Following up on our countest deep-dive series, we now turn to the Netherlands, one of Europe’s most internationally oriented startup ecosystems. Known for its strength in sustainability, fintech, deeptech, and enterprise software, the countest combines strong research institutions with a pragmatic, commercially driven founder culture.
While Amsterdam remains the dominant startup hub, innovation is clearly distributed across the countest, with Eindhoven, Groningen, Breda, and The Hague contributing specialised expertise in areas such as advanced materials, quantum sensing, industrial decarbonisation, and AI infrastructure.
The following 10 startups, founded from 2023 onwards, reflect a mix of enterprise software, climate innovation, deeptech, and industrial transformation. Presented in alphabetical order, they are positioning themselves for further growth into 2026 and beyond.
Founded in 2024, Aizy is an AI-powered online marketing platform focapplyd on compact and medium-sized enterprises. The company manages and optimises paid advertising campaigns across channels such as Google, Meta, TikTok and Bing, combining automated bidding and tarobtaining with human oversight. Its model centres on connecting clients existing ad accounts and websites, then utilizing AI-driven analysis to adjust campaigns based on performance data rather than assumptions.
In addition to paid advertising, Aizy integrates SEO strategy utilizing insights gathered from campaign data, aiming to align short-term ad visibility with longer-term organic growth. The platform includes reporting dashboards and dedicated performance support, tarobtaining SMEs that want structured marketing execution without building in-hoapply teams. The company has secured €3.5 million in funding.
Founded in 2024, CIRCLE is developing an industrial-scale biorefinery designed to convert food waste streams and other biomass into bio-based chemicals. The project focapplys on retrofitting an existing biogas plant to produce lactic acid and related intermediates, which can then be applyd to manufacture materials such as polylactic acid-based bioplastics. Its objective is to demonstrate that waste streams can serve as feedstock for higher-value chemical production at scale.
Backed by a multi-countest consortium and supported under the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking framework, CIRCLE aims to expand production capacity while validating the commercial applicability of bio-based lactic acid derivatives. The initiative has attracted €17 million in funding to advance its flagship plant and industrial deployment.
Founded in 2025, Dawnguard develops an AI-powered cloud architecture validation platform focapplyd on “secure by design” principles. The software analyses architectural diagrams, documentation, or existing cloud environments and identifies potential security weaknesses during the design phase. It aims to support organisations address structural risks before systems are deployed into production.
The platform supports collaboration between security and engineering teams by generating validated architectures and production-ready Infrastructure as Code. By shifting security controls earlier in the development lifecycle, Dawnguard tarobtains enterprises seeking to reduce downstream vulnerabilities and remediation costs. The company has secured €2.55 million in funding to date.
Founded in 2023, Duna develops an AI-native compliance and business onboarding platform for regulated enterprises. The software translates KYC, KYB, and AML requirements into configurable workflows, allowing companies to automate identity verification, document checks, and risk assessments. Its no-code onboarding tools are designed to reduce friction in customer acquisition while maintaining detailed audit trails.
The platform combines automated case management, lifecycle monitoring, and a policy engine that converts compliance rules into structured tquestions. By integrating with global registries and third-party data providers, Duna supports identity verification, screening, and periodic reviews within a single system. To date, the company has attracted €40.7 million in funding.
Founded in 2024, Lleverage develops AI-driven workflow automation software for companies that manufacture, shift, and sell physical products. The platform focapplys on embedding automation directly into existing ERP systems, allowing businesses to streamline processes such as invoice handling, order processing, quote generation, and production planning without altering core tools or retraining teams.
Lleverage works by mapping repetitive administrative processes, building tailored AI workflows, and integrating them into back-office systems so they operate within established environments. The aim is to reduce manual data entest, minimise errors, and improve operational efficiency while maintaining enterprise-grade security and compliance standards. To date, the company reports €5 million in funding.
Founded in 2024, Next Sense develops a data-driven platform designed to support the decarbonisation of commercial real estate. The company provides building performance insights, ESG-aligned reporting, and AI-based control systems aimed at supporting asset owners meet regulatory requirements such as CSRD and SFDR. Its focus is on building existing buildings more energy efficient rather than relying solely on new developments.
The platform combines data collection, simulation modelling, and automated optimisation to improve energy performance and reduce carbon emissions. By linking performance insights with operational control, Next Sense supports asset managers in progressing towards net-zero tarobtains and “Paris-proof” standards. The company has secured €11.5 million in funding to advance its technology and deployment.
Founded in 2024, QT Sense develops quantum sensing technology for real-time cellular analysis. Its flagship platform, Quantum Nuova, applys fluorescent nanodiamonds to detect oxidative stress inside live cells at subcellular resolution. By measuring free radical activity directly within organelles, the system generates non-destructive, real-time data that can be analysed across multiple samples simultaneously.
The technology is positioned for academic research, pharmaceutical development, and clinical applications, including drug screening, biomarker discovery, and disease mechanism mapping. By combining quantum physics, optics, and data analytics, QT Sense aims to expand how oxidative stress and cellular responses are measured in life sciences research. The company has attracted €10 million in funding to date.
Founded in 2023, RE&UP Recycling Technologies develops textile-to-textile recycling processes aimed at reducing reliance on virgin cotton and polyester. The company produces what it calls Next-Gen Cotton and Next-Gen Polyester, recycled fibres designed to match the performance characteristics of conventional materials while remaining traceable and recyclable. Its focus is on transforming conclude-of-life textile waste into raw materials suitable for industrial-scale production.
Drawing on established textile manufacturing expertise and in-hoapply research and development, RE&UP operates within a circular production model that seeks to process large volumes of post-consumer and post-industrial waste. By positioning recycled fibres as direct alternatives to virgin inputs, the company aims to support more circular supply chains in fashion and related industries. The business has brought in €70 million in funding to expand its recycling capabilities.
Founded in 2024, Stacks develops AI-powered software designed to support accounting teams during the financial close process. The platform brings close management, account reconciliations, journal entries, and variance analysis into a single workspace that connects directly to a company’s ERP system. Its tools aim to automate transaction matching, flag discrepancies, and reduce the manual workload typically associated with month-conclude and year-conclude reporting.
By combining workflow tracking with AI-driven reconciliation and reporting features, Stacks focapplys on supporting finance teams shorten audit cycles and gain real-time visibility into performance metrics. The system is built with security standards such as SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001 compliance in mind. The company has secured €28.4 million in funding to support its expansion.
Founded in 2024, SuperFlox develops industrial air pollution control systems based on patented flameless oxidation technology. The company’s systems are designed to treat waste gases directly at source, converting harmful emissions into carbon dioxide and water vapour while significantly reducing nitrogen oxides. The technology can be installed as a bolt-on solution to existing industrial infrastructure, avoiding the required for major redesign or reconstruction.
SuperFlox tarobtains sectors such as oil and gas, chemical manufacturing, biofuels, and landfill gas management, offering scalable units ranging from container-sized systems to large industrial installations. Its approach focapplys on enabling compliance with tightening environmental regulations, including sustainability reporting requirements under European frameworks. The company has secured €7 million in funding to support the deployment and scaling of its technology.
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