- The Port of Rotterdam is the largest in Europe and was, until 2002, the busiest in the world - but is now facing intense competition from Antwerp (Belgium) and Hamburg (Germany). This is of great concern to Dutch entrepreneurs, who are calling for a visionary strategy whose scope is equivalent to the famous Delta Works, a huge $5bn flood control project in the Dutch Delta.
- Bankruptcies decreased by 16% in the first half of 2015 compared to same time period in the previous year.
- Taxation as a way to stimulate jobs is being discussed. The currently low VAT tariff of 6% may be raised to 21% - an astronomical jump. Negotiations have come to a standstill. The increase would have a very big impact on entrepreneurs.
Social Entrepreneurship
- The student start up Pearltect won the Philips Innovation Award 2015 for their invention of a bracelet that emits a strong smell and a DNA-spray when its wearer is sexually assaulted. The prize award is worth €50,000 and gives a kick-start toward success. In addition to cash the prize includes international plane tickets, assistance in registering patents and creative services.
Power of Movie Stars with Money
- Gitlab, a web-based Git repository manager with a Dutch CEO, recently raised $1.5 million in seed money from movie stars Ashton Kutcher and Joe Montana among others. Customers as of July 2015 include Alibaba Group, IBM, and SpaceX.
International Expansion
- Suitsupply, a Dutch men’s clothing store started in 2000 by a 26-year old law student is expanding into China with a store in Shanghai.
- The startup ULU has received a € 500,000 investment by a Chinese investment group for further development of their invention which allows for the tracking of driver’s driving behaviour.