Starting a business in The Hague region
If you want to launch your own business, there are plenty of opportunities to do so. Most people will start out as a freelancer or zzp’er; an independent entrepreneur who runs a one-person business. The Hague region offers innovative start-ups an optimal start. The Hague Business Agency offers tailor-made advice to foreign start-ups considering to establish, relocate or expand their business. Steenworp Advisers offers free-of-charge location advice to all businesses wishing to set up, expand or relocate in The Hague Region.
Residence permit
To start your own business, you will need to have a valid residence permit, allowing you to work and live in the Netherlands. As of 2015, a new regulation makes it possible for ambitious entrepreneurs to apply for a temporary residence permit for the Netherlands. The so-called residence permit ‘scheme for start-ups’ affords ambitious entrepreneurs one year to launch an innovative business. A prerequisite is that this start-up must be guided by an experienced mentor (facilitator) that is based in the Netherlands and the product must be innovative.
Registering your business
After deciding on which legal form your business should have, you should register your business at the Dutch Chamber of Commerce. You will first have to register online, then make an appointment at their office to officially start your business.
You will need a valid ID, a recent bank statement proof of your home address, and a rental contract if you have a space designated for your business. Upon registration, you will receive proof of your company and a unique ID (KvK-nummer) which you will have to use for your outgoing mail and invoices.
In addition to registering a company, the Chamber of Commerce offers advice and information about being self-employed or running a business, or even on how to write a business plan.
Checklist
When you have decided to start your own business a new world is opening up, with a wide variety of possibilities to consider. Other than that, you will also need to observe various government and other rules. To make sure that you have a good overview of all the things you should consider when setting up a business, see our checklist on starting a business.
Support for ambitious entrepreneurs
New international start-ups launching in the Netherlands will be offered the necessary support to develop into a mature enterprise. This scenario is not only beneficial for the entrepreneur, but also creates a solid foundation for job creation and economic growth. The Netherlands is one of the five most competitive economies in the world. With excellent digital infrastructure, a broad spectrum of international businesses, and easy travelling across the country, you will have no problem connecting to your new clients.
ImpactCity The Hague
The Hague is the first ImpactCity of the world. The city is proud to be the frontrunner on an international scale when it comes down to join forces for entrepreneurship and impact to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals. The core of the global ImpactCity is ‘doing good & doing business’.
So, if you launch a start-up in The Hague, you will not be on your own. The Hague has an extensive range of facilities to support young, innovative entrepreneurs. There are regular events in the city where young entrepreneurs can inspire each other to come up with great new ideas and initiatives. Accelerator programmes like World Startup Factory also help start-ups to take their plans to the next level. And if you are looking for a housing, you may want to consider working in one of the startup hubs or collective office buildings in The Hague. Think of the New World Campus, The Hague Humanity Hub, The Hague Tech, Caballero Fabriek or Apollo 14. Here, you will meet new entrepreneurs with unique insights and passions every day.
Yes!Delft
Yes!Delft is a leading complex tech incubator in Delft. If you have a tech start-up in the fields of Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, CleanTech, MedTech, Aviation, Robotics and Complex Technology, Yes!Delft will be happy to get in contact with you. The incubator offers the right circumstances, timing, methodology, focus, an iteration mindset and connections in the form of programs and an ecosystem in order to accelerate. Yes!Delft will guide tech start-ups through the whole life cycle: pre-acceleration, acceleration and growth.
