Startup statistics 2026

The Dutch tech ecosystem counts 11,301 active tech companies, which together raised €2.64 billion in venture capital in 2025 (State of Dutch Tech 2026 (TNO)). North Holland alone is home to 3,473 tech companies (State of Dutch Tech 2026 via IO+).

Business registrations

On 1 January 2026 the Dutch Business Register (KVK) listed 2,599,668 business establishments, up from 2,579,735 a year earlier: growth of 1%, the lowest in years. The number of starters fell by 10% in 2025 and the number of businesses that stopped rose by 18% (KVK Business Dynamics 2025).

That continues a turn that started in 2024. On 1 January 2025 KVK counted 2,581,399 establishments (+3%), but the number of starters fell for the first time since 2014: by 8%, to 253,823. Starters born in the Netherlands dropped by 12%, starters born abroad by 3% (KVK Business Dynamics 2024).

Freelancers (zzp) are where the change shows most. Their number still grew from 1,710,161 to 1,772,367 in 2024 (+4%) (KVK Business Dynamics 2024), but in 2025 the number of freelancers who stopped rose by 19% and the number who started fell by 13% (KVK Business Dynamics 2025).

Bankruptcies went the other way. CBS counted 3,636 bankruptcies in 2025, 15% fewer than the 4,270 of 2024 (CBS, January 2026). Startups that use AI for marketing and growth get more out of a small team, which is why early-stage teams increasingly lean on a growth marketing agency to compress time-to-traction.

Key statistics: number of startups

• 11,301 active tech companies in the Dutch ecosystem (State of Dutch Tech 2026 (TNO))
• 3,473 tech companies in North Holland (State of Dutch Tech 2026 via IO+)
• 2,599,668 business establishments on 1 January 2026, +1% (KVK Business Dynamics 2025)
• Starters -10% and stoppers +18% in 2025 (KVK Business Dynamics 2025)
• Freelancers: starters -13%, stoppers +19% in 2025 (KVK Business Dynamics 2025)
• 253,823 starters in 2024, -8%: the first decline since 2014 (KVK Business Dynamics 2024)
• Starters born in the Netherlands: -12% in 2024 (KVK Business Dynamics 2024)
• 1,772,367 freelancers on 1 January 2025, +4% (KVK Business Dynamics 2024)
• 3,636 bankruptcies in 2025, -15% vs. 2024 (CBS, January 2026)

Sources: State of Dutch Tech 2026 (TNO), KVK Business Dynamics 2025, KVK Business Dynamics 2024, CBS, January 2026

Dutch tech companies raised €2.64 billion in venture capital in 2025, 11.5% more than in 2024, while the number of deals fell by 14.5% (State of Dutch Tech 2026 (TNO)). The Quarterly Startup Report, which counts somewhat differently, arrives at €2.5 billion (+5.7%) (KPMG, January 2026).

The fourth quarter was the strongest of 2025 at about €854 million, against €416 million in Q4 2024. The largest round of the year was Picnic (€430 million) (KPMG, January 2026). The ten largest rounds made up nearly 50% of the total (Dutch Startup Association via IO+, 2026).

Investments by quarter (2025)

Sources: Quarterly Startup Report Q1 2025 via Silicon Canals, Quarterly Startup Report Q2 2025 via Silicon Canals, Quarterly Startup Report Q3 2025 via Silicon Canals, KPMG, January 2026, Dutch Startup Association via IO+, 2026

Shifting investor landscape

In breakout rounds of €50-100 million, participation by US investors tripled from 14% to 40%, while European participation fell from 55% to 21%. Rounds under €15 million are occurring less frequently (State of Dutch Tech 2026 (TNO)). Dutch scaleups gain access to deeper capital markets, but become more dependent on the cycles of American venture capital.

2026 started strongly: in Q1 almost €1 billion was invested in Dutch startups, 166% more than in Q1 2025 and 34% more than the previous quarter. Series B rounds and larger (€15 million+) took about 85% of the capital; seed rounds were about 39% of all deals but only 3.6% of the amount (KPMG, April 2026).

