2019 in review: PYS analyses the Dutch startup market

In the midst of organizing our 2020 resolutions, Present Your Startup will take a look back on 2019 and the global and Dutch trends that influenced the past year. Join Valerie Vallenduuk, Mike Rijkers, Lennart Freud and Samed Sökmen as they discuss FinTech, Circular economy, Aerospace and more in the entrepreneurial landscape of the world and the Netherlands.

Solutions for a faster and long-term society

Most exciting 2019’s sector?

To gather all the beautiful sustainable efforts in one word, I would say CleanTech. I take hope in observing how the reason for today’s problem is also the key to tomorrow’s survival.

Rising 2019’s sector?
Still, within sustainable concepts, the circular economy has made great leaps forward. The Dutch government has been an active participant in the development of these solutions by financing means.
Present Your Startup itself looks forward to many entries in this field while Innovate Today has full hands helping green businesses make an impact through PIM.

Work in progress sector?

Cryptocurrency

In 2019, the Dutch Central Bank proposed a throughout version of the European guideline in which it is explained how supervision will be applied. Its complexity makes profitability and competitiveness difficult for young crypto companies.

What 2019’s accomplishment are you most proud of?

Present Your Startup track was part of the American concept Global Entrepreneurship Summit which was founded by Barack Obama.

Tech, tech and more TECH

Most exciting 2019’s sector?

FinTech.

2019 has seen many new financial services focused on a more user-centered approach. Personalization proved to be a competitive advantage, allowing products to reach new customers.

Rising 2019’s sector?

Home automation.

It was amazing to see all the solutions to make our lives in and around our houses smarter. In such a fast-paced lifestyle, I believe more and more people will transform their residence into an efficient, data-driven establishment.

Work in progress sector?

Circular economy. Many of the current solutions aren’t circular but just extensions of the (linear) lifespan.

What 2019’s accomplishment are you most proud of?

The expanding of Present Your Startup to Alkmaar.

Earth and Space

Most exciting 2019’s sector?

Food sector, specifically meat replacement.

The past year registered floods of companies that produce alternatives for meat consumption. The IPO and stock price of Beyond Meat, for example, was such a turbulent ordeal. In the longer term it remains interesting to look at this sector as lab grown meat might be coming to the market soon. There are also some Dutch startups that want to secure their place in this market.

Rising 2019’s sector?

Aerospace sector.

It is becoming cheaper and cheaper to shoot objects into orbit. Examples are Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos with respectively SpaceX and Blue Origins, but even smaller and younger companies have opportunities in this field too. Our own Delft has some interesting buzz, and the European Space Agency is now running its own incubators.

Work in progress sector?

Not a sector but I am still waiting for the proper take-off of chatbots: they are still irritating, I see them being used less and less as they often do not work properly.

What 2019’s accomplishment are you most proud of?

Running my first edition of Present Your Startup Netherlands as program manager.

The last century was about the physics, and this will be about biology

Most exciting 2019’s sector?

E-mobility

The past year has had many new players in the field focusing on electric scooters, bikes, and cars. Although the concept has been introduced for a long time, people have started adopting it more and more. If I were to mention names, Amber Mobility, Felyx and Lightyear are companies to keep watch of.

Rising 2019’s sector?

Genetics.

Within BioTech, this category is showing great results. We have gone extremely far in technology these past years, but can we say the exact same in making our lives longer and healthier?
I expect governments helping genetic engineering startups in regard to R&D costs. Big news in the organ printing will come soon as well.

Work in progress sector?

With technology becoming more and more effortless to work with, there has been a proliferation of different applications and products that make advertising easier. On one side, switching costs are practically non-existent. On the other hand, innovation is stale: format and features are copy and paste of each other with different branding.

What 2019’s accomplishment are you most proud of?

Playing a role in the culture and structure of Innovate Today, our empowering company.

Comment, like and share!

Do you agree with what has been said? We look forward to your take on how much the Dutch startup ecosystem developed in 2019. Find the next networking opportunity on our event page!

