“The variety of work that you can find here is just massive. Cultural boundaries really expand to infinity.”
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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2932 startups
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215 scaleups
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1660 tech companies
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2718 startup jobs
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586 corporates
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+860 investors
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37 universities
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12 homegrown unicorns
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+50 coworking spaces
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+30 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. The hidden treasures in the city’s different neighborhoods are many. Discover them on foot or with the thousands of bicycles spread on the street’s sidewalks and enjoy this major center of history, culture and richness.
From an entrepreneurship and tech point of view, Amsterdam is also 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. Here’s how you connect to Amsterdam’s startup community. Our startup map is a topographical overview of all the important players in the Startup ecosystem of Amsterdam.
Noteworthy Content:
CONTACT
Land & Start
SETTLING IN THE CITY
Residence Requirements
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!
Taxes
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.
Insurance
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. For students, it’s important to know that health insurance is mandatory.
STARTING YOUR BUSINESS
Who you need to talk to
Connecting with the right people in the ecosystem is one great way to help you kick-start your company. Check out this list of major players in Amsterdam’s tech scene and feel free to approach them.
Hubs, incubators and accelerators
Amsterdam’s got you covered with all your business needs to grow. Accelerators and incubators are a great source of help, so are the city’s Hubs, that facilitate your access to an office space, mentorship and much more.
Supporting partners
To easily and better plug yourself into Amsterdam’s tech scene, several partners and organizations can support you. Find them here:
Business Registration
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.
Accounting
Invoices in the Netherlands need to meet certain requirements. Check the Tax and Customs Administration website for an extensive overview.
Useful contacts and links
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:
Business Location
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
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 wants to bring down the gender gap. Thus, there are many initiatives and programmes that raise awareness for the Women in Tech. But there is much more when it comes to diversity in the city. In fact, Amsterdam is inclusive on every level, with its anti-discriminatory measures or the support of LGBTI rights, for instance. For startups and scale-ups, the mission is the same: to make the future of tech (even) more inclusive and diverse.
Amsterdam in the Media
Virtuagym helps fitness providers during the lockdown
Due to the lockdown, gyms and other fitness centers are ‘out of action’. But Amsterdam-based Virtuagym is helping gym and studio operators to generate revenue.
Protolabs acquires Amsterdam-based 3D Hubs
Protolabs, a global technology-enabled company, acquired Amsterdam-based 3D Hubs – an online manufacturing platform – for $280M.Know everything here
Amsterdam ranked as a top-10 scaleup city
The European ScaleUp Monitor 2020 report ranks Amsterdam as a top-10 scale-up city and offers tips to help companies achieve speedy growth.
Lepaya announces expansion to Sweden
One year after acquiring Smartenup, soft-skill scaleup Lepaya, from Amsterdam, announced that it’s entering Sweden. Check out why.
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. Daniel Rigberg, from Dimebox, for instance, says it all – “Amsterdam is the place where you finish work and bike home 20 minutes to feel the fresh air. You have enough time to get to work and enough time to get home and still do the things that you value”.