What happens in the startup scene in The Netherlands right now? Find out in another Dutch startup news update!
News & Updates
Former royal palace become becomes hub for entrepreneurship and startups
Louis Bonaparte (the brother of Napoleon), Queen Emma and Queen Juliana. All of them were once the residents of Palace Soestdijk, established in 1650. Now the new owner of the palace, the consortium Made by Holland, plans to turn the palace into “a platform for innovations and excellent entrepreneurship” with exhibitions and events for a broad audience.
3D Bra startup Endeer wins TheNextWomen Pitch Competition
The French startup Endeer is the winner of TheNextWomen Pitch competition. Endeer develops tailored bras by applying 3D technologies such as 3D printed made-to-measure parts and 3D scans of a women’s body. The runner up was Bellamy Gallery, a slow fashion full stack startup. LifeSense, a startup that has developed the smart protective underwear and exercise app Carin became third. Carin enables women combat urine loss.
Microsoft Accelerator Berlin is open for applicants
The Microsoft Accelerator fall program that kicks off in september is now open for applicants. The program is specifically designed to help “Series A ready” B2B tech startups to accelerate their growth and scale in the areas of Big Data, Cloud, AI/ML, IoT, VR/AR/Mixed Reality and Blockchain. Startups from across Europe can apply.
Dutch hightech company Prodrive Technologies opens up shop in Boston, invests €100 million
Often American technology leaders like Netflix and Uber open up shop in The Netherlands, establishing their European HQ’s. Now a Dutch technology leader is set to bring good tidings to 54.000 inhabitants strong Weymouth in the larger Boston area. Prodrive Technologies will invest an impressive 100 million euros in the next 10 years in building its 7,5 acres campus at a former airforce base near Weymouth. The company that can count Philips and ASML to its client base will create 500 jobs and is already a magnet for attracting other high-tech companies to the area.
Google and Fairphone hosted mobile innovation day
During the event on June 26 app developers, business leaders and policymakers will explore opportunities for future growth of the mobile economy. A full-day hackathon is part of the program. Both Google and Fairphone are leaders in the mobile space. Google with android and Fairphone with it’s modular ‘ethical’ smartphone. You can register here.
Funding
P2P car rental service SnappCar raises 10 million euros
Utrecht headquartered P2P car rental startup SnappCar has raised 10 million euro from a group of investors. The round is led by the French car rental service Europcar Group. “Our ambition is to grow more strongly in Europe in large urban areas. In some instances this could translate in acquisitions while in other case we might decide open shop ourselves,” said SnappCar co-founder Victor van Tol about the growth strategy of the company in an interview with StartupJuncture.
Healthtech startup Verklizan raises 6 million euros
The Slieddrecht-based company Verklizan that developes health monitoring software has raised 6 million euros from Main Capital. The investment firm gets in return a 60 % majority share in the company. Verklizan software enables patients to enjoy the ambience and independence of staying home. The company services 300 clients worldwide and is active in Germany, England, France and Spain.
Monday Afternoon Watch
Startup live is serious business. It’s a profession with a very high degree of failure and as Elon Musk has once said, even if you succeed, it’s like chewing on a piece of glass. While you’re in the rollercoaster you think your startup is your life. On top of that, many founders think they are not allowed to show ‘weakness’, and find them because of that isolated. Startup life is important, but it’s not your life. So don’t take it so serious. Such an attitude will up your chances of success. And if you fail, you can always showcase your (startup)product in the Museum of Failure :-)!
Photo Credit: The Global Development Outlook: William H. Gates III speaks
