Category: News

Partnership with Start Up Stockholm

17/2/2017

In November 2016 Start-Up Stockholm and Dutch Chamber of Commerce in Sweden signed a partnership, that has made public in early February. The objective of the partnership is to provide Start-Up entrepreneurs in Sweden with access to more international network and to assist members of the Dutch Chamber in finding their way to help when starting up their own enterprises.

The Netherlands and Amsterdam in particular are high on the list of leading start-up countries int he world. Due to the supportive business climate and eco-system up 40% of the new jobs are create by Startups in the Netherlands read more.

"We experience an influx of people in our operation with business ideas that have early growth potential and who to want to grow quickly in selected markets. We set up the partnership with the Dutch Chamber to facilitate bringing our customers in contact with a broader international network", says Wadih El-Achkar, CEO Start-Up Stockholm.

"The cooperation with Start-Up Stockholm will help to point the way for our members to the help that is available in Sweden for those starting or wanting to further develop their own business. It will also promote the exchange between two leading start-up countries in Europe" says Maarten Merckx, Chairman of the Dutch Chamber.

It is the intention to run a number of joint activities each year. The first of which was the Kick Start a Start-Up event on the 8th of February, organised together with the French and the Southern African Chamber.

For more info on Start-Up Stockholm services , check www.startupstockholm.se

Kick Start a Start Up - Stockholm

15/2/2017

On Wednesday 8 February we had joint event with the French and Southern African Chamber on the theme of Kick Start a Start Up. Over 75 attendees joined to listen to 3 presentations from Start-Up Stockholm - the largest Start-Up help organisation in Stockholm, with whom the Dutch Chamber signed a partnership on 25th January of this year,

Johanna Pihl business dev mgr at of Start-Up Stockholm gave an overview of the tremendous growth in services of the organisation. With over 4000 consulting contacts the largest in Stockholm and still growing.

An innovation is something new that customers are prepared to pay for. It should be neat and not just nice.

Patrik Lindström senior innovations advisor at Start-Up Stockholm shared thoughts on why it is so important that new businesses are not just nice, but really "neat" and the crucial importance of early market validation.

Sometimes it is just as well that you do not know everything because you would never move

Charlotta Lundin had been thinking about starting her own business for a long time because she really wanted to feel personally associated with her product. But you need to jump and from one thing comes the other. Now running three successful businesses a.o. TheLoft, Addexcite and Businesswomen.se.

Joseph Michael from Invest Stockholm, shared his thoughts on why Stockholm is such a good place to be for Start-Ups. Investors are having Stockholm on their radar, talent is gravitating to the city, the growing international diversity is stimulating innovation. Invest Stockholm is doing what it can to promote this thriving Start-Up eco system.

All in all a stimulating evening. Maybe not with all the answers but certainly with a lot of pointers! And a great networking opportunity. Check the photos to see for yourself . click to view all photos

Malmö celebrates the New Year

6/2/2017

On Friday the 21st of January we invited our members and friends to kick off the new year with two very inspiring speakers at the beautiful Wellness Room in the heart of Malmö.

As we all know, a new year is the opportunity for new challenges and new habits. We seem to be more open for novel ways of doing things and we feel positive about improving ourselves and our lives. Many of us make resolutions about ”a new, healthier me” in the beginning of the year and therefore we wanted to give you knowledge and insights that could help to actually keep those resolutions.

The guest were welcomed with bubbles, small bites and a delicious soup. Under a friendly and lighthearted atmosphere the first speaker, Rick Bjelk, an experienced physiotherapist talked to us about training and nutrition in the new year. Many interesting points were raised, including that the most common mistake is that people don’t align their goals with their current fitness regime.

“It’s simple. Just eat what your mum told you to eat”

Second up to take the stage was Jonathan Bulkeley, who had flown in from New York to share his knowledge on how you can train your brain. Jonathan is the CEO of RealMatch, a leader in online recruitment software in the U.S but also an active investor in the field of neuroscience. The last couple of years he has become a frequent speaker on brain training, mindfulness and meditation. Jonathan gave us some inspiring tips on tools you can use to train the different parts of your brain. By doing simple daily exercises you can improve your memory and emotional abilities for example. For many of us, who can’t remember names of new acquaintances or colleagues or what was on the grocery list we forgot at home, this was very positive news. Jonathan suggested that we should try the app MyBrainSolutions to see how easy it actually is to up the speed of our brain and think more positively.

