Why I Moved to the Netherlands: A Startup Founder’s Journey

For three years, I’ve been on a mission to scale our startup, a digital marketing AI tool (Adsby) that’s steadily growing day by day. As any founder knows, success has many dimensions, but one key factor is the location and community around you. While online communities have provided us with invaluable support, feedback, and traffic, there’s something irreplaceable about being surrounded by a thriving, supportive ecosystem in person.

We started our journey in Turkey, a country I deeply love. However, the challenges for early-stage startups there are significant. The high cost of living, limited financial support, and high taxes can be daunting. Despite these hurdles, we persevered, but I knew we needed a change to truly level up our business and our lives.

That’s when I decided to move to the Netherlands with a startup visa. Today, I’m in Amsterdam, diving into the vibrant startup scene here. The decision wasn’t just about the business; it was about finding a community that could support and inspire us.

Why Amsterdam?

So far, Amsterdam has been an incredible experience. I’ve met many new people and am still exploring whether this will be our permanent base. The beauty of running a startup is the flexibility to work remotely and choose where to live. My primary goal was to access the European market and give our team new opportunities.
When considering a move, here are some key questions I asked myself:

Business Considerations:

• Are there governmental supports and benefits for startups?
• Is the legal and financial infrastructure well-established?
• How easy is it to establish a company?
• Is there a growing and supportive startup community?

Personal Considerations:

• Are the local people open-minded and welcoming?
• Are living costs reasonable?
• Is the social life vibrant, with good access to hobbies like sports, art, and public transportation?

The Process and Beyond

The process of moving and getting a residence permit in the Netherlands was smoother than expected. The support for startups here is remarkable, making it an ideal place for us to grow. Here’s a step-by-step guide to what we went through:

Step 1: Find Your Facilitator

First, you need to meet your facilitator. Depending on your startup vertical, there are many facilitators to choose from. The Dutch government requires you to have a facilitator to get a startup visa. You’ll need to pitch your startup to a facilitator that fits your needs. Once they accept you into their program, they become your main supporter and enabler in this process. Our facilitator is The Next Web (TNW), a well-established organization that has been incredibly helpful. It’s critical to have a facilitator who can answer all your questions and guide you through the process.

Step 2: Prepare a Detailed Business Plan

Next, you need to prepare a detailed business plan. This plan should explain why you’re doing your business and how it will benefit the Netherlands. You’ll need to submit your required documents and business plan to the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND). The process takes about eight weeks and runs smoothly if you follow the guidelines.

Step 3: Get Your Entrance Visa (MVV)

Once your application is accepted, you’ll need to get an entrance visa (MVV), depending on your country of origin. Some countries do not require this step.

Step 4: Get Your Residence Permit

After receiving your entrance visa, make your appointments with the relevant government institutions. The entire process is straightforward and can be managed online.

I can personally vouch for the effectiveness of this process. By following the instructions of your facilitator, there are no unexpected results. We’ve just started our soft-landing program with TNW, and it’s been a fantastic experience so far.

So Far, So Good!

While I’m still settling in and figuring out if Amsterdam will be our long-term home, the initial signs are promising. I’m excited to connect with other founders and share my journey to help others find their paths. Being here is not just about business; it’s about finding a place where life and work can thrive together. If you’re considering a move to level up your startup, I highly recommend exploring the options and asking yourself the critical questions above.

P.S. It’s a funny coincidence that I’m in Amsterdam now, just in time for the Euro 2024 match between Turkey and the Netherlands this Saturday. What a small world!

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions about the process. I’m here to help and share my experiences.

To all the founders and startups in Amsterdam, I’d love to meet up and chat. Coffee’s on me!