Dutch startup scene maintains global top 10 ranking

Amsterdam holds its position as a leader in the Dutch startup scene

Amsterdam has reaffirmed its status as a leader of the Dutch startup ecosystem, as revealed by the latest Global Startup Ecosystem Index from StartupBlink. While the Netherlands maintains a top 10 global ranking, the capital city continues to outpace domestic rivals and is carving out an increasingly influential role in fast-growing sectors like fintech, healthtech, and the energy transition.

According to the report, Amsterdam now ranks 26th globally, climbing two spots compared to last year. It remains the fifth strongest startup hub in Europe and fourth within the European Union. The Netherlands, with a respectable 26.2% growth rate, remains a European frontrunner but faces mounting pressure to stay ahead in the evolving global tech race.

With global startup activity accelerating in emerging and smaller ecosystems, the Netherlands faces both opportunities and challenges. The report notes that cities like San Francisco and Seattle are losing appeal due to rising costs and safety concerns, presenting a window for stable, well-connected hubs like Amsterdam.

Amsterdam’s sector strengths: Fintech, Energy and Foodtech

Amsterdam’s position remains strong, shown in several high-impact sectors. Fintech continues to be a crown jewel, with the city ranked 15th globally and third in the EU for financial technology innovation. But it’s the broader diversification of Amsterdam’s ecosystem that signals its future strength.

Healthtech, Energy, and Foodtech are three of the fastest-growing sectors worldwide, with Foodtech and Energy expanding by over 40% globally. This reflects Amsterdam’s established strengths in agritech, the energy transition, and climate technology. Home to innovation leaders like Growy, a vertical farm pioneer; Source.ag, which is harnessing AI for glasshouse crop yields; Watermeln, green hydrogen experts; Moonwatt, which creates renewable energy systems using batteries; and Cradle, a biotech company that uses AI to create proteins.

Read more about Amsterdam’s Tech and AI scene