Why Do Global Startup Enthusiasts Want to Move to Amsterdam?
Were you convinced that Amsterdam’s multiculturalism was an urban legend flowing through the inner circle of expats living in the city?
Reality Check! Your assumptions were wrong. Amsterdam is international. 35% of Amsterdam talents come from abroad. Amsterdam is not only the third largest startup city in Europe, it is also one of the most internationally minded.
Our research showed that Amsterdam actually is a top destination for international tech talents who are willing to relocate as well as to explore new working environment and mentalities.
As a matter of fact, 25% of job seekers in Amsterdam’s tech scene are citizens coming from European Union countries, such as France and Germany. They are ready to relocate in Amsterdam ASAP. 5% of other job seekers are residents from non E.U countries such as United States, Canada but also more exotic locations like Iran, Russia, Colombia or Singapore. They all embrace a similar vision of Amsterdam that they perceive as very appealing and as a city they would love to label as their new work place. In 2016, 150 nationalities are represented in Amsterdam while 22% of the total population of The Netherlands comes from abroad.
With its booming economy, nurturing entrepreneurship, great startup accelerators Rockstart and Startupbootcamp, flourishing tech scene and outstanding life quality, Amsterdam is a winner for international talents and investment funds. It is a place where tech enthusiasts dream to work and to build technology to disrupt the global establishment.
Amsterdam is dead. Long live to Amsterdam!
It seems like the old, sulphurous Amsterdam traded in its reprehensible reputation to become one of the most promising startups city in the world.
With a growing scheme of startups funded each year, more than a thousand startups are currently located in Amsterdam. The city mostly owes it to a strong commitment of the Dutch government to stimulate entrepreneurship and the relocation of global tech talents.
A Hub for Innovation
As a matter of fact, Amsterdam mainly owes its rise to Neelie Kroes a.k.a theEuropean Tsarin of the Internet, who initiated StartupDelta, which aims to “create a space where entrepreneurs stand up, start up, than scale up”.
In 2014, more than 560 million euro was invested in Dutch startups while in the first period of 2016, 37 million euro have been raised by startups. Startups already generate 41% of new employment opportunities in Amsterdam.
Amsterdam actually owns the largest eco-system for startups in Europe and serves as a home for major fast-growing tech players such as Uber, Netflix, and Optimizely.
While looking back to the young history of tech in the past decades, you will notice Amsterdam was a pioneer in the very early days. Home of Booking.com and TomTom, two major influencers in tech and innovation, the city was nurtured by this entrepreneurial vibe. From the early 90’s Amsterdam already proved its ambition to become the European hub for innovation.
Besides talent and ideas, what makes the cultural Dutch capital so attractive to talent and investors?
Amsterdam also serves home to outstanding tech oriented media such as The Next Web or StartupJuncture that feature what innovations and technology have to offer.
The city is listed as one of the worldwide capitals that hosts the most tech and innovation related events. With more than a hundred yearly tech related events such TNW Conference or the rising startup festival Uprise, Amsterdam is a “must check city” if you are willing to dive into the exciting world of tech and innovation.
Amsterdam owes its radiance to its capability to combine an edgy creativity to a strong sense of innovation. Where major European tech cities failed, Amsterdam nailed it and became a serious competitor to London and Berlin.
Multicultural, Warm, Lively & Tutti Quanti…
Friendly, lively, open minded, hip, innovative etc… Rare are those who will not enjoy Amsterdam. The innovative approach of the city translates itself in different ways (to tell you the truth so much I am myself not sure where to start).
Amsterdam is seductive at all.
When we asked our international Cocoon job-seekers why they want to move to Amsterdam to work at a startup; we received surprisingly consistent answers. No matter what your passion is, you will find a wide range of events celebrating art, tech, music, or even sustainable living. To name a few: Amsterdam Dance Events yearly attracts thousands of electronic music lovers as well as the greatest figures of the industry. Amsterdam also hosts major fashion and art trade shows such as Kipling or The Affordable Art Fair.
Amsterdam is also home to some of the best internationally known DJs and electronic music producers. It embraces all assets that define a cosmopolite and prosper metropole. Its cultural life is vibrant, the culinary scene intoxicating, the city cherishes and empowers craftsmanship. On top of this, note that nearly 90% of the local population speaks English, which eases and smoothes the social integration for new inhabitants.
Amsterdam is Human
Most importantly, Amsterdam is exponentially human and people driven. Amsterdam inhabitants live together, they work together to shape the future of their city. The city’s slogan IAmsterdam was never so true as it is in 2016.
Well known for its casual and friendly atmosphere, its lively streets, Amsterdam is perceived by the international community as a delightful place where one can combine a challenging career with a rich and balanced life quality.
Talents in other European cities are tired of commuting and are now seeking for a place where their professional expectations will meet high standards in terms of life quality. Why should you lose yourself in the tube when you can head from A to B in a short bike ride?
Hence, they highly value the northern European mentality which is based on the idea of combining a fulfilling career plan with a peaceful lifestyle. Amsterdam is the place where one can fully realize himself or herself thanks to an astonishing quality of life combined to flourishing professional opportunities. It is a small, human but vibrant city, a ‘’hub for innovation’’ according to some. Amsterdam is a place where one can combine a well balanced life, based on a meaningful and challenging career, as well as a rich and vibrant personal life.
Built on water, the city and its lovely architecture offers a graceful urban scenery. As a real ode to peace, Amsterdam’s atypical architecture is favorable to romance. Its people are warm, friendly and approachable.
Amsterdam is also clean and green. People tend not to drive, they ride a bike. As a fun fact: with 18 millions bikes located in the country, there are more bikes in The Netherlands than people, which turns Amsterdam into one of the most eco-friendly city in Europe.
Furthermore, its human size allows the city to compile the greatest assets of huge metropoles without their inconveniences. Add to this outstanding working locations as most startups, co-working spaces and startups accelerators have their office located in Amsterdam’s gorgeous canal district which allows you to enjoy a great and inspiring urban scenery while working.
Amsterdam truly enables you to combine a challenging career with a peaceful personal life. That is actually what it is all about!
Craving to explore the Dutch startup scene? Well it seems most Cocoon’s users got it all because a third of our users come from all over the world and dream to come over and to rock the amazing Dutch startup scene.
What are you waiting for to swipe for jobs on Cocoon? The hottest local startups are here, waiting to match with you!
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