Organization · Event Organizer
NL Startup Competition
NL Startup Competition is a national initiative in the Netherlands that supports early-stage startups through pitch events, workshops, and networking opportunities, focusing on sectors like social impact and renewable energy.
Overview
What NL Startup Competition does
What NL Startup Competition is
NL Startup Competition is a national initiative in the Netherlands that supports early-stage startups through pitch events, workshops, and networking opportunities, focusing on sectors like social impact and renewable energy.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports community and event host capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Event Organizer
- Structured capabilities
- Community · Event host
- Last reviewed
- April 5, 2026
Official channels
Find NL Startup Competition elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
NL Startup Competition as a community
Community overview
NL Startup Competition is a national initiative based in the Netherlands that supports and accelerates startups. The competition aims to foster entrepreneurship and innovation by providing a platform for early-stage founders to gain exposure and access to resources necessary for growth. The competition has been held for multiple editions, with the next scheduled for 2026.
Community focus
The NL Startup Competition invests in startups across three main categories: Port & Maritime, Climate & Energy, and Health & Wellbeing. These categories focus on logistics, shipping, renewable energy, climate-positive technologies, and innovations in digital health and patient-centered care.
Member value
Participants in the NL Startup Competition gain exposure, access to resources, mentorship, and opportunities to connect with potential investors. The competition also provides workshops to refine pitching skills and culminates in a finale event where startups present their ideas.
Membership
- Pricing models
- free
Format and cadence
- Modality
- in-person
- Schedule
- rolling-admissions
- Commitment
- light
Availability
- Membership state
- Accepting
- Next recorded event
- January 1, 2026
Audience and fit
- Audience
- Founders · Investors
- Benefits
- mentorship and network-access
- Program types
- community
- Selection criteria
- open
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed
- Regions
- EuropeThe Netherlands
Community activity
Events and activity
The NL Startup Competition culminates in a finale event held during the Upstream Festival, where startups pitch their ideas to a panel of judges and an audience of investors and industry experts. Additional events include workshops like 'How to Pitch' and networking opportunities through 'Speed Date'.
Notable members
Notable winners from the 2025 edition include CaseCanvas, HaptonTech, ExCulture, Powerchainger, and Aestuarium. Key jury members for the 2026 edition include Martijn Starre from Rabobank, Oscar van Veen from Port of Rotterdam, and Martine van Selm from Erasmus University Rotterdam.
Capability profile
NL Startup Competition as an event host
Event focus
The NL Startup Competition invests in startups across three main categories: Port & Maritime, Climate & Energy, and Health & Wellbeing. The initiative aims to foster entrepreneurship and innovation by providing a platform for early-stage founders to gain exposure and access to resources necessary for growth.
Format narrative
The competition includes various programs and workshops such as 'How to Pitch', designed to help startups refine their pitching skills, and 'Speed Date', an event for startups to connect with potential investors and mentors. The competition culminates in a finale event where finalists present their pitches.
Participant value
The NL Startup Competition provides invaluable mentorship, support, and visibility for startups, helping them to build real change and connect with industry experts.
Format and cadence
- Event types
- pitch-night
- Recurrence
- annual
- Modality
- in-person
- Startups can present
- Yes
Availability
- Registration state
- Accepting
- Next recorded event
- January 1, 2026
- Next event location
- Upstream Festival
Audience and fit
- Selection criteria
- open
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed
- Audience
- Founders · Investors
- Regions
- EuropeThe Netherlands
Speakers and past editions
Speakers
Key jury members for the 2026 edition include Martijn Starre from Rabobank, Oscar van Veen from Port of Rotterdam, and Martine van Selm from Erasmus University Rotterdam, among others.
Past editions
Notable winners from the 2025 edition include CaseCanvas, HaptonTech, ExCulture, Powerchainger, and Aestuarium.
Common questions
What to know about NL Startup Competition
Upseed classifies NL Startup Competition under the Event Organizer organization type. Its current public profile includes community and event host capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
April 5, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.