Dutch Parliament Explores New Fiscal Incentives for Startup Investments
The Hague, Wednesday, 21 May 2025.
The Dutch government is considering fiscal policies to enhance the startup investment climate, inspired by the UK’s successful EIS/SEIS model. This aims to drive growth and innovation.
Parliamentary Breakthrough
In a significant development for the Dutch startup ecosystem, the House of Representatives has approved a motion put forward by Laurens Dassen (Volt) and Claire Martens-America (VVD) [1]. This legislative initiative specifically calls on the government to develop proposals for encouraging private investors, particularly business angels, to increase their investments in innovative startups [1].
UK Model as Blueprint
The proposed fiscal framework draws inspiration from the United Kingdom’s Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS), which have demonstrated remarkable success in stimulating startup growth and employment [1]. The Dutch government’s interest in replicating this model comes at a time when the national investment landscape is evolving, with organizations like Invest-NL already working to make previously unfeasible projects financially viable [2].
Vertical SaaS Growth Potential
This initiative arrives amid growing momentum in the Dutch startup sector, particularly in vertical SaaS (Software as a Service) solutions. The timing is particularly relevant as investments in vertical SaaS are experiencing a global annual growth rate of 20% [6], suggesting significant potential for Dutch startups to capture market share with specialized solutions across various sectors.
Future Implications
The motion represents a strategic step toward strengthening the Netherlands’ position as a startup hub. With established government investment vehicles like Invest-NL already supporting innovation [2], and regional development agencies like Oost NL actively facilitating business growth [4], this new fiscal initiative could create a more comprehensive support structure for startup development [1].