Facilitators and Requirements

What is a facilitator?

A facilitator is effectively a mentor with a more official role. The facilitator must have a minimum of two years experience in guiding start-ups and must agree to a specific plan for your start-up. This means that their support is tailored to the sector your business is in (e.g. operational management, marketing or investment acquisition, or anything else).​ Facilitators are accredited and recognised by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO).

A list of other RVO-accredited facilitators in the Netherlands is available here.

But, if you are thinking of starting a start-up in the Northern Netherlands, you can just head to Start Up Visa and they will help you take care of everything!

For navigating the startup ecosystem, connecting, inspiring events and support check out Founded in Friesland and Founded in Groningen.

Requirements for start ups from abroad in the Netherlands

•  Collaboration with a facilitator​ (this must be enshrined in a signed document)
•  A step-by-step business plan
•  Registration of both the entrepreneur and the facilitator in the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (Kamer van Koophandel)
•  Demonstrated financial means to live and reside in the Netherlands​ (€1,508.22 per month (2023), including holiday allowance; The amount available must be at least 70% of the standard amount for single persons under the Minimum Wage Act. The entire 12-month’s worth must be in a Dutch bank account at the time of application).
•  A MVV (entry visa) may be required; these can usually be acquired at your local Dutch embassy. Exceptions to this are entrepreneurs with nationality from Australia, Canada, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, South Korea, UK, USA or Vatican City. If you already have an MVV, this can be transferred to a start-up permit.​

Be aware that submitting a start-up application costs €350!