Schoof: 'Declining number of start-ups is worrying'
Prime Minister Dick Schoof finds the sharp decline in the number of new startups "shocking".
Published on February 12, 2025
Dick Schoof. Image: Rebekka Mell
As editor-in-chief, Aafke oversees all content and events but loves writing herself. She makes complex topics accessible and tells the stories behind technology.
A sharp decrease in the number of new startups raising €100,000 or more in the Netherlands in 2024 is what Prime Minister Dick Schoof finds to be the “most shocking” news from Techleap's report on the state of the Dutch tech ecosystem. “We cannot stay ahead of the pack if this does not change. It is essential that we fully commit to key technologies. We must do everything we can to keep the Netherlands at the top." He made this known at the annual The State of Dutch Tech event in The Hague.
Bob Rietveld, head of data at Techleap, agrees. ”The story of the Dutch tech ecosystem this year is about two challenges. First of all, the number of new startups has dried up enormously. In 2024, 35% fewer startups were founded that raised at least €100,000 than in 2023. This means a weakening of our ecosystem. If we want to double the number of unicorns, the number of startups must double as well.
Foreign investors are taking over Dutch startups
The second story is about investments, which totaled €3.1 billion last year. When we look at how that pie is divided, two things stand out. One: the number of start-ups raising early-stage investments fell by 23%. Two: 15% of the total number of investments was raised by domestic investors. In 2023, that was still 61%. Rietveld: “That means that the vast majority of promising Dutch start-ups are financed by foreign investors.”
Rigid regulations, an inflexible labor market and a shortage of well-trained technical talent hinder the growth of startups. The Netherlands has some of the strictest regulations in Europe for employee stock options, making startups less attractive to talent. This is an obstacle for fast-growing technology companies, which are highly dependent on attracting talent.
A more positive story for deep tech
Rietveld has a more positive story for deep tech companies. Relatively speaking, they are more successful at scaling up (35%) – three years ago that percentage was only 15%. “That is the result of a coordinated effort by the ecosystem. When we are all on the same page, we get results.”
Techleaps's permanent face Constantijn van Oranje moderates a panel on strengthening critical technologies. “In the Netherlands, we are good at quantum. But what does it take to be able to measure up to companies like Oracle and Google? In France, quantum startup Alice & Bob recently raised €100 million. Why haven't Dutch companies been able to do that yet?”
Minister of Economic Affairs Dirk Beljaarts: “The Netherlands, and Europe as well, must step up its game. We are lagging behind, even though we have everything we need to take a leading position. The Dutch government must further strengthen the ecosystem that has already been built up. It is crucial to support the ambition of tech leaders who invest in the Netherlands and to ensure that they stay here. Entrepreneurs play an essential role in society, and their contribution should be valued and facilitated.”
France, according to the French minister for AI and Digital Technology Clara Chappaz - present in the form of a hologram - has made a clear choice. The country has selected quantum technology as one of its strategic sectors and is fully committed to public-private partnerships. With a national strategy and an investment of €1.8 billion, France is accelerating the development of this sector.
€200 billion for Europe in AI
This also applies to AI in the case of France. Although there are relatively many AI companies in the Netherlands (911) compared to France (1293) and Switzerland (391), in terms of investments, the Netherlands remains stuck at €34 million, far behind France (€80 million) and Switzerland (€60 million).
The AI Summit took place in Paris over the past few days, and both Chappaz and Beljaarts were in attendance. The EU announced that it would invest €200 billion in artificial intelligence. Chappaz emphasizes that she has seen a lack of optimism in Europe in recent months. “It is crucial to maintain a positive mindset. We must persevere and avoid falling into the trap of believing that something is not possible. Because it is.”
What SMEs can learn from innovative startups
In a series of blog posts, Marco Coolen gives an insight into his work as a Dutch and European patent attorney at AOMB.