is the ground where businesses have all the seeds to grow and thrive. And, more than that, it’s the perfect place for you to enjoy life.
This City's Cases
The Corporate Network initiative aims to actively engage corporates with the startup and tech ecosystem of Amsterdam. What was/is the challenge? In 2015 the Amsterdam startup…
arrow_forwardCorporate network
To keep track of Amsterdam ecosystem’s main developments (events, news, opportunities for stakeholders, success stories) and communicate them via StartupAmsterdam’s online and offline channels. Marketing&Communications is…
arrow_forwardStartupCity Branding
Solving the problem of the tech talent shortage in the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem through the re-education of young unemployed graduates by giving them up-to-date tech specialisations (e.g.…
arrow_forwardEducate for Talent, Re-educate talent
Attracting Investors from all around the world to your Ecosystem by organising a week dedicated to creating as much interaction between startups and investors. What was/is…
arrow_forwardAvailability of growth capital, Availability of seed capital
Creating the Amsterdam Startup Map was one of StartupAmsterdam’s first and most important objectives. The map has proven to be essential not only for us, as…
arrow_forwardLink ecosystem to the outside world
The Startup in Residence Program allows the municipality to serve as a launching customer to startups by providing the opportunity to solve ..
arrow_forwardGovernment as a launching customer
Bringing coding lessons into the school curriculum and making sure that schools know the importance of these skills. What was/is the challenge? We live in a…
arrow_forwardEducate for Talent
Facilitating the most prominent scale-ups in the ecosystem with the attraction of highly skilled tech talent, by promoting Amsterdam as “the place to be” for tech…
arrow_forwardAttract (foreign) talent, Connect talent with the industry