Still have questions or want to talk to us live?
Join one of our next Virtual Q&A sessions for the next program in New York 2022!
Sign up using the following link to join the Q&A on either dates:
Tuesday, 23 August 2022 – 16:30 CET
Tuesday, 30 August 2022 – 16:30 CET
General information
These are the important dates for you to know, and block in your agenda.
Applications are now open until February 18.
Selection Days is taking place, in person, in Amsterdam on February 25 & 28.
The program will start on April 11th, and run until July 1st.
Sessions will take place virtually or in person on Tuesdays and Thursdays, mostly in the afternoon and evening.
There will be 1 week in May fully in person in Amsterdam.
The trip to the USA will take place in June.
Ten companies are selected to join the program
We will invite 15-20 teams to Selection Days in Amsterdam, where they will pitch to valuable stakeholders of the ecosystem and receive a lot of insightful feedback. A professional selection committee will make the final selection of ten companies that will join the program.
Applications are currently open, anyone can apply!
Applications are currently open until February 18th.
Our team will select a shortlist of 15-20 applicants to present at the Selection Days on Feb 25 & 28.
During the first day, teams will virtually pitch to our selection committee. The committee is made up of advisors and partners with experience in scaling to the USA, investing in startups, and building businesses. Teams will get a lot of valuable feedback from that day.
On the second day, teams will virtually pitch to a smaller selection panel.
Based on the input and feedback from both days, the selection panel will select ten companies to join the program.
Is the program a fit for my company?
As long as your choice to go to the US is deliberate and strategic, we encourage you to apply!
Below are some minimum requirements that we look for.
Digital-first businesses across all verticals
Working on innovative and scalable tech
Within a Sustainable Development Goal
You’ve at least reached product-market fit in The Netherlands and are ready to scale
Have financial runway for most of 2022
Are already planning to expand to the US in 2022. Maybe you’ve even taken some steps towards making that happen.
Still have doubts about whether your business is a fit? Email us.
We’re looking for companies that we can really help.
More specifically, digital-first, scalable businesses that have proven they have a market for their solution. All tech, all sectors, different stages. As long as you have planned to expand to the US and we can help you, you have a chance and should apply!
Still have doubts about whether your business is a fit? Email us.
What can I expect from the program?
The program is designed for founders of the company. Throughout the program, we ask that one founder be fully committed and present as the main participant. They will attend all sessions, travel to the US at the end of the program, and be the main point of contact for our team, their coach and their lead mentor.
Other members of the leadership team can join certain sessions where relevant.
The main part of the program is based in The Netherlands and online.
Most companies are primarily based in The Netherlands, and the goal of the program is to get them ready for the US market.
We spend the last few weeks of the program in the US, meeting launching partners and investors.
The program is funded by the Dutch government to help Dutch tech pioneers scale in the USA.
You will have to cover your own travel and accommodation costs when we travel to the USA for two weeks. We will provide some guidance in different types of accommodation, which should cover different budgets.
We recommend having enough runway to join the program and until you can raise more funding, and having a budget internally to invest in your expansion to the US.
No other costs are involved in your joining the program.
As one of the ten companies joining the program, our goal is to get you ready to scale into the US market. Together we’ll take stock of your current situation, make a plan of what to focus on, and get it done in time for our trip to the USA.
The program phases include:
1. Introduction to get to know your business and set up a plan of where to focus in the coming weeks to establish US market readiness.
2. Adapting your business and business strategy to the US market: local product-market fit, US-friendly marketing and sales, business model, etc.
3. Getting your finances and investment plan ready for the US.
4. Go to California, meet local partners, launching customers, investors, etc. and pitch your launch at The Showcase.
Our goal is for your company to succeed in its growth to the US market. We have the network, resources and time to focus on each companies’ individual needs.
We will me mindful of your time, but expect you to be present at the program events and meetings. Here is an overview of those commitments.
Selection Days: if invited, you must attend virtually on Feb 25 evening and Feb 28 during the day.
Program: afternoons and evenings on Tuesdays and Thursdays between April 11 and July 1st should be reserved for the program.
Below are some more specific time commitments outside of that scope:
Week of April 11 – 15: this is the kick-off week of the program. There will be more sessions than usual.
Week of May 30 – June 3: full time commitment, in person, in Amsterdam.
June 13 – July 1st: full time commitment while traveling to the USA.
Again, we are mindful of your time, and will provide more specific schedules after Selection Days to the program teams.
Other
The government recognizes that startups are a driving force of the Dutch economy. For example, as job creators: 250 000 new jobs in the last 3 years alone. Scaling up your Dutch company abroad will also grow your home base in The Netherlands.
That’s why our goal is to help you grow your business abroad, and help you reach your full unicorn potential.
ScaleNL Ecosystem! Here is the application form.