Amsterdam-based Techleap.nl’s budget reduced in half with possible new role for Prince Constantijn: Know more

Amsterdam-based Techleap.nl, a non-profit organisation focused on scaling scale-ups in the Netherlands, is expected to continue its operations for another three years, albeit with a significantly reduced budget, reports FD. 

The Dutch government, through the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate (EZK), has decided to allocate less funding to Techleap.nl, with the subsidy dropping to €15M for the next three years, nearly half of its previous budget of €35M for the initial four-year period.

Focus on deep-tech companies

EZK minister Micky Adriaansens believes that Techleap.nl had “quite an ample budget” until now, and the organisation must now limit itself to “things where it makes a difference.”

She also suggests that Techleap.nl should focus on supporting deep-tech companies, which are startups engaged in the development of complex physical technologies requiring substantial time and funding to reach the product stage.

The minister further calls upon successful tech entrepreneurs to play a more active role in the sector’s development. This is not only through knowledge and commitment but also by investing their own funds.

In countries like Germany and Switzerland, tech company boosters operate without subsidies. According to an evaluation commissioned by the ministry, Techleap.nl is relatively large compared to its foreign counterparts.

However, Adriaansens commends Techleap.nl’s efforts but expresses concern about the tech sector’s future. Her concern is the failure of tech companies to grow from startup to scaleup stage. 

The sector also faces a severe shortage of skilled workers. Furthermore, universities are struggling to foster new tech companies, despite an abundance of knowledge.

The minister emphasised the need for converting knowledge into tangible products and companies.

The role of Prince Constantijn

Adriaansens also confirmed to FD that discussions are underway with Prince Constantijn regarding his future role. 

‘He has a lot of expertise, international experience, and knows how to mobilise everything,’ she says.  

Earlier, Constantijn believed the government lacked ambition in boosting the tech sector. 

Further, Techleap.nl, in response to the funding reduction, stated that it is still unclear what the set-up will look like with considerably less funding.

Focus on pension funds to plug the funding gap

Another hurdle lies in funding for growing tech companies, which is comparatively limited in the Netherlands compared to other countries. 

Adriaansens says she is “absolutely prioritising to entice pension funds” to invest more in the tech sector. 

While Techleap.nl says it is encouraged by the review and the growth of the ecosystem, the impact cannot be measured because “many factors influence the ecosystem’s development”. 

The target of being among the top countries has not been achieved: The Netherlands ranks at number 14. But Europe lags behind, ‘and that is worrying’, says Techleap.nl.