These are the five events during StartupFest you can’t miss

This is an exciting week for the Dutch startup-scene, with some really big and important events. StartupFest kicks off tomorrow and it turns the entire country in a bustling startup-hub for the rest of the week. Big events with bigger names on even bigger stages. These are the 5 events we think you can’t miss.

StartupFest

StartupFest features 30 events with different themes and subjects, held in 16 different Dutch cities. It will also host startups from 45 different countries all over the world. The first hackathons kicked off las weekend, but the party doesn’t stop until next weekend.

StartupFest opening

Where: Amsterdam
When: Tuesday 24 May, 9.30 till 18.00
Tim Cook from Apple. Eric Schmidt from Google/Alphabet. Travis Kalanick from Uber. These are just some names of speakers during the grand opening of Startup Fest in Amsterdam and they are just the tip of the iceberg. The programme takes all day and also features guests like Pieter van der Does from Adyen, Gillian Tans from Booking, Nathan Blecharczyk from Airbnb en Mark Rutte, prime minister of The Netherlands. There’s keynotes, panels and a selection of promising startups that can pitch their company. It doesn’t happen often that you get the chance to attend an event with such a line-up. Tickets don’t come cheap, but are still available and probably more than worth it.
More info: Startup Fest opening

Campus Party

Where: Utrecht
Where: 25 – 29 May
Campus Party is a festival inside the StartupFest. From May 25th until the weekend the Jaarbeurs in Utrecht becomes the place to be for the coolest tech. It is one of the biggest tech-festivals in the world and this is the first time it is being held in The Netherlands. Be prepared for a lot of great events ranging from a talk from a Noble Prize winner to a LEGO hackathon or pro-gaming. For some aerial action, Campus Party has an entire hall specially assigned to drones.
More info: Campus-party.org

Techilicious

Where: Delft
When: 25 May, 17.00 – 21.30
Usually the building of incubator YES!Delft is buzzing with startup activity. But for Techilicious everything slows down for dinner, as the entire building will transform into a restaurant. If you’re hungry for networking opportunities, this is the place to be. The restaurant will put captains of industry on the same table as promising startups, giving both parties the opportunity to bridge the gap and join forces to fuel success. Registration for startups has passed, but corporates can still join!
More info: Techilicious

Our Future Health

Where: Nijmegen
When: 26 May, 9.00 – 18.00
Nijmegen is where healthcare meets startups. Our Future Health features a wide range of speakers, with scientists, technologists, royalty and startup-experts in the line-up. Theme of the conference is how we can make health ‘sustainable’. Sustainable as in better, more affordable and accessible. 1.200 guests can also hear innovative startups from the health-sector pitch their ideas.
More info: OurFutureHealth.org

Disco 3000 – Start Up The Party!

Where: Rotterdam
When: Saturday 28 May, 21.30 – 03.00
All work no play makes Jack a dull boy. So at the end of Startup Fest it is time to let your hair down. But with hundreds of techies, angels, innovators, accelerators, founders, co-founders, students, hackers and developers joined in the same room, the fun doesn’t get in the way of networking opportunities. But don’t forget to hit the dancefloor as they have world class DJ’s like Roog, Pop on Acid and JAMA, but also up and coming talent like IBM Watson behind the wheels of steel.
More info: Startup and Dance

Full program

But this is just a sample of what’s going on the coming week on StartupFest. There’s something for everyone, with events on FinTech, water management, VR or mobile marketing. For more information on Startup Fest, check out the full program. Most events still have tickets available, so no reason not to check them out.