PROGRAM INFORMATION
Find out how the Accelerate in the Netherlands Program
#Protein edition can work for you and sign up today!
THE FULL PROGRAM: 3 STAGES
ONLINE MATCHMAKING EVENT
4 MARCH 2025, ONLINE
Are you interested in exploring growth opportunities for your company in the Netherlands? Sign up for the online matchmaking event. Based on your business, your solution, and your needs, we will match your company with one or more experts who can provide you with detailed information about opportunities in the Dutch ecosystem.
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?
Every participating company will be offered a conversation with experts in the Dutch Alternative Protein Ecosystem. These experts play a central role in the ecosystem and can directly assist you with relevant information and connections, if desired and possible. The meetings are held online, each lasting a maximum of 20 minutes, and aim to provide you with a clear understanding of the opportunities the Netherlands can offer your business through a few relevant discussions, including potential follow-up meetings.
PARTICIPATION DETAILS
Participating in the event is free. A maximum of 100 international companies can participate and will be selected based on their relevance to the Dutch ecosystem.
LIVE FOLLOW-UP EVENT
8 & 9 APRIL 2025, AMSTERDAM
After the matchmaking process, we will evaluate whether the growth opportunities in the Netherlands are mutually beneficial for your company and the Dutch Protein Ecosystem. Up to 20 international companies will be invited to the live Plant FWD conference, including 1:1 follow-up meetings, in Amsterdam on April 8th and 9th.
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?
This two-day event brings together all Dutch (and European) leaders in the field of alternative proteins, from startups to investors, and from policymakers to food corporates. It’s the event to attend if you want to stay updated on the latest trends, expand your network, and conduct business. In addition to the inspiring speaker program at Plant FWD, we will arrange a side track to connect you with relevant potential partners in one-on-one meetings. Last but not least, a few companies will have the chance to enter a 'pitch competition' for investors and leading food companies.
PARTICIPATION DETAILS
Only 20 companies (selected after the online matchmaking) can attend the follow-up event. They will get free tickets valued at €529. Travel and accommodation costs are at their own expense.
EXCLUSIVE SUPPORT PROGRAM
BY INVEST IN HOLLAND
APRIL - DECEMBER 2025, ONLINE / LIVE
Building on the success of the Plant FWD conference, we are extending a select invitation to those companies with exceptional growth potential in the Netherlands to join our Exclusive Support Program. This invitation-only opportunity is designed for forward-thinking businesses ready to expand and accelerate within the Netherlands’ thriving and innovative ecosystem.
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?
As a participant in this exclusive program, you will receive tailored, high-level support designed to address your company’s needs. Whether you require specialized R&D or scale-up facilities, wish to explore funding instruments, or seek strategic collaborations with some of The Netherlands’ top food corporates, we offer the resources to accelerate your growth. Additionally, if you're considering establishing a presence in the Netherlands, our program includes expert guidance to help you navigate the process seamlessly. From regulatory frameworks to site selection, we ensure your setup is smooth and efficient, allowing you to focus on scaling your business.
PARTICIPATION DETAILS
- No Cost to Participate: This program is offered at no charge, providing exceptional value.
- Participant Expenses: Travel, accommodation, and establishment costs are the responsibility of the participants.
Up to 10 select companies will be chosen for this exclusive program, ensuring that each participant receives the focus, resources, and support needed to successfully enter and thrive in the Dutch market. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to position your business for growth in one of Europe’s most innovative and dynamic ecosystems.
CONVINCED AND READY TO APPLY?
Finalize your registration by following these simple steps.
Register for the program via our form (button below). You can apply here for stage 1. (An evaluation process after each stage will determine whether your company gets selected for the next stage).
Fill out the form and send in your company pitch deck, you can find more details and submission requirements above the form. As soon as we have received your pitch, you will get a confirmation e-mail.
After the deadline, our partners will assess all pitches individually. If one or more partners think they are able to help you, you will receive a personal invitation for stage 1, the online matchmaking event.
Questions? Find your answers here!
How can I participate?
- More information about the process and the program can be found here
- You can also sign up and register directly via this sign up form
- Make sure to register before the deadline on January 28th 2025, 5:00PM CET
Who can participate?
The Accelerate in Holland Protein Edition call is meant for foreign startups, scale-ups and SMEs (10+ FTE) that are ready for the first or next step in international expansion.
Are there participation costs involved?
- The participation in the online matchmaking event is completely free of charge, including registration and attendance.
- If your company is selected for the follow-up live event in Amsterdam, you will receive complimentary tickets valued at €529 (an a discount for a co-founder), but you will need to cover your own travel and accommodation expenses.
- The subsequent individual support program is also offered at no cost, though once again, any expenses related to travel, accommodation, or establishing a presence in the Netherlands will be your responsibility.
How likely am I to be invited to the Online Matchmaking Event?
The final invitations depend on the quality and quantity of the submissions. A maximum of 100 companies can participate in the online matchmaking event. In similar events, 60 to 80% of the registered companies are invited to participate. So seize your opportunity!
What does the process look like after I upload a pitch document?
After you have uploaded your pitch document you will receive a confirmation of receipt by email. If you have not received this, please contact us at info@starthubs.co as soon as possible and before the deadline of this call
After the deadline (January 28th 2025 at 17.00 GMT+1), representatives and experts from the Accelerate in Holland program will evaluate the submissions and assess whether they are able to help you. In that case, they will likely invite you to the matchmaking event to get acquainted.
On February 18th 2025 it will be announced who will be invited to the Online Matchmaking Event, which will take place on March 4th 2025 (mark that day in your agenda!).
If I submit a pitch, what happens to that information?
After submitting a pitch, you will receive a confirmation email stating it was successfully received. The information is securely stored in Starthubs' review system.
Be aware that your pitch will be reviewed by representatives and experts form the partner organisations of this call and may be shared with others/colleagues. So keep IP sensitive unique (technical) details out of your pitch, keep it a secret that you can share later.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
Ask them via the Q&A module on the sign up page. Still have questions? Reach out to our Program Manager Maaike van Lynden: info@nfia.nl.