Companies in the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area in 2009

Asia takes the lead

In 2009, after years of American dominance, Asia took the lead as the biggest source making up more than a third of all new international companies in the region. Most Asian companies setting up shop in the Amsterdam Area have their roots in India and China. They were joined by 35 firms from elsewhere in Europe and 33 from the USA.

Position as ICT hub strengthened

As for the type of organisation, the ICT sector dominates, totalling 25 percent of the new companies.

LinkedIn for example, the California-based social media network for professionals (almost 50 million users worldwide), decided to open its first local office ever this year: in the Amsterdam Area.

First choice for financial services

The second biggest sector was Financial Services with 16 percent of all newcomers, which reflects the strength of the Amsterdam Area as a financial centre even during challenging circumstances.

This is illustrated by Berlin Hyp, one of the largest real estate finance providers in Germany. The company needed to be closer to its investors and therefore opened a Benelux head office in the Amsterdam Area. Head of Office, Rogier Bos: "Amsterdam is the financial centre of the Netherlands and the Dutch real estate market is relatively stable compared to other European countries."

Home of European headquarters

The region also attracted more European Headquarters. Last year, 17 percent set up their European headquarters in the Amsterdam Area compared to 14 percent in 2008.

One of the many examples is ITA Software, Inc., a leading developer of solutions for the travel industry. ITA announced the establishment of its European regional office in the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area in September 2009.

Creative capital

In 2009, the Amsterdam Area remained a magnet for companies operating in the creative industry. The region welcomed several firms this year.

TAXI, a successful Canadian ad agency, took over a local partner in the Amsterdam Area this year to make its entry into the European market. Drawn by Amsterdam Area’s fast growing international creative industry, Paul Lavoie, co-founder of TAXI, said: "This city has the DNA to create the creative capital of Europe." Read Lavoie & Taxi's testimonial.

Exceeding expectations

As a result of the recession, it was expected that the growth in the number of international companies locating to the region would fall in 2009 as acquisition became more difficult.

However, by taking steps such as making money and manpower available to enhance contact with existing international companies in the region, amsterdam inbusiness was able to exceed expectations and attract the same amount of international companies than before the economical crisis.

Investment climate

amsterdam inbusiness is the official foreign investment agency of the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area (the city itself, plus Almere, Amstelveen and Haarlemmermeer), which have been formally working together since 1 January 2008. Further improvements to the investment climate have been made, including an extension of the services that are available to expats, development of clusters, and improvements in education.

Distribution by sector of the 105 companies locating to the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area in 2009:

26 ICT

17 Financial Services

10 Creative Industries

7 Life Sciences

7 Industry/construction

5 Electronics

5 Automotive

4 Aviation

20 Other

Distribution by function of the 105 companies locating to the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area in 2009:

49 Marketing & Sales

18 European headquarters

12 SSC, CC, Training center

6 Logistics & distribution

5 Representative Office

2 Manufacturing & Industry

1 Research & Development

12 Other

Complete overview

For an overview of all international companies (up until 2008) located in the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area please select a PDF file:
American companies

Asian companies

European companies