The government is launching an action agenda, "Building the tech champions of tomorrow." The agenda's core objective is to strengthen the ecosystem for startups and scale-ups. It will further flesh out ambitions in areas such as financing, talent, tech jobs, and growth into scale-ups. Among other things, the successful Techleap incentive program will be extended by three years, more risk-bearing capital will be made available, and a new tax scheme for employee participation will take effect on 1 January 2027.
Taking additional steps is absolutely necessary. Other countries are catching up to the Netherlands in terms of investments in research and innovation. The Netherlands recently dropped from 4th place in 2022 to 10th place in 2025 on the list of the world's most competitive economies. We also lag behind countries like the US and China when it comes to technological development. If we want to secure our earning capacity and public services in the future, we must ensure that innovative companies continue to grow here.
Building the tech champions of tomorrow
The new action agenda for startups and scale-ups aims to contribute to the development of at least ten new technology and market leaders in the Netherlands over the next ten years. Therefore, it focuses on six priorities:
- A strong ecosystem: The funding for the government's temporary, successful Techleap incentive program will be extended by three years with a renewed focus on scaling up deep tech companies. This will ensure that Techleap will continue to drive a strong ecosystem until at least 2029.
- Finding and retaining talent: A new tax scheme for employee participation is being developed, scheduled to take effect on 1 January 2027.
- Funding for growth: More risk-bearing capital will be available, such as €200 million in addition to the previous €100 million for participation in the European Tech Champions Initiative (ETCI). A €250 million Blended Finance instrument will also be established. Work is also underway to establish a national investment institution and introduce an exemption for shareholders of start-ups in Box 3.
- Translating knowledge into solutions: Translating research into companies and products faster and easier, with support for spin-offs from knowledge institutions. The government is also exploring the creation of a National Agency for Disruptive Innovation, as has proven successful abroad.
- Space to grow: Physical space for startups and scale-ups to grow is scarce. Therefore, the government has decided that the physical space for the economy must not diminish.
- Exploring the global market: Additional support is provided for international breakthroughs, such as startup missions, international events, and the extension of the ScaleNL program to the US.
Future earning capacity
This action agenda builds on the National Technology Strategy (NTS) launched in 2024 and the government's ambitions for growth companies detailed in 2023. It represents a significant step forward in improving the ecosystem for startups and scale-ups.
Want to read the action agenda yourself?
For the full message, please refer to the Dutch government website:
