The Dutch government has declared a new initiative to bolster the nation’s startup and scale-up ecosystems under the banner “Building the Tech Champions of Tomorrow.” This move comes amid concerns about the Netherlands’ declining position in the global economic competitiveness rankings. The government aims to propel the country’s focus towards nurturing critical deep tech and knowledge-intensive startups, placing emphasis on acquiring talent and scaling operations to fuel growth.
Historically, the Dutch government has pursued different action plans to sustain economic growth through innovation and entrepreneurship. In previous years, support programs like Techleap.nl have been pivotal in establishing a robust startup ecosystem. The continuation of such efforts highlights the commitment to keeping pace with global tech leaders while adapting to evolving industry demands.
Why Did the Netherlands’ Ranking Fall?
The Netherlands recently dropped from 4th place in 2022 to 10th place in 2025 on the global competitiveness index. The government acknowledged that this decline points to the urgent need for nurturing innovative firms domestically to ensure continued prosperity. The current economic strategy emphasizes maintaining and growing companies that significantly contribute to the national economy and societal well-being.
How Will Techleap.nl Be Supported?
Part of the strategic plan includes extending the Techleap.nl program to at least 2029, highlighting sustained support for startups and scale-ups. A financial allocation of €14.8M was announced to facilitate this extension. Techleap.nl has been instrumental in cultivating a community of entrepreneurs through its comprehensive ecosystem programs, enhancing the capacity of tech companies within the country.
Aside from this, the introduction of the €200M European Tech Champions Initiative further underscores the government’s commitment to providing capital to ambitious tech companies. This fund, managed by the European Investment Fund, seeks to attract additional investments, thereby advancing late-stage growth capital accessibility within the European tech landscape. Simultaneously, a national investment institution is in the pipeline, alongside tax incentives for shareholders, aiming to make the Netherlands a more attractive destination for startups.
Moreover, the government’s action plan envisions promoting internationalization through initiatives like ScaleNL in the United States. This includes an increased focus on international startup missions and events designed to expand Dutch companies’ global reach. Additionally, a new tax scheme is proposed to attract and retain global talent starting January 1, 2027. The same vision extends to supporting spin-offs and pondering the establishment of a National Agency for Disruptive Innovation to facilitate sustained entrepreneurial growth.
The Dutch government’s strategy aims to develop at least ten new technology and market leaders over the next decade. Companies such as ASML and Adyen exemplify the potential for world-leading business success within the Netherlands. Minister Karremans quoted,
“ASML and Adyen prove that world-leading companies can emerge here. But that success is not guaranteed. If we want to safeguard our prosperity and future earning power, we must invest now in building the tech champions of tomorrow.”
The innovation-focused agenda is clear: to enhance economic competitiveness, the Netherlands is prioritizing the nurturing of tech companies that can provide sustainable economic solutions. The government emphasizes the role of startups and scale-ups as crucial engines of future growth and prosperity.
