Forty Dutch Startups Selected for Global Tech Stage in Las Vegas
The Hague, Sunday, 13 September 2026.
Marking ten years of Dutch participation, forty handpicked startups will showcase pioneering innovations like AI-powered recycling and battery diagnostics to global investors at CES 2027.
Preparing for the Global Stage
On Sunday, 13 September 2026, the Dutch government officially announced the selection of forty innovative startups and scale-ups slated to represent the Netherlands at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada, from January 5 to January 9, 2027 [1][2][5]. This high-profile trade mission, organized by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) on behalf of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, will be led by Willemijn Aerdts, the State Secretary for the Digital Economy and Sovereignty [2][3][5]. To ensure these companies are fully equipped to pitch to international investors and media, a mandatory preparation session will take place tomorrow, Monday, 14 September 2026, in Amsterdam [5].
Financial and Strategic Backing
Participating in this prestigious delegation requires a cooperative investment from both the public sector and the businesses themselves. Startups pay a standard participation fee of €4,400 (excluding VAT) to cover exhibition space at the “Netherlands Tech Square” within Eureka Park, booth construction, and specialized training programs [5]. However, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can apply for a 50% reimbursement of this fee, lowering their direct exhibition cost to €2200 [5]. The Ministry supports these businesses to help them scale internationally and transition into “tech champions” [1][2].
Pioneering Solutions on Display
The selected Dutch cohort represents a diverse range of sectors addressing critical global challenges in digital infrastructure, clean energy, and healthcare [2][3]. Among the notable participants is VNYX, a company developing AI-powered robots designed to sort and sell secondhand clothing [1][2][3]. Another prominent innovator is InnerTech, which utilizes advanced CT scanner technology to detect internal defects in batteries [1][2][3]. Additionally, Kalpana Systems will showcase its ultra-thin protective coatings engineered to extend the lifespan and sustainability of batteries and solar panels [2][3].
Enterprise AI to the Forefront
Another notable representative at the RVO Netherlands pavilion is Blits.ai, an enterprise Generative AI platform [4]. The company is leveraging the global stage to showcase its autonomous agents and “Digital Humans,” boasting impressive performance metrics from its live implementations, including a 34% improvement in customer satisfaction (CSAT) scores within 90 days and up to 55% cost savings per interaction [4]. Blits.ai offers model-agnostic AI deployments and plans to demonstrate its “72-hour working demo” service directly to potential clients at the event [4].
A Milestone Decade of Innovation
The upcoming CES 2027 trade mission marks a historic milestone for the Dutch technological landscape, representing the tenth time the Netherlands has participated in person at the Las Vegas exhibition [3]. The event, held at The Venetian Expo, is the world’s premier stage for technology [3][5]. The scale of the event is massive; the 2026 edition of CES drew over 148,000 visitors, 4,100 exhibitors (including approximately 1,200 startups), and 6,900 media professionals from more than 140 countries [5].
Securing International Partnerships
State Secretary Aerdts expressed immense pride in the selected forty companies, emphasizing that they are actively building the technology required for tomorrow’s economy and society [2][3]. While Minister Herbert of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy is unable to attend due to other commitments, the mission remains highly strategic for Dutch-American technological cooperation [2]. By positioning these startups in the highly visible “Netherlands Tech Square,” the government aims to provide them with the optimal springboard to secure international growth capital and establish vital business partnerships [2][3][5].