Startups and Scale-ups in East Netherlands: The Driving Force of AI Innovation

Regional Startup Support Programs

In East Netherlands, there are various support programs, incubators, and vibrant hubs for startups and scale-ups. While most programs do not have a specific focus on AI, we are seeing an increase in startup proposals with data-driven and/or AI components.

Examples include:

• Briskr: Assists startups, scale-ups, and grownups from the Nijmegen-Arnhem region with their business ideas in the themes of ‘healthcare’ and ‘high-tech’.

• De Steck: A unique innovation center with a mix of startups, scale-ups, and established companies. It is a bustling hub for entrepreneurs, education, and government working on innovations within the circular economy and energy transition.

• Novel-T: Supports startups aiming for growth, spin-offs on the path to success, and SMEs looking to advance. They provide support, programs, and workshops and connect you with investors and top entrepreneurs. Novel-T is based at the University of Twente in Enschede, and the programs are accessible to all entrepreneurs.

• Gasfabriek: The Business Innovation Campus for established and starting companies, startups, and scale-ups. More than 75 companies form a vibrant and innovative collective. A large portion of these companies has a strong focus on innovation and scalable IT-Tech.

• Kennispoort Regio Zwolle: If you want to start your own business in the Zwolle region, Kennispoort can help with your business plan and the search for funding.

• Mercator Launch: This program helps (PhD) students, alumni, and researchers from Radboud University Nijmegen turn their business ideas into valuable products or solutions. Mercator Launch provides both programs and office space for startups.

• Startlife: Supports agri-food startups working on technological innovations that accelerate the transition to a sustainable food supply. Startlife is based at Wageningen University and offers programs for all agri-food startups.

• ZWINC: At this incubator, you get the space, support, and tools to turn your ambitious dream into the groundbreaking business of tomorrow. ZWINC is located in Zwolle and helps startups in the manufacturing industry and IT.

AI Startup Funding and Investors

Within the network of AI-hub East Netherlands, there are various funding opportunities and investors available for startups and scale-ups. Additionally, the AI-hub East Netherlands regularly organizes events where you can meet investors in an accessible way and ask your questions.

• Oost NL - Business Angels Network: The Business Angels network of Oost NL is the network of private financiers who are willing to invest in ambitious entrepreneurs. Read more

• TTT.AI: The TTT.AI consortium focuses on transferring knowledge from AI research and providing early-stage funding to startups emerging from knowledge institutions. Read more

• Startup Fonds Gelderland: Startup Fonds Gelderland (SFG) focuses on startups developing innovations that contribute to Gelderland’s ambitions and societal challenges. Read more

Other AI Investors/Funds:

• 4Impact
• CapitalT
• Connected Capital
• Curiosity VC
• Borski Fund
• Lumo Labs
• Newion VC
• VCC

Subsidies and (European) Projects

In addition to attracting funding, it is also possible to collaborate with other entrepreneurs and research institutions on regional, national, or European projects. For more information about these projects, visit the following page or contact us via the contact form.

European AI Startup Landscape

Since January 2022, the Dutch AI Coalition has been nominating a selection of the most promising Dutch AI startups for the European AI Startup Landscape, an initiative to map Europe’s AI startup ecosystem and build trust in the quality of these startups. A large number of promising northern AI startups have been included in the European AI Startup Landscape. Are you ready for this step?