YES!Delft Celebrates 20 Years of Driving Innovation
Delft, Monday, 6 October 2025.
YES!Delft marked its 20th anniversary with a celebration highlighting its support of over 1,500 startups, 85% of which remain active, underscoring its impact on innovation in the Netherlands.
A Milestone in Innovation
On Thursday, 2 October 2025, YES!Delft celebrated two decades of fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the Netherlands. The event, held in Delft, was graced by prominent figures including Alexander Pechtold, the newly appointed mayor of Delft, and Constantijn Van Oranje-Nassau, special envoy of Techleap [1]. The anniversary marked YES!Delft’s unwavering commitment to supporting over 1,500 startups, with an impressive 85% still active today [2].
Impact Through Collaboration
The celebration underscored the necessity of collaboration among universities, government bodies, and private investors to maintain the Netherlands’ competitive edge in technological innovation. Rinke Zonneveld, CEO of Invest-NL, emphasized the importance of focusing on success rates over survival rates for startups. He highlighted the need for deeper investment from both public and private sectors to amplify the impact of tech incubators like YES!Delft [3].
Inspirational Leadership
Keynote speakers such as Vincent Karremans, Minister at the Ministry of Economic Affairs, and successful YES!Delft alumni like Eline van Beest, shared insights on the future of entrepreneurship. The event also featured panel discussions with founders and venture capitalists, aiming to inspire the next generation of innovators [1][3].
Looking Ahead
As YES!Delft looks to the future, its role as a public good was reiterated. The incubator continues to be a vital component of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Netherlands, aligning with national efforts to enhance technological advancements and support new ventures. The anniversary celebration was not just a reflection of past achievements but a call to action for continued growth and innovation [3].