The Netherlands: Small Country, Huge Innovation

February 08, 2022

People almost inevitably think about Silicon Valley when they think about technology or innovation. And for a good reason: since the 1960s, Silicon Valley has been the birthplace of some of the biggest technology ideas and brands. Today, it’s the home of three companies that play a huge role in how we live online: Apple, Meta/Facebook, and Google. 

While the U.S. has a population of 330M+ and Silicon Valley is often seen as the world’s biggest hotbed of innovation, The Netherlands is a small, but mighty country (population 17M) where innovation thrives. It’s second in the world for online connectivity – a staggering 98% of households have a broadband connection – and ranks #2 in the world (behind the U.S.) in food exports. The birthplace of WiFi, Bluetooth, and LED technology, The Netherlands was ranked first in Europe for startups and has been referred to as a potential goldmine for innovative thinkers in diverse sectors such as agtech, sustainability, medtech and health, smart mobility, and more. 

Another big difference in The Netherlands is that everyone works together to help innovation flourish. Citizens, the government, universities, tech companies, and startups all pitch in to make innovation possible.  Here’s a look at the ideas and companies that are the result: 

• Mosa Meat: Cultivated Beef: Farmed beef is the biggest polluter in the food chain. Yet, consumer demand for beef keeps growing — even in countries where beef wasn’t eaten much in the past. Mosa Meat has a solution: cultivated beef. It tastes the same as farmed beef because it is beef. It offers a means to build a sustainable planet, while giving consumers what they want. You can crave a burger and also #CraveChange.
• Nowatch: A Wearable To Stay Grounded:  Smartwatches. FitBits. Fitness trackers. So many of the available wearable technologies track what a body is doing but don’t offer a plan to calm it down. Consider Nowatch an alternative to these devices. Nowatch learns from physiology and provides insights to restore physical and mental balance. There’s no screen by design; an app helps track vitals.  The most cutting-edge feature? The Nowatch can track the release of cortisol via sweat on your wrist and help you monitor stress or anxiety before it happens.
• Dimenco: 3D Stereoscopic Monitors:  The future of 3D and virtual reality doesn’t require glasses. Dimenco has designed a “simulated reality” display with a picture that comes at viewers in 3D with incredible perspective shifts. No clunky headset is required; the camera system tracks your eyes and position and adjusts the image accordingly. 
• E-Lift: Pop-Up Charging Station: One of the drawbacks of electric cars is finding a place to charge them. E-Lift aims to change that with a “pop-up” retractable charting station equipped with four plugs. The technology is expected to hit North America soon. 
• Lalaland–Genesis Metal Model Creator: The runway as we know it is getting a makeover. Most people associate the runway with celebrities and supermodels, but Lalaland seeks to make modeling more available and inclusive. How? The company designed a “meta-model creator” that allows brands and companies to generate a virtual fashion model of any body type, hair, or skin type and size.  The model creator is powered by artificial intelligence. 

Interested in telling your innovation story? We have a long history of working with global startups from the Netherlands and many other countries. MGP has a global reach with a boutique touch. Learn how we can help tell your story to the world at hello@wearemgp.com. 

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The Netherlands: Small Country, Huge Innovation

February 08, 2022

People almost inevitably think about Silicon Valley when they think about technology or innovation. And for a good reason: since the 1960s, Silicon Valley has been the birthplace of some of the biggest technology ideas and brands. Today, it’s the home of three companies that play a huge role in how we live online: Apple, Meta/Facebook, and Google. 

While the U.S. has a population of 330M+ and Silicon Valley is often seen as the world’s biggest hotbed of innovation, The Netherlands is a small, but mighty country (population 17M) where innovation thrives. It’s second in the world for online connectivity – a staggering 98% of households have a broadband connection – and ranks #2 in the world (behind the U.S.) in food exports. The birthplace of WiFi, Bluetooth, and LED technology, The Netherlands was ranked first in Europe for startups and has been referred to as a potential goldmine for innovative thinkers in diverse sectors such as agtech, sustainability, medtech and health, smart mobility, and more. 

Another big difference in The Netherlands is that everyone works together to help innovation flourish. Citizens, the government, universities, tech companies, and startups all pitch in to make innovation possible.  Here’s a look at the ideas and companies that are the result: 

• Mosa Meat: Cultivated Beef: Farmed beef is the biggest polluter in the food chain. Yet, consumer demand for beef keeps growing — even in countries where beef wasn’t eaten much in the past. Mosa Meat has a solution: cultivated beef. It tastes the same as farmed beef because it is beef. It offers a means to build a sustainable planet, while giving consumers what they want. You can crave a burger and also #CraveChange.
• Nowatch: A Wearable To Stay Grounded:  Smartwatches. FitBits. Fitness trackers. So many of the available wearable technologies track what a body is doing but don’t offer a plan to calm it down. Consider Nowatch an alternative to these devices. Nowatch learns from physiology and provides insights to restore physical and mental balance. There’s no screen by design; an app helps track vitals.  The most cutting-edge feature? The Nowatch can track the release of cortisol via sweat on your wrist and help you monitor stress or anxiety before it happens.
• Dimenco: 3D Stereoscopic Monitors:  The future of 3D and virtual reality doesn’t require glasses. Dimenco has designed a “simulated reality” display with a picture that comes at viewers in 3D with incredible perspective shifts. No clunky headset is required; the camera system tracks your eyes and position and adjusts the image accordingly. 
• E-Lift: Pop-Up Charging Station: One of the drawbacks of electric cars is finding a place to charge them. E-Lift aims to change that with a “pop-up” retractable charting station equipped with four plugs. The technology is expected to hit North America soon. 
• Lalaland–Genesis Metal Model Creator: The runway as we know it is getting a makeover. Most people associate the runway with celebrities and supermodels, but Lalaland seeks to make modeling more available and inclusive. How? The company designed a “meta-model creator” that allows brands and companies to generate a virtual fashion model of any body type, hair, or skin type and size.  The model creator is powered by artificial intelligence. 

Interested in telling your innovation story? We have a long history of working with global startups from the Netherlands and many other countries. MGP has a global reach with a boutique touch. Learn how we can help tell your story to the world at hello@wearemgp.com.