The Dutch experience in Silicon Valley Bianca Oudshoff May 7th 2012
Focus of this Presentation Overview of the Dutch approach in Silicon Valley Entrepreneurship activities Facts and figures Example: the Silicon Summit Example: strategic Investment Approach What makes the Valley unique Lessons learned Next steps towards a European approach 2
Dutch Consulate Silicon Valley Economic Division Netherlands Business Support Office Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency Netherlands Office for Science and Technology overall goal: support Dutch research and business in the US; stimulate (research) collaboration and; attract research and investment. 3
Entrepreneurship Bootcamp Silicon Summit Incubator Holland in the Valley Support Dutch incubators and start ups; Support Dutch Universities with their curriculum; Build a network of angels, vc's and incubators Market scans and introductions Support incoming and outgoing delegations Organize events 4
Facts and figures Yearly visit of about 150 companies; Yearly about 12 market scans for companies serious about moving to the US; Currently eight Dutch companies in our incubator; Also a lot of Dutch companies in other incubators; Already some very successful Dutch companies established in the US; The Silicon Summit this year for the third time with 16 companies of which 5 are hypo's ; Several research collaborations signed last couple of years; US is largest investor in the Netherlands. 5
the Silicon Summit (www.siliconsummit.org) A yearly event for Dutch high tech starters Selection with the G-score in the Netherlands Week long study program: lectures by SV experts, pitch training, company visits, two pitching events High profile program for 3-5 best companies: market scan, introductions by VC's or partners In collaboration with SV partners like Guidewire Group, Rocketspace, SV Forum 6
Strategic Investment Approach Science and Investment people together screen a specific area Then develop a value proposition Organize workshops and Target interesting companies Bringing companies to the Netherlands is next step 7
What makes The Valley The Valley? Ecosystem All about networks Paying it forward Social networking Exit strategy Failure is a good experience 8
Success factors as I see them Believe in yourself Good networker Lots of energy and passion Prepared to invest time and money Open attitude, prepared to take advice Solid home base, track record And of course a good team, idea et cetera 9
What can we learn Preparation is Key Internationalising is not for everybody Invest in networks Soft landing increases success rate Before going international: solid base and track record EU countries working together have a stronger presence and more impact; There is a willingness to collaborate more but time and money are limiting; In the end it is all about having the right local network and connecting the right people. 10
Next Steps Set up a broader network in the Netherlands Continue with Silicon Summit Start a Kauffman Fasttrack Growth Venture track Within the EU Look for EU partners both on incubator/accelerator level and on government level Discuss possibilities for sharing expertise, collaborate Set up a Kauffman track together 11
for more information or further contact: Bianca Oudshoff Directorate-General for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Enterprise Department Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation T +31 70 379 6580 E b.c.oudshoff@mineleni.nl Bezuidenhoutseweg 20 2594 AV The Hague P.O. Box 20401 2500 EK The Hague 12