Netherlands Needs €4 Billion to Sustain Deeptech Startups
Amsterdam, Wednesday, 10 December 2025.
A report by Techleap and TNO stresses the urgency of securing €4 billion over five years to prevent the loss of innovative Dutch deeptech startups, crucial for economic growth.
A Critical Funding Challenge
On December 10, 2025, a report by Techleap and TNO underscored the urgent need for the Netherlands to secure €4 billion in funding over the next five years to support its burgeoning deeptech sector. This funding is deemed essential to prevent the potential loss of a generation of innovative startups that are pivotal to the country’s economic growth and technological leadership [1][2].
The Dutch Deeptech Ecosystem
The Netherlands boasts a robust ecosystem for deeptech computing, featuring a world-leading semiconductor industry, top-tier universities, and a vibrant startup culture. These elements position the country as a significant player in the Future of Compute (FoC) domain, capturing 30% of all European FoC venture capital investment in 2024, a substantial increase from just 3% in 2019. This growth highlights the Netherlands’ rising prominence in the European tech landscape [1][3].
Scaling Challenges and Risks
Despite the promising ecosystem, the Dutch deeptech sector faces significant challenges, particularly in securing late-stage funding, which is crucial for scaling companies. Currently, 65 FoC startups and scale-ups operate in the Netherlands, accounting for 28% of all Dutch deeptech investments, yet representing less than 5% of Dutch companies. The lack of large Series C+ funding rounds, which are common in other regions, poses a risk of foreign buyouts if the funding gap is not addressed [1][3][4].
Strategic Imperatives for the Future
To maintain and enhance its deeptech leadership, the Netherlands must focus on four critical actions: mobilizing capital, empowering founders, securing talent, and concentrating resources on scaling needs. This strategic focus aims to de-risk hardware investments, fuel late-stage tech growth, and attract top talent to sustain the sector’s momentum. Without these interventions, the Netherlands risks losing its competitive edge and strategic autonomy in the global tech arena [2][3][5].