Ready to unlock new opportunities for your business in the Netherlands? Are you an Orange Corners entrepreneur and ready to discover what the Netherlands as a country and entrepreneurial ecosystem can offer you and your business? Orange Corners is organising an incoming alumni mission to the Netherlands in October 2026, that we will shape together with you.
As a programme of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Orange Corners is rooted in the Netherlands’ strong entrepreneurial culture, built on innovation, collaboration, and inclusive growth. The Netherlands is known for its open, international business environment, strong public-private partnerships, and leading ecosystems in areas such as sustainable innovation, agri-food, water, circular economy, and technology. For internationally-oriented entrepreneurs, the Netherlands also serves as a gateway to European markets, offering access to investors, knowledge institutions, and strategic partners. Read more about the Netherlands by sector here.
This mission is designed to help you actively discover how this ecosystem can contribute to your business ambitions, whether through partnerships, market entry, knowledge exchange, or investment opportunities.
The goal
The goal of this incoming mission is to support your growth as an entrepreneur by connecting you to relevant networks, knowledge, and concrete opportunities in the Netherlands.
This mission will be shaped around the motivation, preparation, and goals of the selected participants. We expect you to actively explore what the Netherlands can offer your business before applying and to further develop this during the selection process. Your preparation and motivation are key.
We want to understand:
- Why the Netherlands is relevant for your business now
- What opportunities you see (e.g. investor connections, partnerships, market entry, knowledge exchange, export readiness)
- What you want to learn, test, or validate
Your input will directly influence the design of the programme, ensuring that the experience creates real, tangible value for your business. At the same time, the insights from this incoming visit will help us better understand your needs and how the Netherlands can best support you, helping shape future missions.
What is the incoming alumni mission to the Netherlands?
Orange Corners will host a week-long, in-person programme in the Netherlands (tentative dates: 11–17 October 2026) for up to ten Orange Corners alumni entrepreneurs from different countries and sectors. The exact focus of the programme will be aligned with the profiles and goals of the selected participants.
This mission will be a combination of:
- Joint programme elements, where all participants come together for shared visits, sessions, and networking moments (including organisations such as RVO, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and HEINEKEN HQ)
- Tailor-made components, designed around your specific goals, such as targeted meetings with investors, companies, experts, or sector-specific organisations
Examples of what the programme may include:
- Investor meetings and pitch opportunities
- Knowledge echange with Dutch experts and entrepreneurs
- Exploration partnerships or pilot opportunities
- Meetings foused on internationalisation or export readiness
- Exchange with RVO (Orange Corners HQ), and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Showcase event and masterclasses with HEINEKEN at their HQ
Each participant will be actively linked to both fellow co-participants and a dedicated contactpoint from Orange Corners HQ to support you in translating the programme into concrete outcomes for your business. Through peer exchange and targeted guidance, you will continuously connect insights, meetings, and opportunities to actionable next steps.
This programme is designed to create tangible value, with a strong focus on relevance, applicability, and follow-up after the visit.
Supported by HEINEKEN
This incoming visit is made possible with the financial and in-kind support of HEINEKEN through a global partnership that was signed at the end of 2025. You can find more information about the partnership here.
Who can apply?
This is an open call for all Orange Corners alumni entrepreneurs.
We are looking for a diverse group of founders with different backgrounds, sectors, and ambitions. You can apply regardless of your business stage or geography. We especially encourage entrepreneurs in the field of sustainable innovation, agri-food, water, circular economy, and technology to apply.
What matters most is:
- A clear and compelling motivation for visiting the Netherlands at this stage of your business
- Evidence of prior research into the Dutch ecosystem and identified opportunities
- A proactive attitude towards co-creating the programme
- Openness to learning, sharing and collaborating with peers
The selection process will consist of:
- An initial selection and shortlist of candidates (see selection criteria below)
- A round of interviews (planned for 18-22 May)
Final participants will be selected by a joint committee of Orange Corners and HEINEKEN, aiming for a diverse and well-balanced group.
Read more about how your application will be evaluated here.
Eligibility criteria
- You are an Orange Corners alumni entrepreneur
- Your business is formally registered in your home country and you are working full-time on your business
- You are available for the dates of 11-17 October 2026 (please note these dates can be subject to change)
- You hold a valid passport (at least 6 months beyond travel dates)
- You are willing and able to cover visa-related costs and local transport expenses in your home country
- You have a basic level of English proficiency (B1/B2), as the programme will be conducted primarily in English.
- You are committed to investing time in preparation (market research and action planning). This means you will be available for scheduled pre-sessions with your peer participants and Orange Corners HQ, as well as for your own market research and outreach. The success of the visit will strongly depend on the time you invest in this preparation.
Costs
The main costs of participation will be covered by the organisers, including:
- International travel to and from your local airport to the Netherlands
- Accommodation during the programme (6 nights)
- Local
transport in The Netherlands (public transport) - Shared meals and activities within the official programme
Participants are responsible for:
- Visa application costs (Orange Corners will support with invitation letter)
- Local transport to/from your local airport.
- In the Netherlands: transport costs from your arrival location to your accommodation, and from your accommodation to your departure location.
- Personal expenses/pocket money.
- Any other expenses incurred by yourself that are not explicitly covered.
Interested?
Apply via the VC4A Orange Corners Alumni Platform and tell us what you’re looking for in this incoming mission to the Netherlands.
Application deadline
The deadline for applications is Sunday 10 May. Please note that completing the application will take at least one hour. You will hear by Friday 15 May whether you are invited for an interview, which will take place between 18–22 May. Please make sure to keep this week available.
For any updates, please keep an eye on our social media channels.
