What is the Accelerate in the Netherlands program?
Accelerate in the Netherlands is a targeted matchmaking program connecting international startups and scale-ups with the Dutch innovation ecosystem to fast-track business opportunities. Each program edition focuses on a specific sector or technology theme—from e.g. Alternative Proteins to Medtech—bringing you together with relevant corporates, research institutes, pilot sites, and investors. The program consists of an online matchmaking event followed by a live follow-up program in the Netherlands, where you'll meet your matches in person. Through these curated connections, we help you access the right partners, R&D facilities, and testing environments to validate opportunities, launch pilots, and accelerate your growth in the Dutch and European market.
What is the Accelerate in the Netherlands program?
Accelerate in the Netherlands is a targeted matchmaking program connecting international startups and scale-ups with the Dutch innovation ecosystem to fast-track business opportunities. Each program edition focuses on a specific sector or technology theme—from e.g. Alternative Proteins to Medtech—bringing you together with relevant corporates, research institutes, pilot sites, and investors. The program consists of an online matchmaking event followed by a live follow-up program in the Netherlands, where you'll meet your matches in person. Through these curated connections, we help you access the right partners, R&D facilities, and testing environments to validate opportunities, launch pilots, and accelerate your growth in the Dutch and European market.
Who are we?
Invest in Holland is the national foreign direct investment promotion network that supports international companies to connect, locate, innovate and grow in the Netherlands. Comprised of the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) and regional economic development agencies, several Dutch cities and the Holland International Distribution Council, the network provides expertise, guidance and access to ecosystems, resources and strategic partners and stakeholders.
Invest in Holland is the coordinating organization behind the Accelerate in the Netherlands program, supporting international startups and scale-ups to seamlessly connect with the relevant Dutch innovation cluster.
Who are we?
Invest in Holland is the national foreign direct investment promotion network that supports international companies to connect, locate, innovate and grow in the Netherlands. Comprised of the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) and regional economic development agencies, several Dutch cities and the Holland International Distribution Council, the network provides expertise, guidance and access to ecosystems, resources and strategic partners and stakeholders.
Invest in Holland is the coordinating organization behind the Accelerate in the Netherlands program, supporting international startups and scale-ups to seamlessly connect with the relevant Dutch innovation cluster.
What you get:
- Pre-qualified matches to companies and organizations based on your technology and specific business needs
- Access to sector-specific networks, from R&D facilities and testing environments to potential customers and co-development partners
- A focused live program in the Netherlands with back-to-back meetings, site visits, and networking
- Follow-up support to turn connections into concrete collaborations
What you get:
- Pre-qualified matches to companies and organizations based on your technology and specific business needs
- Access to sector-specific networks, from R&D facilities and testing environments to potential customers and co-development partners
- A focused live program in the Netherlands with back-to-back meetings, site visits, and networking
- Follow-up support to turn connections into concrete collaborations
Who are we looking for?
We welcome ambitious international startups and scale-ups that:
- Offer an innovative, validated product or technology
- Contribute to our societal challenges by enabling smarter, more efficient or more sustainable solutions
- Are ready to explore collaboration, pilots or expansion opportunities in the Netherlands
- Seek partnerships with Dutch corporates, research institutes, clusters or testing facilities
- Have clear growth ambitions for the European market
- Fit within one of the strategic innovation domains of the Dutch ecosystem
Who are we looking for?
We welcome ambitious international startups and scale-ups that:
- Offer an innovative, validated product or technology
- Contribute to our societal challenges by enabling smarter, more efficient or more sustainable solutions
- Are ready to explore collaboration, pilots or expansion opportunities in the Netherlands
- Seek partnerships with Dutch corporates, research institutes, clusters or testing facilities
- Have clear growth ambitions for the European market
- Fit within one of the strategic innovation domains of the Dutch ecosystem
The program
Accelerate in the Netherlands connects international startups and scale-ups with the Dutch innovation ecosystem to fast-track business and innovation opportunities. Through a structured, three-phase program we match you with relevant partners, R&D facilities, and potential investors based on your specific technology and growth ambitions. This program is organized by the Invest in Holland network, the national foreign direct investment network of the Netherlands.
(Online) Matchmaking events
Meet the key Dutch players in your industry
Live follow-up meetings
Get invited to individual meetings with potential leads and partners
Individual support program
Receive tailored, high-level support and expert guidance