Tech Takeovers: Rotterdam’s most talked-about startup acquisitions of 2024

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The Dutch startup ecosystem continues to captivate international attention. According to the State of Dutch Tech 2024 report, acquisitions in the Dutch startup ecosystem saw a notable increase in 2023, with 63 per cent of Dutch startups and scale-ups being acquired by non-Dutch companies. 

This highlights the strong global interest in Dutch innovation, despite challenges such as slower growth and a funding gap for scaling ventures. 

Enter Rotterdam, a vibrant port city in the Netherlands, establishing itself as a significant player in the global startup ecosystem. While renowned for its maritime industry, the city has cultivated a thriving entrepreneurial spirit, nurturing innovation across diverse sectors. 

This dynamic environment has attracted investors and larger companies, leading to a growing number of successful startup acquisitions originating from Rotterdam.

In this article, we spotlight some of the Rotterdam-based startups that were acquired in 2024.

Lox Solution

Lox, a Rotterdam-based company specialising in delivery issue management, was acquired by the Dutch shipping platform Sendcloud. The move aims to strengthen Sendcloud’s capabilities in tackling global shipping challenges, including the complexities and costs of delivery issues. 

The acquisition aligns with Sendcloud’s strategy to enhance its e-commerce shipping solutions and provide more seamless delivery experiences for its users worldwide.

JEDLIX

London’s Kraken, an AI-driven platform for utility digitalisation, acquired Jedlix, a Rotterdam-based provider of smart electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions. Jedlix specialises in branded smart and bi-directional charging technologies to optimise EV charging. The acquisition bolsters Kraken’s capabilities in flexible demand management for utilities, enhancing its position in the energy sector.

Harborn Digital

EPSA Netherlands (formerly AB&C Group), a business service provider, acquired Rotterdam’s Harborn, a digital agency specialising in integrating data, technology, and communication. The acquisition enhances EPSA Netherlands’ digital expertise and blends its existing capabilities in RPA through NewDawn Robotics and digital transformation via Boer & Croon. The company is leveraging these combined strengths to introduce a new offering: EPSA Digital. (Read here)

Youfone

KPN has received approval from the Dutch regulator ACM to acquire Youfone’s Dutch operations, following the announcement in 2023. Rotterdam-based Youfone already operates on KPN’s networks and serves over 580,000 customers with mobile and fixed services.

The acquisition strengthens KPN’s position in the mobile and broadband market while allowing Youfone to pursue further growth under its established business model. Youfone will continue to operate independently within KPN to maintain its customer-focused approach.

WeAreFrank!

SynTouch partnered with Rotterdam-based WeAreFrank!, an expert in low-code, open-source integration and API solutions. This collaboration combines the strengths of both companies to deliver enhanced integration solutions to clients across various sectors, both in the Netherlands and internationally.  

The partnership focuses on supporting and advancing the Frank!Framework, aligning with WeAreFrank!’s goal to establish itself as the leading open-source integration platform in the Netherlands through its Frank!Partners network. (Read here)

Backlink

Rotterdam’s online marketing company Flowboost acquired a 50 per cent stake in Dutch startup Backlink.nl, a platform for link building focused on organic traffic websites. This acquisition strengthens Flowboost’s position in the link-building sector. Backlink.nl is recognised as the largest Dutch link-building platform of its kind.

Flo Group

Accenture acquired Flo, a Rotterdam-based consulting firm specialising in Oracle supply chain cloud technology. Flo’s employees joined the Accenture Oracle Business Group, enhancing its ability to help clients transform their digital core for supply chain improvements. 

Flo serves enterprise clients across various industries in Europe, including retail, automotive, manufacturing, and energy, focusing on logistics initiatives that drive savings and continuous improvement.

Broekman Distriport Real Estate

CLdN acquired 100 per cent of Broekman Distriport Real Estate BV and its subsidiary Broekman Distriport BV, enhancing its service offerings at the Port of Rotterdam. The acquisition strengthens CLdN’s position with a 22-hectare site featuring 630 meters of quayside for RoRo and LoLo vessels, as well as container handling and storage facilities. 

Additionally, Broekman Logistics is investing in its Project Services terminal at Rotterdam-Heijplaat, transforming it into a quayside location for assembly and technical services for industrial and offshore equipment. (Read here)

ChemChain

3E acquired Rotterdam’s ChemChain to enhance its 3E Exchange platform. ChemChain uses blockchain technology to help businesses track and manage chemical-related information in a secure and transparent way. 

This partnership will combine 3E’s supply chain management tools with ChemChain’s technology to make supply chains more transparent and sustainable, helping businesses organise data and comply with regulations more easily. (Read here)

Mployee

Bullhorn, a provider of staffing and recruitment software, acquired Mployee, a Rotterdam-based provider of Salesforce-based solutions for recruitment agencies. This acquisition will help Bullhorn expand its end-to-end enterprise solution for customers using the Salesforce platform.

The integration of Mployee’s middle-office capabilities with Bullhorn’s front-office tools aims to streamline operations and address challenges in the recruitment industry. (Read here)

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Vishal Singh

Vishal Singh is a News Reporter and Social Media Marketing Lead at Silicon Canals. He covers developments in the European startup ecosystem and oversees the publication's social media presence. Before joining Silicon Canals, Vishal gained experience at the Indian digital media outlet Inc42, contributing to its growth with insightful content. Despite being a college dropout, his passion for writing has driven his career in journalism.

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