Key statistics: venture capital

• €2.64 billion raised in 2025, +11.5% vs. 2024 (State of Dutch Tech 2026 (TNO))
• Number of deals: -14.5%, 265 deals (State of Dutch Tech 2026 via IO+)
• €854 million in Q4 2025, the strongest quarter of the year (KPMG, January 2026)
• Series B rounds grew to €1.80 billion in 2025 (Dutch Startup Association via IO+, 2026)
• US participation in €50-100M rounds: 14% to 40% (State of Dutch Tech 2026 (TNO))
• European participation in those rounds: 55% to 21% (State of Dutch Tech 2026 (TNO))
• Rounds under €15 million are becoming less common (State of Dutch Tech 2026 (TNO))
• Q1 2026: almost €1 billion, +166% year-over-year (KPMG, April 2026)
• 4 rounds above €100 million in Q1 2026 (KPMG, April 2026)
• Netherlands: 4.9% of European VC in 2026, up from 3.2% in 2016 (Dealroom, October 2026)

Sources: State of Dutch Tech 2026 (TNO), KPMG, January 2026, KPMG, April 2026, Dutch Startup Association via IO+, 2026, Dealroom, October 2026

Of the 249,700 people who started as self-employed in the Netherlands in 2018, 59.8% were still self-employed after two years and 53.5% after five years. Of the 2022 cohort (336,300 starters), 72.3% were still self-employed a year later (CBS StatLine 85154NED, 2025; percentages calculated from the table). Not being self-employed anymore does not always mean failure: some starters move into paid employment.

For venture-backed startups the picture is sharper. CB Insights analysed 431 VC-backed companies that shut down since 2023: the median time from the last funding round to shutdown was 22 months (CB Insights, 2026).

Why startups fail: the top reasons

Source: CB Insights, 2026 (431 VC-backed shutdowns since 2023; several reasons per company possible)

Bankruptcies in the Netherlands fell by 15% in 2025 to 3,636; trade (706), construction (488) and specialist business services (378) had the most. In information and communication, the sector of most tech startups, the number rose slightly from 167 to 176 (CBS, January 2026). In 2024 KVK still reported a 34% rise, from 3,326 to 4,467 (KVK Business Dynamics 2024). Entrepreneurs who embrace digitalization stand a better chance of building traction.

Key statistics: failure rate

• 53.5% of 2018 starters still self-employed after 5 years (CBS StatLine 85154NED, 2025)
• 59.8% still self-employed after 2 years (CBS StatLine 85154NED, 2025)
• 72.3% of 2022 starters still self-employed after 1 year (CBS StatLine 85154NED, 2025)
• Leading cause of VC-backed shutdowns: ran out of capital (70%) (CB Insights, 2026)
• Second cause: poor product-market fit (43%) (CB Insights, 2026)
• Median 22 months from last funding round to shutdown (CB Insights, 2026)
• 3,636 bankruptcies in 2025, -15% (CBS, January 2026)
• Bankruptcy rate: 8.2 per 100,000 businesses in 2025, down from 9.8 (CBS, January 2026)
• Most bankruptcies in 2024 in retail: 1,053, +51% (KVK Business Dynamics 2024)

Sources: CBS StatLine 85154NED, 2025, CB Insights, 2026, CBS, January 2026, KVK Business Dynamics 2024

AI & Deep Tech

Deep tech is the Dutch powerhouse: it accounts for just 12% of the ecosystem but produces 41% of all scaleups and attracted 41% of all venture capital in 2025. Its scaleup ratio of 39% is more than double that of non-deep tech companies (17%) (State of Dutch Tech 2026 (TNO)).

AI attracts 27% of Dutch VC investments, and 75% of the AI investments in Dutch startups in 2025 came from foreign investors. The Netherlands has the highest AI talent density in Europe at 10.9 AI professionals per 10,000 inhabitants (State of Dutch Tech 2026 (TNO)). 89% of Dutch AI startups build vertical solutions on US foundation models (State of Dutch Tech 2026 via IO+). In the first three quarters of 2026, AI was the largest sector by VC with $1.6 billion (Dealroom, October 2026).