Written by Steven Pango

steven@innovate.today

Links:
https://www.sprout.nl/artikel/mosa-meat-strikt-topinvesteerder-chris-sacca-en-nutreco-als-partners-crime
http://www.esa.int/Applications/Telecommunications_Integrated_Applications/Business_Incubation/ESA_Business_Incubation_Centres12
https://berk.es/2020/01/10/dutch-government-killing-crypto-startups/

Bonaire, PYS is coming this 2020!

Do you have an innovative idea that everyone should know about? Do you want to grow your business? Do you need help to make the next step with your startup? Moreover, are you looking for funding? Present Your Startup will be in 2020 in Bonaire!

If you live in Bonaire and you have a scalable and innovative startup and you want to get to the next level, we can help you with our program! Apply until February 1st at our website. Continue reading for more information about our program.

About the program

You can apply filling the form at our website until February 1st. Afterwards, we will contact you for an intake through Skype to get to know more about you and your startup. For example, we will ask you questions like what stage is your startup at, if you have ever being funded, how many people are in the team, what are your goals, what do you want to achieve and what are your expectations from PYS program.

On February 7th, we will make a selection of the best applications and if you are shortlisted, we will invite you to participate at our Academy, which will be from the 17th until the 20th February. This “Prepare Your Startup Hotel” is an intensive training, with courses on different areas like business model, finance, pitching, legal aspects of a startup and marketing. During the week, you will also have time to practice what you have learned and of course, you will meet a lot of potential investors.

After the training week, we will select the best startups based on their drivers, business plan and how they developed in “Prepare Your Startup Hotel”. These finalists will be pitching at the finals of Present Your Startup Bonaire, which will take place on February 20th!

Finally, the winner of Present Your Startup Bonaire will be selected to pitch at our final event in New York or Curacao.

If you wish to apply, follow the next steps:

1. Apply filling the simple form clicking the button down until February 1st.

2. We will contact you for an intake through Skype.

3. On February 7th, we will select a limited number of entrepreneurs to participate at our academy. For the program “Prepare Your Startup Hotel” (Academy), the normal price is 25k USD, but our partner pays for most of it. Participants only have to pay 500 USD for a hotel (4 nights in a shared room incl breakfast). If you are from Bonaire, Curacao, Aruba, Sint Maarten, Saba and St Eustatius, you only have to pay 125 USD. NB: flights (if needed) are excluded.

Written by Claudia Flores Jimenez

claudia@innovate.today

Photos by Valerie Vallenduuk

Unlikely networking places

Correct me if I am wrong.

You’ve clicked on this article because the monotonous routine of conferences has tired your soul or because you would like to enjoy meeting new minds in a relaxed environment without the business pressure.

Well, you are about to read a list of activities which will introduce you to a new way of socializing. Let’s call it Networking 2.0

Book clubs

“Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.” – Margaret Fuller

Surprised?

In the digital era, where literature can be found with two clicks, book clubs still hold value. Intellectual conversations are at the core, a location where community and discussion meet. You don’t have to worry about approaching others, it is the exact purpose of the gathering.

From swapping notes to exchanging strategies doesn’t take much.

“What if books aren’t my strong point?”

Then, you have art and cultural meetups, to each their own.

Non-profit volunteering

While finding influential people in charity galas is frequently depicted in movies and similar, little attention has been given on the benefits of putting time and effort behind a good cause. In an environment where people put their guard down, it’s easier to connect without worrying about being irritating. Volunteering brings a different range of contacts and opportunities. Joining a board, for example, can put your skills to the test and at the same time introduce you to different figures. Bonus point if it’s a movement closely related to your business.

By applying reverse engineering, you could pinpoint a specific individual and follow their cause. Sounds controversial but more efficient.

Act without greed, gain new leads.

Toastmasters

If investing your money on skills is not a problem, these reunions will give you benefits in the form of public speaking and networking. In between speeches, you will have time to foster your next business relationship and/or meet your future investor. A non-business setting for business and non-related communications can open the way to profitable exchanges.

Everywhere and at anytime

What we have listed is just a fraction of what the world can offer. The secret is to be always ready and open, you never know who the person next to you is. Spare business cards in your pocket and optimize your elevator pitch!

