We’ve listed the most important news in the Dutch start-up industry for you in our weekly news update. Never miss what’s going on in the Netherlands!
News & Updates
Oracle buys developer platform Wercker
Five years after its take-off, developer platform Wercker has been acquired by database technology giant Oracle. The sum for which it is acquired has not been disclosed. Oracle (ORCL) shares were up by 0.25% following the acquisition. Wercker is an Amsterdam-based startup that offers tools that enable developers to test and deploy code at a rapid pace. Empowering organisations to achieve continuous integration and continuous delivery goals.
Young Tech Enterprises Hannover Messe
Today the Young Tech Enterprises kicks off in Hannover. The event puts you in touch with people who have what it takes to put your budding business on the right track. You have a brilliant idea but not the right people around you? You might want to head to the Hannover Messe.
The Corporate Startup Book
One of the few prominent females in the Dutch startup industry, Esther Gons, co-wrote the book The Corporate Startup. Together with Dr Tendayi Viki and Dan Toma she created a practical guide for established companies that aspire to develop and sustain their innovation capabilities.
“This book outlines the core principles and practices that established companies can use to build their innovation ecosystems. Our approach will help companies to innovate like startups, without having to act like startups. Design your company so that you can create and benefit from serendipity. – says Esther Gons.” Rune Theill, co-founder Rockstart, about the book: “The Corporate Startup bridges two worlds that are normally regarded to be quite the opposite. Corporations can learn a lot about startup methodologies and how they apply to their organisations from reading this book. Startup founders should also read it to understand the challenges that large companies face and how to better collaborate with them. I highly recommend this book.”
Junior Company
Out of 400 applications in the Junior Company competition, 10 Junior Company teams made it to the finals. From this competition, a winner was chosen last week. The competition is an initiative of Stichting Jong Ondernemen, to promote entrepreneurship amongst high school kids. During a year teams have to create a company, team, business plan and show their idea is viable. Amongst the jury members were Cathalijn Snijders (The Walt Disney Company Nederland), Jan Theodoor Wiltschek (SAP Nederland), Nick Bons (Rabobank), Martine van Eck (Van Eck Group BV) and Kathelijne Codée (Jaarbeurs). In the category VMBO the Junior Company price was awarded to Second Light from Roelof van Echten College, with their natural candle created from garbage like orange peel. In the category HAVO/VWO CoverUp JC from Cals College won with their waterproof sleeves, 20 percent of the revenue goes to the Water For Life foundation.
Vaulteq launches password manager
Password managers are nothing new, though we’re happy to announce the first Dutch password manager, Vaulteq, recently released their service. With a mobile app and browser extension they will offer you the ease of remembering just one password, to access all your accounts. It also supports fingerprints and syncs passwords between different devices automatically. It meets all the current requirements for password management tools and uses two-step authentication and the client side AES 256-bit encryption.
House of Eléonore wins Investment Ready Program 2017
House of Eléonore focuses on sustainable exclusive jewellery. By winning the Investment Ready Program 2017 they will receive support seeking investment opportunities with Stichting DOEN and extra help from program partners Impact Hub Amsterdam, ING, The Boston Consulting Group, PR-agency En Serio and communication agency Twenty Four. They will help House of Eléonore prepare and get ready for investment talks.
Startupbootcamp launches first Africa-based program in Cape Town
The Dutch accelerator Startupbootcamp expanded their programs already outside The Netherlands, aiming for startup talent in the EU, Asia and Americas and now sets foot in Africa. The company’s first Africa-based program will accelerate and invest in startups operating in diverse industries including Fintech, connectivity, Agritech and insurance.
Funding
ZIVVER raised capital at venture capital fund henQ and current investors, to expand their client base. Cyber security and data protection currently is a hot topic in investment land!
Morning Afternoon Reads
Find the right team members
How to find a CTO and how to start ‘dating’ the right technical people for your team.
How startups receive millions but fail to succeed
Dutch newspaper AD published an article about US startups who recently failed their crowdfunding campaigns and promises, despite the financial resources they were pledged and received.
Growth Company Partnership Frost & Sullivan launched Global Blockchain Startup Map
Frost & Sullivan partnered with Outlier Ventures and evaluated the market and mapped 130 major blockchain startups into their key activity areas. Out of 1200 start-ups they selected the 130 startups they were found to be the most promising. “We are still at the beginning of a long journey for blockchain startups. Investment in 2016 reached an all-time high of over $500 million, bringing total investment in blockchain technology startups to $1.5 billion,” said Vijay Michalik, Digital Transformation Research Analyst at Frost & Sullivan.