Market Development Director to Step Down at Dutch National Investment Agency
Amsterdam, Tuesday, 18 August 2026.
Anne Mieke van der Werf is leaving Invest-NL after seven years of shaping the state-backed agency’s market development and startup financing strategy since its inception.
A Pivotal Departure After Seven Years of Growth
The departure of Anne Mieke van der Werf, who has served as the Director of Market Development at Invest-NL, marks the conclusion of a foundational chapter for the Dutch state-backed impact investor [1][2]. Having been involved with the organization since its initial establishment phase, van der Werf has spent seven years shaping the agency’s business development trajectory [1][2]. Her official final day with the Amsterdam-based firm is scheduled for September 18, 2026, giving the organization a brief transition window to establish interim leadership [4][5].
A Foundational Legacy in Dutch Market Development
Under van der Werf’s guidance, the Business Development division at Invest-NL grew from an early-stage initiative into a core department designed to increase the success rates of new markets and transition sectors [1][2]. According to Jellie Banga, the Chief Business Officer at Invest-NL, van der Werf’s team utilized professional expertise and a robust network to enable crucial financing for Dutch entrepreneurs working toward sustainability and resilience [1][2]. To ensure continuity after her departure, Invest-NL has announced that the position of Director of Market Development will be filled on an interim basis for a period of one year [1][2].
Invest-NL’s Expanding Investment Footprint
Originally founded in 2020, the Amsterdam-headquartered venture capital firm has rapidly scaled its operations to support the regional startup ecosystem [5]. As of July 2026, Invest-NL maintains a team of 67 people and has backed 70 companies [5]. The firm’s portfolio is heavily focused on domestic innovation, with 94.286% of its investments concentrated within the Netherlands, representing 66 out of its 70 total backed companies [5]. The remaining international investments are distributed across the United States, India, Sweden, and Switzerland [5].
Strategic Transitions and Future Outlook
The transition comes at a highly active period for the investment agency, which completed 15 investments in 2026 alone, including recent additions such as Keiron and Xeltis [5]. The firm’s long-term strategy has also yielded mature exits, facilitating three public listings—ONWARD, Pryme, and Avantium—as well as two acquisitions, such as Airhive’s acquisition of portfolio company Carbyon in July 2026 [5]. Reflecting on her tenure, van der Werf expressed gratitude for the collaborative successes that went beyond simple financial participation, noting that her team focused on creating lasting value and improving capital access for forward-thinking entrepreneurs [4].