Do you want to meet industry experts and fellow entrepreneurs?

Be sure to check our event page for opportunities!

Written by Steven Pango

steven@innovate.today

De inschrijvingen voor Present Your Startup Alkmaar zijn nu open

Op 4 december kondigden we het al aan en werd het stokje overgedragen van Haarlem naar Alkmaar: Vanaf februari 2020 start Present Your Startup Alkmaar. De aanmeldingen voor deze editie zijn nu open!

Present Your Startup 
Stichting Present Your Startup helpt startende innovatieve ondernemers verder door middel van training en het verbinden van startups aan experts en investeerders. Het hoogtepunt van het programma is gebaseerd op de tv-programma’s Dragons’ Den en Shark Tank waarbij startups pitchen voor investeerders en ervaren ondernemers. Sinds 2014 hebben er meer dan zeshonderd startups aan het programma meegedaan in Haarlem, Curaçao en New York.

Programma Alkmaar 2020 
Startups kunnen zich tot 1 februari 2020 aanmelden via www.presentyourstartup.nl/alkmaar. Daarna volgt een vrijblijvende introductiedag op 13 februari 2020 waarbij startups meer komen te weten over het programma en kennismaken met beschikbare financieringsvormen voor startups. Deelnemers krijgen tijdens die eerste dag al direct feedback van investeerders.  

Uit de deelnemers worden maximaal 15 startups geselecteerd die deel mogen nemen aan de Prepare Your Startup Bootcamp van 2 tot 6 maart 2020. Tijdens deze 5-daagse academy worden startups door professionele trainers voorbereid op pitchen, vragen van investeerders en verdere onderhandeling. De tien beste deelnemers pitchen op 20 maart voor een groep investeerders tijdens de halve finale. De aanwezige investeerders bepalen welke vijf startups woensdag 22 april 2020 vanaf 19 uur mogen pitchen in de finale van Present Your Startup Alkmaar. 

Best3Minutes wins Present Your Startup the Netherlands 2019

Haarlem, 4 December 2019 – Best3Minutes is named as the winner of the 6th edition of Present Your Startup The Netherlands. The evening took place at the Stadsschouwburg & Philharmonie in Haarlem and was hosted by successful entrepreneur Annemarie van Gaal. Entrepreneur David Beckett, founder of Best3Minutes, impressed the panel with their solid market analysis, impressive traction and powerful dedication.

Best3Minutes is a startup founded by pitch coach David Beckett. After teaching hundreds of startup founders to pitch, he decided to set up an online learning platform to improve your pitch. The startup is on a mission to make impact by empowering the voices of entrepreneurs and change makers.

“I’m really delighted to win the competition and I love helping other people to shine on stage and to make a great pitch. I’m really happy to have had the chance to do that for myself for once. I am really happy with the result.” said David. The startup wins a trip to New York with other entrepreneurs and a training worth 6.000,- euro.

“The jury panel strongly believes that by investing in a digital solution for their training, they can easily scale their business.” said chair of the jury panel Jacqueline van den Ende. “This award is a testament to the skill, ingenuity, and vision of its creators.”

Triple ThreaT was awarded the Public Choice’s prize.

“Overall, this edition’s composition was truly diverse, ranging from social initiatives to technological and environmental products. Best3Minutes stood out thanks to their credibility and trustworthy planning” said Valerie Vallenduuk, Founder of Present Your Startup.

About Present Your Startup
The foundation helps startups to grow by organizing accelerator programs and pitch competitions. Since 2014, over 500 startups applied for the program. This year, after a packed Introduction Day, a selected number of companies experienced the benefits of the Academy. The top 5 startups pitched the 4th of December in front of a large audience. The judging line-up included Jacqueline van den Ende (Partner at Peak Capital), Ron Van Bijsterveld (Chief Technology Officer at VeliQ), Rixt Herklots (Operational Director at The Next Women), Victor van Veelen (Coach at ScaleUp Company and co-founder Friethoes), Erik Schut (informal investor).

The organization of this event has been possible thanks to our partners and sponsors.