Guide 101: Build your Startup in the Netherlands

The Netherlands has emerged as one of the most trending hubs for business startups.
The country boasts a strategic location, a supportive business environment and a culture that encourages innovation.
If you want to enter the European market, the Netherlands can provide you with the best business climate and excellent possibilities in terms of tax.
Entrepreneurs from around the world are turning their heads to start a business in the Netherlands in hopes of making a lucrative investment.
The well-educated workforce and countless flourishing possibilities make it the ideal location to start up your business in this era.
Now, the question arises as to what the procedure is and how you would leap towards the goal of setting up your company in the Netherlands.
Read here to get all the answers to your questions as best as possible. If you want a brief guide on setting up a business on your own, here’s the main steps you need to follow:

Understand the Dutch Business Landscape

Everything begins with a piece of background knowledge and through research.
Before dipping your toes directly into the waters may cause you huge harm.
To save yourself from making the wrong decision, it is necessary to complete your understanding of the Dutch consumer market.
The Netherlands is a small country, but it is renowned for its open economy, advanced technical infrastructure and highly professional workforce.
Research the Dutch market and determine what type of business will benefit you in the long run.
Only go for a business niche that trends among the audience.

Make Your Business Plan

A business plan is the foundation of any startup.
Without a proper business plan, you are setting out for a journey without knowing the route map.
Craft a working business plan that outlines your business insights and its legal structure, clear goals and budgeting.
What type of company will it be, what type of products or services do you want to sell, who will be your targeted clients, how will you find investments, and so on?
A good business plan covers everything from top to bottom in clear words to cope with any future issues that may arise.
However, setting up a company in the Netherlands also requires you to expand your research of the Dutch market and find out what is high in trend and will benefit you in the long run.
The clear insights on this information will help in setting up a clear roadmap for your business success.

Choose the Right Location For Your Company

The location of a company matters just as much as the business plan.
The more accessible your company is, the more chances you have for yourself to succeed.
The Netherlands offers a huge variety of startup-friendly locations that provide their own unique features.
Rotterdam is well known for its modern architecture and port facilities, making it a hotspot for startup businesses.
Besides that, Amsterdam also shines brightly as a location with a vibrant ecosystem, making it the best spot for tech company startups.
Similarly, every location has its own aspects.
Understand your company niches well and select the best location that aligns well with your goals and business prospects.

Select Legal Structure and Registration

Next comes the legal structure of the company you want to set up.
Dutch laws state three types of legal structure depending upon the type of company. They include:
  • Corporate entities
  • Non-corporate entities
  • Subsidiary/ Branch entities
Decide on what type of legal structure you want to choose for your company.
The most common legal form of startup these days is to set up a Dutch BV.
The Private Limited Company (BV) and Public Limited Company (NV) are based on sole proprietorship. Once you have a legal structure decided, the next step needs some paperwork.
Now is the time to register your company with the KVK.
The registration process follows along with the Dutch Tax and Custom Association, and once you are done, Voila.
You are all ready to claim ownership of the company.

Access Your Funding

Funding is the most crucial part of setting up your startup.
The Netherlands tends to attract more entrepreneurs; its ecosystem of investors, incubators and accelerators is playing a huge role in hindsight.
You can explore fund-securing opportunities like venture capital firms Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) grants.
And angel investors. To get a thorough understanding of the flow of money and funding plans, the Intercompany Solutions blog can be a golden guide.
As a startup business, joining the startup communities and making valuable connections can help you thrive in the Dutch business landscape.

Workforce Acquisition

The next step lies in expanding your company and supporting it with incredible talents.
The Netherlands offers a highly educated and multilingual workforce to contribute to your business success.
Although the mother language of the country is Dutch, English is widely spoken and understood, making it convenient for international entrepreneurs to collaborate and communicate.

Networking and Community Engagement

Just like any other business setup, a new company establishment in the Netherlands requires you to build a robust network in the community.
The best way to do it is by joining startup communities, attending industry events and engaging with local entrepreneurs.
The Dutch business community is popular for its openness and willingness to collaborate with other businesses.
They strongly believe in working together to thrive in the long run.
All you need to do is to engage and grab the right opportunity.