The ScaleUp Dashboard is one of our annual research publications around scaleups in the Netherlands. In this report, we analyse the latest developments of the Dutch scaleup ecosystem up to 2019. How many scaleups are there in the Netherlands and in which sectors? Have scaleups been growing and, if so, at what pace? Most importantly, what is their impact on the economy? Download the report below to find out.
The ScaleUp Dashboard 2020 shows that:
- By the end of 2019, there were around 3,000 scaleups in the Netherlands. In total, over the last three years, they contributed to the Dutch economy with 232,000 FTE jobs.
- The growth in the number of scaleups in the Netherlands came to a standstill, already before the outbreak of the Coronacrisis.
- Fewer startups are growing into scaleups than in previous years. Slightly less than 10 percent (9.7 percent) of the Dutch scaleups are younger than 5 years old.
- Almost two thirds of scaleups are losing their growth momentum between their 5th and their 10th year, a phenomenon known as the second “Valley of Death’’.
- Scaleups are mainly located in metropolitan areas, confirming Amsterdam to be the municipality with the most fast-growing companies (350; +9%), followed by Rotterdam (120; -13%) and The Hague (70; -18%).
- Energy transition and healthcare are now the sectors with the most traction.
The ScaleUp Dashboard 2020 special edition: “Scaleups in times of crisis” shows that:
- The scaleup climate is vulnerable to crises. Looking at the financial crisis of 2008, we see a decrease in survival rate, especially young scaleups, and, more in general, the total amount of scaleups.
- Dutch scaleups are reacting proactively to the coronacrisis. Innovation is still high on the agenda, which may prove the best long-term strategy to get out of this crisis even stronger.
To download your copies in Dutch, switch to the Dutch version of this page.
“Data and insights about scaleups are crucial. Not only for generating smart policies and contemporary support programmes. But also to inspire others and to show that scaling is possible.” – Prof.dr. Justin Jansen
Research insights
ScaleUp Dashboard 2020
Scaleups, also known as fast-growing companies, play a crucial role in the Dutch economic landscape, contributing to economic growth, job creation and innovation. It is important to investigate scaleups and monitor their performance now more than ever. The fact that the number of scaleups stopped growing already before the outbreak of the Coronacrisis is concerning: this trend should be inverted if we want to ensure a fast recovery of the Dutch economy in the coming months.
Prof. Dr. Justin Jansen (Academic Director Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship and Full Professor of Corporate Entrepreneurship at Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam) leads our research into the landscape of Dutch scaleups. Download the full report here below. As a complement to this report, the Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship research team also worked on a ScaleUp Dashboard 2020 Special Edition: Scaleups in times of crisis. The report studies how scaleups can and will react to the current crisis.
To download your copies in Dutch, switch to the Dutch version of this page.
A scaleup is defined as a company with at least 10 employees that has grown by at least 20 per cent per year over a three-year period (OECD, 2016). Fast-growing companies have a proven business model and are scaling up.
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More scaleup research
At Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship, our research focuses on innovative firms, such as scaleups or fast-growing companies and startups. We often cooperate with national authorities such as ministries and development agencies (in Dutch: Ontwikkelingsmaatschappij), but also local institutions, such as regions, provinces and municipalities. Together we look at the (local) innovation ecosystem and work on a way to strengthen the scaleup climate and help innovative companies to grow further. Read below for an overview of our research projects. You can find out more about the ScaleUp Dashboard 2019 here and send an email to research@ece.nl to request earlier versions.
Fast growing companies in the Netherlands
Top 250 ScaleUps
Based on our insights from the ScaleUp Dashboard, every year we publish Top 250 Scaleups, our annual report on the 250 fastest growing companies in the Netherlands. Who’s leading the Dutch scaleup scene this year? Find out by downloading the full report here below.
Get in touch
Research team
Curious to learn more about the ScaleUp Dashboard and our research in the area of fast-growing organisations?
Get in touch with our Research Team!
E:research@ece.nl
T: +31 10 302 1331
Prof. Dr. Justin Jansen
Professor Corporate Entrepreneurship
Leonardo Fuligni
Deputy Director
Katty Hsu
Senior Researcher & Startup Facilitator
Boris de Veer
Research and Design
