The Dutch startup ecosystem is buzzing with incredible opportunities this year, and if you're serious about growing your business, these events are absolute must-attends. From intimate networking sessions to massive tech festivals, the Netherlands is hosting some of Europe's greatest startup gatherings.
Whether you're a first-time founder looking for validation or a seasoned entrepreneur hunting for your next big break, these events will connect you with the right people, ideas, and opportunities to take your startup to the next level.
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1. Level Up 2025 - The Ultimate Startup Acceleration Event
Level Up 2025 takes the crown as the most comprehensive startup event happening this year. This isn't just another networking event - it's a complete business transformation experience designed specifically for ambitious entrepreneurs ready to scale.
The Level Up 2025 event in Eindhoven on September 30 at the iconic Evoluon promises to be a game-changer. You'll learn how to fine-tune your business model, discover proven team-building strategies, and perfect your investor pitch in their exclusive investor café. Plus, the clubhouse format lets you tackle real challenges with fellow entrepreneurs who actually get what you're going through.
2. TNW Conference - Europe's Premier Tech Festival
TNW Conference on June 19-20, 2025, at NDSM in Amsterdam is where Europe's tech elite gather. This isn't your typical stuffy conference - it's a festival atmosphere where serious business gets done.
The lineup is insane this year, featuring OpenAI, Hugging Face, and even the Tinder Swindler survivor sharing their stories. What sets TNW apart is its focus on connecting startups with the right investors and corporates. The event offers tailored programs specifically designed for different stages of your startup journey.
The networking opportunities are unmatched - thousands of founders, investors, and corporate innovators from across Europe will be there. If you're looking to spot the next tech unicorn or become one yourself, this is your playground.
3. DevOpsDays Amsterdam - For the Technical Crowd
Running June 18-20, 2025, at Pakhuis de Zwijger, DevOpsDays Amsterdam brings together 600 people from development, operations, QA, InfoSec, management, and leadership10. This is the 13th edition, so they've definitely figured out how to make it work.
The format is brilliant - workshop day first, then 30-minute talks in the morning followed by Ignite talks (those rapid-fire 5-minute presentations that either inspire or terrify). The Open Spaces sessions in the afternoon are where the real magic happens, letting you dive deep into whatever's actually keeping you up at night.
4. Level Up Game Development Conference - Groningen
For those in the gaming and tech space, the Level Up conference in Groningen on June 6, 2025, offers a unique perspective on game design and development. This event features industry professionals sharing insights about the rapidly growing gaming sector.
The conference includes six talks by industry professionals, game company booths showcasing current projects, and two hours of dedicated networking time. It's perfect for startups working in gaming, AR/VR, or interactive technologies.
5. Startup Village Amsterdam Events
The Startup Village Amsterdam hosts regular events throughout the year, including specialized workshops and masterclasses. Their upcoming events include finance academies, angel investing workshops, and community gatherings that provide ongoing support for the startup ecosystem.
These events are particularly valuable for their practical focus - you'll learn about term sheets, convertibles, equity structures, and investment agreements from experienced professionals.
6. Money 20/20 Europe - FinTech Focus
Money 20/20 Europe hits Amsterdam June 3-5, 2025, and if you're building anything in fintech, payments, or financial services, this is your Super Bowl9. The event attracts the biggest names in financial innovation and has become the place where new payment technologies get their first real exposure.
7. Amsterdam Tech Job Fair
The Amsterdam Tech Job Fair on June 19, 2025, isn't just about finding employees - it's about connecting with the talent ecosystem and understanding what skills are in demand. For startups, this insight is invaluable for planning your team growth.
8. JSNation and React Summit
Running June 12-16, 2025, JSNation and the React Summit (June 13-17) are perfect for tech startups building web applications. These events showcase the latest in JavaScript and React development, crucial for staying competitive in the tech space.
9. HLTH Europe 2025
HLTH Europe at RAI Amsterdam from June 16-19, 2025, focuses on health technology and digital health innovations. If your startup operates in healthtech, medtech, or digital wellness, this event connects you with investors and partners specifically interested in health innovation.
Why These Events Matter
The Dutch startup ecosystem has this unique quality - it's serious about business but doesn't take itself too seriously. These events reflect that perfectly. You'll find world-class speakers sharing stages with founders who are still figuring things out, and somehow that combination creates the most valuable conversations.
The networking here isn't the awkward business card shuffle you get at some events. People actually want to help each other succeed, maybe because the Dutch have figured out that rising tides lift all boats, or maybe it's just the influence of all that good coffee and stroopwafels.
FAQ
What makes Level Up 2025 different from other startup events?
Level Up 2025 stands out because it combines practical business acceleration with innovative tools like SANDBOX and PlayPal for idea validation. Unlike generic networking events, it focuses on actionable strategies you can implement immediately to grow your startup.
When is the best time to attend startup events as a new founder?
The sweet spot is when you have a clear business concept but haven't fully committed all your resources yet. Events like Level Up 2025 offer validation tools that can save you from costly mistakes early in your journey.
Are these events worth the investment for early-stage startups?
Absolutely, especially events like TNW Conference and Upstream Festival that offer direct access to investors and strategic partners. The connections you make often pay for the ticket price many times over.
How do I prepare for startup networking events?
Focus on your elevator pitch, bring plenty of business cards, and research attendees beforehand. Events like the Corporate x Startup Speed Dating require specific preparation for rapid-fire introductions.
What's the difference between tech conferences and startup-specific events?
Startup events like Level Up 2025 focus on business building, funding, and scaling challenges, while tech conferences like JSNation dive deep into technical implementation and development trends.
Should I attend events outside my industry sector?
Yes, cross-pollination often leads to breakthrough insights. TNW Conference brings together diverse industries, creating unexpected collaboration opportunities.
How important is timing when choosing which events to attend?
Critical. Early-stage startups benefit most from validation-focused events like those featuring SANDBOX tools, while scaling startups should prioritize investor-heavy events like Upstream Festival.
What should I expect from the networking portions of these events?
Quality over quantity. Events like Startup Village Amsterdam workshops offer structured networking that leads to meaningful business relationships rather than just collecting business cards.
Are virtual components available for these Dutch startup events?
Many events now offer hybrid formats. Leapfunder workshops provide online options for finance and angel investing education, making them accessible regardless of location.
How do I measure ROI from attending startup events?
Track specific metrics: new partnerships formed, investor meetings scheduled, and actionable insights gained. Events like Level Up 2025 provide frameworks for measuring business impact post-event.
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 3,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
