The 2023 Atomico’s State of European Tech Report highlighted the Netherlands as a standout success, solidifying its position as a key player in the startup ecosystem. The country has seen a significant increase in capital invested in its private tech companies, placing it back in the top five countries with a projected $2.1 billion. Unlike the UK, which has experienced a drop in European capital investment, the Netherlands has seen the biggest gains in Europe, with an increase of almost 2 percent. Amsterdam serves as the hub of the Netherlands’ startup ecosystem, boasting around 4,000 startups, including unicorns like Mollie, Mambu, and Backbase. With its international focus, collaborative environment, and diverse workforce, Amsterdam is dedicated to addressing pressing societal issues.
In Amsterdam, successful innovation is driven by global challenges such as the energy transition and aging population. StartupAmsterdam, led by Joël Dori, works to bring together the public and private sectors to support startups, scale-ups, entrepreneurs, and other players in the local ecosystem. However, challenges such as a tight housing market and concerns about startup-related policies must be addressed to attract and retain high-caliber talent in the city.
Overstory, founded by Indra den Bakker and Anniek Schouten in 2018, uses computer vision technology to identify trees and estimate their characteristics to help electric utility companies prioritize tree-pruning efforts and prevent power outages. The company has raised $25 million in funding and has already made significant impacts in the industry.
Coolgradient, founded by Jasper de Vries and René Gompel in 2023, aims to reduce global energy consumption by cooling data centers more efficiently. Their machine learning models analyze data from data center assets to identify inefficiencies and offer solutions for optimization, potentially saving up to 40 percent in utilities usage.
Monumental, launched by Salar al Khafaji and Sebastiaan Visser in 2021, addresses the shortage of bricklayers in Europe and the need for affordable housing by using small autonomous ground vehicles for construction projects. The company has raised $25 million in funding and has already completed multiple projects in the Netherlands.
Weaviate, founded by Bob van Luijt and Etienne Dilocker in 2019, is an open-source database that simplifies the creation and expansion of AI applications by managing vector data. The company has received significant funding and has a strong presence in the developer community.
Cradle, founded by Elise de Reus and Stef van Grieken in 2021, uses AI technology to optimize protein sequences for biologists, reducing time and resources needed for experimentation. The company has raised $34 million in funding and has already made significant advancements in protein design.
Carbon Equity, founded by Lara Koole, Jeff Gomez, Liza Rubinstein, and Jacqueline van den Ende in 2021, connects investors with leading climate venture capital and growth equity funds to support climate technology solutions. The company has raised €9 million in funding and has helped scale over 120 nonlisted climate tech companies.
Bloom & Wolf, founded by Gwen Van de Pas in 2023, offers a sustainable alternative to the cut flower industry with premium silk flowers that are refurbished and reused. The company has gained traction in the premium office and hotel industry and has received a €1.4 million seed round.
Solvimon, launched in 2022 by Kim Verkooijen and Etienne Gerts, provides an all-in-one billing and monetization platform for fintech and SaaS businesses. The startup raised €9 million in funding and aims to streamline revenue operations for its clients.
Overall, these startups in the Netherlands are making significant strides in innovation and addressing key challenges in various industries, contributing to the country’s success in the European tech ecosystem.