These presentations opened up for very energetic and hopeful discussions among our guests. We all shared stories and views and got the opportunity to ask questions to the speakers.

All in all, it was a lovely evening to light up the otherwise quite dark January. We all left with new connections and knowledge that will help us make 2017 a great year!

Join us skating for a good cause

22/1/2017

The Dutch Chamber proudly introduces Skate4AIR, a Dutch fund-raiser for children with Cystic Fibrosis! Skate4AIR organises an ice skating challenge for the first time in Sweden, called the Skate4AIR Daylight Challenge. Together we have a put together a unique package for members and followers of the Dutch Chamber.

What is the Skate4AIR Daylight Challenge?
Are you looking for a (new) sporting challenge, you want a real battle against nature's elements and yourself, then this is your chance! Register for this skating experience on Saturday 11 February on Lake Runn.

Read more about this challenge, the organisation and the good cause at the website https://www.skate4air.nl/information-participants-daylight-challenge
and https://www.skate4air.nl/bestemming-opbrengst?locale=en.

Venue
The Skate4AIR Daylight Challenge will take place at the Runn Lake near Falun. Base camp is Framby Udde Resort: www.frambyudde.com.

Fun Program, Saturday 11 February
07.30 Departure to the start skating with the group
07.49 Sunset: Start of the Daylight Challenge
16.35 Sundown: Finish of the Daylight Challenge
19.00 Dinner at Framby Udde
21: 00 After-party at Framby Udde starts

This fun-day program includes registration for the challenge, time registration, arrangement on the ice (food & drinks), skating instructors, preparation of the ice, medical service, a medal and dinner (excluding drinks).
Costs: €95 per person. It is voluntarily to donate an amount to Skate4AIR for the research for Cystic Fibrosis
Option: It is possible to stay at the accommodation Framby Udde on Friday and/or Saturday: €67,50 per person a night (half board).
Register here: https://skate4air.typeform.com/to/cSsm5f

Donation Program, Friday 10 - Sunday 12 February
This program includes the same as the Fun Program supplemented with a Skate4AIR hoodie, participation in the winter activities on Sunday, accommodation for 2 nights (based on half board) at Framby Udde.
Costs: €375 per person. You also participate in the fund-raising for Skate4AIR. (https://www.skate4air.nl/evenement/skate4air-challenge/acties). For more details on this package or other questions concerning this event, please contact project leader Daniëlle Mouissie via challenge@skate4air.nl .

Going Digital in Fashion

24/11/2016

On the 23rd November we then finally had the Orange Table Going Digital in Fashion with over 45 people attending. Wendy Heijne shared her story about how her start up is building on new technological possibilities allowing the final customer to participate directly in the design process. Just like it was before the industrial revolution where standard size low cost confectionary was first introduced.

What was new a year and half ago, is dated today

Anna Hedlund from journalist, blogger and co-founder of Stil och Technik, Anna Zofia Rzewuska from Bird & Bird law firm’s commercial and IP practice and Sarah Pehrsdotter, a former CEO of a children’s wear company and start-up consultant, participated in the pannel and shared their (very different) perspectives.

More than half of the attendants put up their hands saying the would buy on-line and considered the possibility to tailor individual pieces extremely attractive. But there is a critical step from showing interest and the actually buying. The primary challenge of every new start-up.

Anna Hedlund pointed out that things move very fast; what was new a year and a half ago is dated today. But consumer behaviour changes more slowly. Sarah Pehrsdotter highlighted the difficult balancing between being low cost, lean and agile in the startup phase and the subsequent challenge speed to scale. More things coming according to Anna Zofia Rzewuska, amongst others 3D printing and advanced robotics in fashion. But Wendy’s challenge for now is to create more brand awareness and stimulate trial.

A great evening with a nice informal atmosphere and lots of opportunities to make new connections.

We wish Wendy every success in her new venture, but she certainly left the evening upbeat and with new ideas. To get a photo impression, click play below or view all photos at the event photo album

A warm welcome to Opticom Group!

18/11/2016

Opticom Group offers global research, consulting and communication services. Very well explained in their film which opens behind the logo.

In the coming months Opticom Group will show in a concrete way to the members of the Dutch Chamber how knowledge explains and communication changes. We are looking forward to an inspiring and close cooperation.