Compared with the rest of the world, the Netherlands over-indexes in semiconductors, food and health, and under-indexes in space, gaming and transportation (Dealroom, October 2026). Since 2022, 405 new spin-offs have emerged from Dutch universities and knowledge institutes, 1.6 times as many as in 2012-2015 (State of Dutch Tech 2026 (TNO)).

FinTech

The Netherlands is a European fintech hub: fintech is the strongest sector among the 11 private Dutch unicorns, with Mollie, Mambu, Backbase and bunq (Failory, 2026), and Adyen is among the three most valuable Dutch tech companies (Dealroom, November 2026). The Dutch payment infrastructure, historically strong thanks to iDEAL and early adoption of debit card payments, provides fertile ground for fintech innovation.

HealthTech

Health is one of the sectors where the Netherlands over-indexes on VC (Dealroom, October 2026). Several of the largest Dutch rounds of 2025 were in biotech and health, including Azafaros ($147 million), Leyden Labs ($70 million) and Salvia BioElectronics (€60 million) (Dutch Startup Association via IO+, 2026). The aging population and pressure on the healthcare system give healthtech structural growth potential.

Climate Tech

Battery innovations, carbon capture and net-zero solutions benefit from the momentum of the EU Green Deal. The Port of Rotterdam and the Maasvlakte offer a unique testbed for industrial sustainability innovations, from green hydrogen to circular materials.

Verified sector figures for the Dutch ecosystem

Source: State of Dutch Tech 2026 (TNO); non-deep tech shares calculated as the remainder

Key statistics: sectors

• Deep tech: 12% of ecosystem, 41% of all scaleups (State of Dutch Tech 2026 (TNO))
• Deep tech: 41% of all VC in 2025 (State of Dutch Tech 2026 (TNO))
• AI attracts 27% of all VC investments (State of Dutch Tech 2026 (TNO))
• 75% of AI investments come from foreign investors (State of Dutch Tech 2026 (TNO))
• AI talent density: 10.9 per 10,000 inhabitants (highest in Europe) (State of Dutch Tech 2026 (TNO))
• 89% of Dutch AI startups build on US foundation models (State of Dutch Tech 2026 via IO+)
• AI: $1.6 billion VC in 2026 Q1-3, the largest sector (Dealroom, October 2026)
• 405 university and research spin-offs since 2022 (State of Dutch Tech 2026 (TNO))
• FinTech: strongest sector among the 11 private unicorns (Failory, 2026)

Sources: State of Dutch Tech 2026 (TNO), State of Dutch Tech 2026 via IO+, Dealroom, October 2026, Failory, 2026, Dutch Startup Association via IO+, 2026

WBSO: the main R&D tax incentive

The WBSO (R&D Tax Credit) is the largest fiscal innovation incentive for Dutch businesses. In 2025, 18,932 companies used it, 97% of them SMEs, and 2,389 used the starters facility with extra tax benefit. RVO granted €1.9 billion in tax benefit on about €8.7 billion of planned R&D costs (RVO WBSO Annual Report 2025).

In 2026 companies can deduct 36% of their R&D base in the first tier, rising to 50% for starters. The first tier runs up to €391,020; above that the rate is 16% (RVO WBSO, 2026).

Invest-NL: stimulating scale-up growth

Invest-NL has committed €1,740 million to 230 companies and funds. Its portfolio companies account for 14,250 FTEs and realised €334 million in R&D expenditure in 2025 (Invest-NL, 2026).

Other programs

• Seed Capital: interest-free state loans of up to €12 million per fund for funds investing in technostarters; 131 funds financed so far, and 354 of the startups (42%) reached an exit (RVO Seed Capital, 2026)
• Innovation Box: effective corporate tax rate of 9% on profits from innovative activities (Dutch Tax Administration, 2026)
• Seed Capital results: average revenue per startup rose from €0.8 million to €5.1 million (RVO Seed Capital, 2026)
• Techleap: the publicly funded accelerator of the Dutch tech ecosystem and co-author of the State of Dutch Tech report

Entrepreneurs and startups that use AI and digital marketing effectively can still compete with limited resources.

