The Netherlands has a impressive network of incubators and accelerators, which can act as facilitator for your Dutch Startup. These facilitators provide the entrepreneur with a package of support tailored to the specific needs of the startup. For example,  the facilitator can assist with operations, marketing efforts, and looking for funding solutions.

There is a full list of recognised facilitators available at the website of the Dutch government

https://english.rvo.nl/find-facilitator , but any incubator or accelerator can apply to become your Facilitator if they meet the criteria.

The procedure at the facilitators looks like this:

1. Complete the application form

2. The facilitator will decide to have a first call or not. This will be an intro call with me and the purpose is to get a better idea of the entrepreneur and what they are working on. (typically within 1 week for both facilitators). In case of B. Amsterdam, the 'jaar plan' is already important. Meaning, you should have a clear vision on what you like to achieve in the first 12 months, and how you ensure that after 12 months the company will be profitable, and be able to pay you both a fair salary. In attachment I covered this with the 5 milestones, which you should describe in detail. Especially on how to make turnover, and how you will get the visitors/sales (especially if you only consider a marketing budget of 300 EUR pm).

3. After this they discuss with the team and when it seems like a fit, they'll invite for a second call (or visit) with their startup visa coaches. This call/visit will be a more indepth look into the business plan and a chance for the mentors to meet the entrepreneur. (within 2 weeks after the first call)

4. The decision to continue with facilitation or not is made after the call/visit/interview and they will let the applicant know

Here's a description of what the facilitators are looking for:

• Your company owns intellectual property (in your case, a IT platform, for example, preferably as innovative as possible) which is a competitive advantage and allows you to grow fast;

• Ideally your founding team is complete and committed, which allows you do sales, grow the company and build the product without outside dependencies.

• You have an operational marketing plan to grow internationally;

• Ideally you are serving customers with a first version of your product or service already or expecting to do so within a couple of months;

• You have a working product or prototype;

• You agree to domicile in the Netherland, with its main address at the Facilitator and a Dutch Chamber of Commerce number.

• Ideally, The company or foreign entity is no older than 3 years and The Netherlands will be one of the first markets

• The start-up entrepreneur must have sufficient financial resources to reside and live in the Netherlands for one year. (approx. euro 14.000) More information: http://english.rvo.nl/subsidies-programmes/residence-permit-foreign-start-ups

From a financial perspective there are a few things to consider:

1.) The entity or individual needs to be able to show they have at least €14K in their bank account to prove they can support themself while here,

2.) The facilitator requires a one-time €2K program fee and is expected to physically be here regularly at the Facilitator (by using their flexi-desk and visiting for program events).

As mentioned, in case of CIC, we will waive 2K of our fees, if CIC will be actively involved in preparing your Marketing/Annual Plan, and this will save hours from the estimation that INCO has quoted. We will have to see this in practice before we can decide this.

3.) You need to pay €321 to IND to submit their application.