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Seeking Facilitator For Company Startup in the Netherlands: What to Expect?

If you're a start-up located outside the European Union, relocating your company to Europe could be challenging for you. Fortunately, with the establishment of the Startup Visa program by the Dutch government - starting a business/company in the Netherlands has become super easy for an entrepreneur.

With the establishment of the Startup Visa policy in 2015, the Dutch Government has been accepting optimistic entrepreneurs outside the EU to start their businesses in the Netherlands.  This visa offers entrepreneurs one year to develop or grow a revolutionary business/service in the Netherlands.

One of the conditions of this program is that the start-up should collaborate with an accredited start-up visa facilitator. The facilitator has the job of bringing the entrepreneur into the Dutch/EU sector and offering assistance and advice over the length of the start-up visa. This can be achieved by giving introductions, invites to related (networking) activities, and mentorship sessions on revenue + business growth in the Netherlands.

What is a facilitator?

One of the conditions for securing a residency permit is to partner with a company mentor: called a facilitator. This partnership must be formed formally in a signed contract between the start-up client and the facilitator. The facilitator must be experienced in leading innovative startups and needs to be RVO-approved.

The facilitator delivers a customized service plan based on the particular requirements of the startup. The business person should ensure that the facilitator is honest, trustworthy, and financially stable. The facilitator cannot be in receivership, a delinquent case such as bankruptcy, or have bad debt.

Importance of a Facilitator

Growing and expanding your company is never easy, not even in a place like the Netherlands that is so nice to startups. Fortunately, there is realistic assistance available that can lead you on the journey to progress!

The Netherlands has a vibrant community of facilitators with expertise in leading creative start-ups. Such facilitators support the founder with a bundle of resources customized to the unique requirements of the start-up. For example, to start up an innovative company, the Facilitator may assist with organizational management, promotion, and capital acquisition.

How does a Dutch startup locate a facilitator?

Review the details of facilitators on RVO's website to see which facilitators can work on your niche or type of organization.

Complete the application form.

Once the application is received, the facilitator will determine whether or not to have the first contact with the startup owner. It would be an intro call with the entrepreneur to get a deeper understanding of their idea and what they're focused on. You will receive your first call within a week after application submission.

You should have a proper idea about what you like to do in the first 12 months, and how you guarantee that the business can remain successful after 12 months and that you will be willing to give you both a reasonable wage. You should also be able to answer how to create a turnover and how to get visitors/sales.

*Note: the purpose here is to present a business idea that can not only make you good money in the future but also create employment in the country.

After the first call, the mentors will discuss your project with the senior team. And if everyone approves of your idea, the facilitator will schedule a second call or visit between the start-up visa mentors and the entrepreneur. This call/visit would be a more in-depth peek at the business strategy and an opportunity for a more detailed face-to-face conversation (either via physical meeting or on video chat) between the mentors and the entrepreneur. This occurs typically within 2 weeks of the first call.

The decision to proceed facilitating or not shall be taken after the second call/visit/interview and the applicant will be notified of the "Yes" or "No" approval result within 1-2 weeks.

Is your Dutch business eligible for a start-up visa?

To be qualified for a start-up visa in the Netherlands, the following criteria should be met:

Your business possesses intellectual property.

You should have a skilled and dedicated team that enables you to make profits, develop, and create the product/service without external dependency.

You must have a reliable marketing strategy to grow not only in the Netherlands but also internationally.

You've got a functioning product or a prototype;

You consent to be domiciled in the Netherlands

Preferably, the business or international entity should be no more than 3 years old and the Netherlands is one of the earliest markets.

A list of recognized facilitators

15KM, Amsterdam Center for Entrepreneurship (ACE), B. Building Business, Brainport, Collider, Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship, Gemeente Amsterdam, High Tech Campus, Impact Hub, Rockstart Enterprises, Stichting PortXL, TEC Europe, THNK Social Enterprise, World Startup Factory, Space Business Innovation Centre Noordwijk