Please join us in a warm welcome to our new SME member!

Executive Lunch at Handelsbanken

18/11/2016

Interesting outlook on our economy at the Svenska Handelsbanken Executive Lunch

The Dutch Chamber of Commerce in Sweden is looking back on a very well-organized and highly appreciated Executive Lunch on November 14, that was hosted by the Chamber's premium member, Svenska Handelsbanken.

Mr. Stefan Nilsson (Chairman of Subsidiaries) opened the luncheon with warmly welcoming the participants, and addressing the Ambassador of the Netherlands to Sweden, H.E. Mrs. Ines Coppoolse. Mr. Anders Bouvin (Group CEO) held an inspiring speech about Handelsbanken's many differentiators and corporate values. Mr. Claes Måhlén (Chief Strategist Capital Markets) elaborated on the main geo-political events of the recent past with potential impact on the world economy. Mr. Jens Wiklund (newly appointed CEO Handelsbanken Netherlands) highlighted the bank's corporate success in the Netherlands and its further growth ambitions in this relatively new home market of the bank.

The Dutch Chamber would like to thank Svenska Handelsbanken for hosting this great event, as well as for the interesting presentations and excellent lunch at the bank's corporate headquarters.

Nordic Organic Food Fair

17/11/2016

In cooperation with the Netherlands Embassy in Copenhagen we held a successful breakfast 'meet and greet' at the Nordic Organic Food Fair in Malmö. The fair, which is the third one of its kind to be held here, saw over 30 Dutch companies represented and, of course, representatives from countries such as Greece, Spain, Estonia and many more.

Yes, we might be a little shy, but don't forget that the Swedes love the Dutch

Helpful insights into doing business in Sweden and Denmark were provided by Callette Terhaerdt from Marketlink Scandinavia and Renske Nijland from the Netherlands Embassy in Copenhagen. Magnus Dahl, Honorary Consul to the Netherlands in Malmö, was also there and shared with us his valuable observations.

Further highlights included the Purple Bee Hive stand, which was continuously busy cooking up their delicious vegetarian burgers for the masses (see the 'BeBurger' photo below, featuring Tjeerd van der Laan and his colleague) . Furthermore, the winner of the Best New Natural Food Product was a Dutch company - Tony's Chocolonely! Congratulations!

Successful Networking event in Gothenburg

16/11/2016

With inspiring speakers and more than 100 participants we look back at a successful International Business Networking event in Gothenburg, which is one of the most rapidly expanding regions in Europe, with residents, jobs and the level of investment all on the rise.

Major urban development and infrastructure projects costing 100 billion euros are also underway. This growth presents many opportunities for companies, and a key ingredient for success is attracting the best talent available – both local and international.

Business Region Göteborg in cooperation with various Chambers of Commerce and Embassies organized an inspiring event on the 10th of November, where the audience listened how Gothenburg wants to attract (foreign) companies and talent.

Inspired by excellent keynote speaker Charlotta Mellander the participants discussed how foreign companies can help with the growth ambition of Gothenburg. Charlotte Mellander is one of Sweden’s leading experts and researchers on the topics cities, talent, creativity and regional development. At the mingle a lot of new contacts were established.

Dutch companies and professionals are more than welcome to contact the new Dutch Chamber Regional Director Sari van Poelje and Daniel Malmgren de Oliveira, Business DeveloperNordics of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs to hear more about the opportunities in Gothenburg. You can reach them via info@dutchchamber.se

Int'l Business Meeting Stockholm

25/10/2016

Innovation and economic growth thrive on talent diversity

On the 25th of October over 130 representatives of the Stockholm international business community and different embassies where gathered in the 'Golden Room' at Stockholms City Hall to discuss the theme of Talent Attraction.

Talent attraction is one of the focus areas of Stockholm city as it is seen key to the continued economic development of the city, said mayor of Stockholm - Karin Wanngård - in her welcome speed. The US ambassador - Azita Raij - focussed in her keynote address on the value of diversity in gender, race, culture, background and other, comparing succes of Stockholm's Fin Tech sector (nr 1 in Europe) with its counterpart in Silicon valley.

Attendants were able to share there views on key subjects and improvement areas in a interactive session supported by real time idea generation.

At great event to meet new people and reflect on an important theme. An event organised by the Stockholm Business Region in cooperation with the other International Chambers of Commerce.

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