Key statistics: government support

• WBSO tax benefit granted: €1.9 billion in 2025 (RVO WBSO Annual Report 2025)
• WBSO users: 18,932 companies, 97% SMEs (RVO WBSO Annual Report 2025)
• WBSO starters facility: 2,389 users (RVO WBSO Annual Report 2025)
• WBSO rate first tier: 36%, starters 50%, above €391,020: 16% (2026) (RVO WBSO, 2026)
• Invest-NL committed capital: €1,740 million, 230 investments (Invest-NL, 2026)
• Innovation Box: 9% corporate tax on innovation profits (Dutch Tax Administration, 2026)
• Seed Capital: €72 million invested in startups per year on average (RVO Seed Capital, 2026)
• Latest Seed Capital tender: €29.3 million; defence tender €42 million (RVO Seed Capital, 2026)

Sources: RVO WBSO Annual Report 2025, RVO WBSO, 2026, Invest-NL, 2026, RVO Seed Capital, 2026, Dutch Tax Administration, 2026

1. AI becomes the backbone of every startup

AI is no longer a niche but the foundation of every tech company. Adoption is rising fast: 17% of Dutch companies with 2 or more employees used AI in 2025, up from 8% in 2023; among companies with 250 or more employees it was 66%, up from 42% (provisional figures, CBS, December 2025). AI is also where the money goes: 27% of Dutch VC (State of Dutch Tech 2026 (TNO)).

For growing startups, AI integration is a baseline requirement for competitiveness. From customer service to marketing automation and financial forecasting: AI touches every aspect of the business.

2. Quantum computing & photonics reach commercial phase

Eindhoven and Delft remain European hotspots for quantum hardware, photonics and semiconductors; the Netherlands over-indexes on semiconductor VC (Dealroom, October 2026). Deep tech already attracts 41% of Dutch venture capital (State of Dutch Tech 2026 (TNO)).

3. Climate tech benefits from EU Green Deal

EU policy pressure is driving investments in battery innovations, carbon capture and net-zero technology. The connection to Dutch ports and industry makes Rotterdam and the Maasvlakte natural locations for climate tech scaleups.

4. The early-stage gap becomes a systemic risk

Rounds under €15 million are occurring less frequently (State of Dutch Tech 2026 (TNO)), and the number of new business starters fell by 10% in 2025 (KVK Business Dynamics 2025). In Q1 2026, seed rounds were about 39% of all deals but only 3.6% of the capital (KPMG, April 2026). If early-stage funding keeps lagging, the pipeline of future scaleups dries up.

5. Internationalization accelerates

US investors tripled their participation in large rounds to 40% (State of Dutch Tech 2026 (TNO)). This brings not only capital but also access to the American market. The downside: brain drain and HQ relocation to the US is a real risk.

6. Diversity as a competitive advantage

Scaleups led by women are growing by 22% a year, but still make up only 8% of Dutch scaleups (State of Dutch Tech 2026 (TNO)). Incubators and accelerators are increasingly targeting programs at underrepresented groups.

7. Marketing as a growth lever for startups

In a market where fewer businesses are being started but more capital is available for the best-performing companies, marketing is increasingly decisive for which startups scale and which don't. Early traction, a strong online presence and data-driven customer acquisition are no longer nice-to-haves but essential growth engines.

For startups looking to accelerate their growth, an AI-driven marketing approach is increasingly the first step. AI tools make it possible to execute SEO, content marketing and campaign optimization that previously required an entire marketing team, and a focused growth marketing agency can plug that gap faster than hiring in-house.

Key statistics: trends

• AI use at companies (2+ employees): 8% (2023) to 17% (2025) (CBS, December 2025)
• AI use at large companies (250+): 42% to 66% (CBS, December 2025)
• Deep tech: 41% of Dutch VC (State of Dutch Tech 2026 (TNO))
• US participation in large rounds: tripled to 40% (State of Dutch Tech 2026 (TNO))
• Women-led scaleups: +22% a year (State of Dutch Tech 2026 (TNO))
• Seed rounds in Q1 2026: 39% of deals, 3.6% of capital (KPMG, April 2026)
• Dutch VC 2026 forecast: $4.4 billion (Dealroom projection) (Dealroom, October 2026)

Sources: CBS, December 2025, State of Dutch Tech 2026 (TNO), KPMG, April 2026, Dealroom, October 2026, KVK Business Dynamics 2025