Best Startups in Amsterdam: Driving Tech Growth

Amsterdam has become one of the most vibrant startup hubs in Europe in a very short time. With its favorable business environment, international talent pool, and access to venture capital, Amsterdam continues to attract founders, inventors, and investors from around the globe. On this page, explore the landscape of startups in the Amsterdam ecosystem, its most popular areas, top companies, and what drives the ecosystem.

Startups in Amsterdam: A Fast-Growing Ecosystem

The rise of startups in Amsterdam is no coincidence. The city provides a perfect hub for entrepreneurs who want a gateway to the European continent and yet enjoy a liberal, Anglophone environment.

Several factors make Amsterdam attractive for startups:

• Strategically located at Europe's core, perfect for logistics and export business.
• Well-developed digital infrastructure, high-speed Internet and state-of-the-art amenities.
• Startup-friendly Dutch government policies, for instance, favorable visa schemes for founders from abroad.
• An ecosystem that supports co-operation, co-work spaces, incubators and accelerators like Startup Village, TQ, and B.Amsterdam.

Moreover, the capital of the Netherlands has a liberal society that stimulates innovation and diversity, both of which are important components for being a great entrepreneur.

Discover rising startups in Amsterdam redefining innovation

Best Startups in Amsterdam for Innovation and Growth

During the rating of the best startups in Amsterdam, some companies are invariably ranked for innovation, fast development, and international recognition. They tend to be forerunners in the field of sustainability, fintech, marketplace tech, healthtech, and artificial intelligence.

These are some of the best and yet most promising Amsterdam-founded companies:

1. Picnic

An efficiently designed logistics model-based grocery delivery service. Picnic is revolutionizing the experience of grocery purchase and delivery in Dutch cities and is looking beyond that to other adjoining countries.

2. MessageBird

An end-to-end software development kit (SDK) that allows companies to connect with consumers over SMS, email, voice, and chat. Supported by significant funding rounds, MessageBird has grown on a worldwide level.

3. Mollie

One of the continent's biggest payment service providers, Mollie, provides seamless payments for small and large companies. It's a name to be reckoned with in the Dutch financial tech world.

4. Framer

From being a design tool, Framer has transformed into a powerful interactive prototyping and no-code website building tool that has gained international product teams and design agencies.

5. Zivver

A security firm that offers end-to-end private communication services for secure information, particularly for the healthcare and government sectors.

These startups are revolutionizing the region's economy while redefining the management of industries in Europe and around the world.

Meet the best startups in Amsterdam shaking up Europe’s tech scene

Top Startups in Amsterdam to Watch This Year

With Amsterdam's startup ecosystem growing, a number of new and young companies are building up steam. The top startups in Amsterdam are making waves for their disruptiveness and scaling potential.

1. Hardt Hyperloop

A transportation firm is developing a hyperloop network in Europe. Amsterdam and Delft are home to Hardt, which is making the Netherlands a hub for the transportation system of the future.

2. Dyme

An app that assists people in controlling subscriptions, averting unwanted payment plans, and economizing on autopilot. Dyme is seeing explosive growth as people demand greater financial freedom.

3. The Next Closet

An eco-friendly fashion bazaar for circular consumption. The website enables people to purchase and sell used designer clothing.

4. Dexter Energy

A clean tech company that provides artificial intelligence-driven forecasting systems for energy traders, designed to optimize green production and minimize carbon footprint.

5. Felyx

One of Amsterdam's leading mobility startups, Felyx provides electric scooter sharing and has gained a foothold in a few other Dutch cities and Belgium.

These top startups in Amsterdam reflect the city’s strength in combining technology with real-world sustainability, finance, and lifestyle innovation.

Explore top startups in Amsterdam, gaining global traction

=> Learn more: Company formation in Netherlands

Tech Startups in Amsterdam Shaping the Future

Tech startups in Amsterdam are central to Amsterdam being the capital of European innovation. Supported by massive tech events (like TNW Conference), top universities, and global tech giants with a strong presence in Amsterdam’s ecosystem, like Uber, Netflix, and Tesla, the ecosystem is poised for the future.

Interesting areas in tech gaining momentum are:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) – Start-ups such as Scyfer (acquired by Qualcomm) and BrainCreators are busy crafting AI-related solutions for logistics, finance, and regulatory compliance.
• Dusk Network is a very promising Amsterdam startup that believes in privacy-friendly digital securities infrastructure and is a crypto and blockchain project.
• HealthTech – From Amsterdam-born mobile health company SkinVision that detects skin cancer risk, Amsterdam's tech scene contributes to global innovation in healthcare.
• GreenTech – With growing significance for climate tech, Amsterdam startups are also gaining ground in urban agriculture, recycling, and green packaging.

These tech startups in Amsterdam are appealing to investors and top talent who value the open work culture and accessibility to international markets.

From AI to fintech, tech startups in Amsterdam lead the way

Startup Companies in Amsterdam Making Global Waves

Apart from early-stage ventures, a few startup companies in Amsterdam ventures have turned into scale and unicorn ventures. They are competing on international fronts while maintaining their base and main activities within the Netherlands.

Key Examples:

• Adyen: The Dutch fintech behemoth that is traded on the Euronext exchange and is known for propelling payments for Uber, Spotify, and, indeed, Facebook.
• Elastic: Elastic was founded in Amsterdam and has become a global software leader known for Elasticsearch and big data software.
• Bynder: On-platform digital asset management solutions for global brands that make marketers' content workflow easier.
• WeTransfer: Known for its ease of file-transfer service, WeTransfer has a devoted following in the creative industries.

Amsterdam's startup companies are living evidence that the Dutch capital is a stepping stone, indeed, a long-term destination for worldwide tech development.

Fast-growing startup companies in Amsterdam are worth watching

Conclusion

Startups in the Amsterdam ecosystem are one of Europe's strongest and most varied. Innovation centers, funding opportunities, and a favorable government response make Amsterdam appeal to talented technologists and entrepreneurial spirits from around the world.

Whether exploring the best startups in Amsterdam, shortlisting Amsterdam's best startups, or lead-generation for Amsterdam tech startups that are ready for funding, Amsterdam presents a balanced combination of innovation, professionalism, and scalability.

For entrepreneurs inspired by Amsterdam’s thriving startup ecosystem, establishing a business presence in the Netherlands is the first step. Offshore Company Services offers expert company formation services. From incorporation as per legal formalities to ensuring management of compliance, our specialists facilitate hassle-free and smooth entry into one of Europe's leading startup markets.