What we do

Over the course of 10 weeks, the startups refine their go-to-market and fundraising strategies for future success. After successfully completing the program, the startups will receive a personal introduction to the local US ecosystem.

We now invite you to look back on the achievements of the second cohort of the ScaleNL Accelerator Program over the past 6 months. After seeing their commitment, grit and drive, we can confidently say that they are real game changers!

Selection Phase

We opened the process by working with collaborating startup networks in the Netherlands on sourcing applications. Once the opening phase is complete, our network of U.S.-based mentors is called in for their perspective. The selection committee makes the final decision by evaluating the companies based on a variety of factors. In addition to the general program requirements, some of the deciding factors included:

• US market potential
• Probability of success in the US market
• Overall assessment of the startup’s business model

After the rigorous selection process, we were then ready to welcome Carbyon, Coolgradient, DeNoize, Happitech, IBIS Power, Loop Robots, RoomRaccoon, Tapp, and Wonderflow as the second accelerator program’s cohort. You can read more about the selection process and the companies in the announcement article here. These startups are out to change the world with their innovative solutions to global challenges.

Getting the Program Started

We started with an offsite in London to immerse the teams in the local US network and experience their first deep dive into US expansion. Furthermore, the first offsite, gave the teams a chance to get to know each other while setting their ambitious goals for the program ahead.

After the kick-off, the next 6 weeks included focused sessions with top experts from the ScaleNL network. We covered a variety of topics from legal, funding, go-to-market, hiring, marketing, sales, global strategy and much more. The cohort found the “Ask Me Anything” sessions with founders who had done it before highly valuable. These sessions brought invaluable experiential advice for the startups. After weeks of training, it was time for final preparation sessions for the US trip. The focus of final preparations was to perfect pitching to a US audience and more insight on their US market.

Flagship US Business Trip

And at last, it was time to put all the US market entry training of the past weeks to practice on the other side of the Atlantic! Our hosts, the Consulate General of the Netherlands in New York and the Netherlands Innovation Network in Boston, warmly welcomed us. The program was packed with back-to-back events! Although the trip was filled with many memorable moments, some highlights include VC networking pitches, founder to founder sessions, and pitching to over 250 people during Dutch Innovation Night at CIC Venture Cafe in Boston. You can get to know our teams by watching the recorded Showcase Day and seeing their pitches.

Closing Reflections

Moving forward, to continue developing a world-class Dutch tech accelerator program supporting startups focused on US expansion, ScaleNL has expanded its local footprint. By partnering with consulates in the cities of Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami and New York, we can develop localized, diverse programs in these cities. We’ll be starting with the ScaleNL Connect: Chicago 2023 program this summer. We’ve tailored the program around IFT FIRST, a conference addressing the needs of the global food system taking place July 17-21, 2023. Applications open on Monday, April 17; follow our LinkedIn page for more information!

With this retrospective, we take this opportunity to express our gratitude to the partners who have supported our mission. Thank you: Delta Airlines, Friesland Campina, invest-NL, Palo Alto Networks, Rabobank, Wilson Sonsini, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (BZ) and all those who have contributed in any way. This would not be possible without your support! We appreciate your forward-looking vision and investment in making game-changing Dutch technology known to the world.

Thank you for reading! If you’d like to support the ScaleNL ecosystem of startups, innovators, investors and partners, submit your application here. If accepted, you’ll have access to our curated platform and the opportunity to become an active participant in our mission.

We can’t wait to see Dutch tech continue to grow across the Atlantic!

– The ScaleNL Team