7 Inventive Startups from the Netherlands
November 17th, 2016
The country is known for its windmills, tulips, and riding bicycles, but also the Netherlands (aka “Holland”) is quite active in supporting new businesses that spring up.
The startup ecosystem of the Netherlands is represented by numerous firms that operate and experiment with various ideas and directions. There are many 3D printing startups as well as companies that promote sharing economy, hardware, and e-commerce.
Check out the Dutch startups that are changing the business and personal world around us.
1. Peerby
Peerby, a startup with headquarters in Amsterdam, is one of those startups that promote the idea of collaborative consumptions or shareconomy. Its goal is to help people borrow things (for example, a ladder) from others who live nearby instead of buying those things.
Authors of the project say that most of the time, people spend their money on things they don’t use 80% of the time. Seriously, how often do you need a ladder unless you’re an electrician? Or, a contraption to dry fruit or an electric drill? Instead of buying all of those and add to the clutter of your apartment, the Peerby authors offer the users an opportunity to borrow the things they need from neighbors or people who live nearby.
READ MORE: How Sharing Economy Will Change the Business in Europe
Peerby website has a database of goods that can be borrowed and you also can search for items and get contact information of the owners. Also, you can leave a request if you need something and it’s not available yet: For example, you need a grass mower and it’s not in the database, so you leave a request, and as soon as it becomes available, you are notified about it.
The Peerby authors also took care of the owners’ security - the items they are lending to others are protected from damage or loss by insurance premium that is covered by the borrower.
Sharing is polite, economic, and efficient!
2. 3D Hubs
Need a product prototype? With 3D Hubs, it is easier than ever. 3D Hubs is a platform that brings together owners of 3D printers and those, who need such services.
Startup authors are confident in the success of such of a service because, according to statistics, the owners of 3D printers use them less than 10 hours per week. Therefore, 3D Hubs startup unites 3D printing, Internet of Things, and sharing economy areas of business.
Thanks to 3D Hubs, the Netherlands have the largest and fastest network of 3D printers setup. Over time, this system will spread throughout the rest of the world. Currently, there are over 10,000 printers connected worldwide.
Global mission of the startup authors is to grant access to 3D printing to everyone around the world without having to travel more than 10 miles from his / her home.
The way the system works is quite simple. Users get access to the printers database search. Once a printer is found, all one needs to do is to send the file for printing, select the material, colors, and delivery method. After that, you pay for the order and wait for your prototype.
3. Zazzy
The Zazzy startup also works in the field of 3D printing. Its creators have decided to combine the capabilities of 3D printing with the natural desire of every person to have something unique, a thing that no one else has - a desire that only becomes stronger when it comes to jewelry and related items.
Amsterdam-based startup helps all those who wish to create their piece of jewelry using Zazzy website. The design process takes about 5 minutes (unless you’re trying out multiple options) and the production and delivery can be from 2 to 3 weeks.
A wide range of materials is available for creating your personal pieces, such as various metals, steel, plastic, nylon, wood, and leather. 3D printed silver jewelry is another option.
Besides designing something for themselves, users can create their Zazzy and sell it online via Zazzy online store.
READ MORE: The most innovative startups in Germany
4. Spaceboxx
Need space? Get a SpaceBoxx! This startup offers temporary storage options. You can choose a plastic container of different size to store summer/winter clothes and/or large items, such as a bicycle. The cost of renting one box starts at €4/month.
SpaceBoxx customers can order a certain amount of containers and the company employees will come, bring the boxes to the home of the client and take them to the warehouse. Delivery of the containers back to the customer is possible within four hours after the request is sent via the website or mobile app.
The startup began operating in Amsterdam initially, but its authors plan to expand the geography of the business and offer the services in other major cities of the Netherlands and then in other European countries.
The success of the startup stems from the fact that many young people today don’t want to keep a lot of things at home, especially in conditions of having to rent an apartment and frequent relocations.
5. Fairphone
This Netherlands startup was named the fastest growing startup in Europe in 2015. They got the title at the TNW Conference Europe.
The Fairphone authors say they have released the so-called an “honest” smartphone - a device created with adherence to ethical norms and the principles of justice. In particular, the harmful substances were not used in production and most of the materials are the result of recycling. The companies that partner with Fairphone also provide good working conditions for their employees and do not use child labor, which is, unfortunately, still a widely used practice in the third-world countries. Fairphone, however, stresses the importance of transparent and understandable supply chain and follow it themselves.
Last year, the developers built Fairphone 2 - the second version of the smartphone, but this time the company has introduced a modular product to which the user can attach various components.
6. Framer
Creating a prototype is important for startups and businesses in general and this Amsterdam-based startup called Framer helps to solve that problem.
Framer is a framework of open-source JavaScript code for rapid prototyping that is connected with the Framer Generator. Thanks to this, users can import their layers into the traditional graphical applications such as Photoshop and Sketch, and due to this integration, the product has gained popularity.
Working with Framer is possible via the web browser or mobile apps for iOS and Android.
The tool allows to generate a website page and view it in the browser - and it takes one click! The Framer is fast and efficient, which helps to make changes and see them in almost real-time mode.
7. AliveShoes
AliveShoes is a platform that provides the technology to design shoes and either get those shoes for themselves or sell the designs, thus combining creativity with a bit of e-commerce.
The startup originated in the Netherlands, and the manufacturing is done in Italy, the capital of gorgeous footwear. One of the founders of the project was born in the family that worked in the business of footwear manufacturing for generations, and he decided to make the “club of designers and stylists” a little more open for others.
The global goal of the startup is to enable all wishing to become shoe designers to try this profession (as well as get a pair of shoes that match their outfit and personality perfectly).
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