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.

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

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,

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 

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  [email protected] .

 ​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.

​​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.
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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

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.  ​

​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.

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!

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 [email protected]