Netherlands Boosts Tech Innovation with TNO, Techleap, and Invest-NL Alliance
The Hague, Thursday, 13 March 2025.
TNO, Techleap, and Invest-NL join forces to accelerate tech innovations in the Netherlands, address global competition, and increase startup growth, focusing on sectors with untapped potential.
Strategic Alliance Formation
In a significant development announced on March 13, 2025, TNO, Techleap, and Invest-NL have formalized their collaboration in Paris to accelerate technological innovation in the Netherlands [1][3]. This strategic partnership emerges at a crucial time when only four of the top 50 global tech companies are European, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced competitive positioning in the international tech landscape [2].
Current Market Challenges
The Netherlands has experienced concerning trends in its tech sector, with the number of new startups declining from 197 to 128 in the previous year [2]. The Dutch scale-up ratio, representing startups securing €10M+ in financing, currently stands at 21.5%, lagging behind the European average of 23% and significantly trailing the United States at 54% [2]. These statistics underscore the timing and importance of this new alliance.
Institutional Track Record
The partnering organizations bring substantial resources and experience to this collaboration. TNO has demonstrated success with 45 spin-offs since 2017, maintaining a portfolio valued at €664M and supporting 712 jobs [2]. Techleap has already supported over 350 scale-ups, with 129 tech companies raising €950M through its Rise and Pole Position programmes [2]. Meanwhile, Invest-NL has deployed over €1B of its €3B available resources since 2020 [2].
Strategic Focus Areas
The alliance’s initial focus will center on Compute technologies, including quantum computing, semiconductors, and photonics - areas where the Netherlands possesses strong talent and research capabilities but has yet to fully capitalize on commercial opportunities [2]. As noted by Constantijn van Oranje, Special Envoy at Techleap: ‘Technology and innovative entrepreneurship are increasingly part of the global geopolitical game. This collaboration ensures that we can make joint choices in supporting tech entrepreneurs in strategic sectors that make a difference for the Netherlands’ [1].