The Startup Visa allows entrepreneurs from outside the EU/ EEA/ Switzerland to start an innovative company in the Netherlands. To apply for a permit, mandatory guidance from an official Facilitator is required. The IMK is officially recognized by the IND/RVO (Netherlands Enterprise Agency) as an official Facilitator for the Startup Visa program.

The Netherlands is a thriving hub for innovative startups. But launching a successful business here takes more than just a good idea – it requires a clear plan, reliable support, and deep market understanding. The IMK (The Dutch Institute for Small and Medium Enterprises) is the most experienced and committed partner in the Netherlands for building a feasible and viable enterprise in the Netherlands.

With over 100 years of experience in supporting entrepreneurs, 60+ business mentors, a vast network of experts and a track record of guiding over 2,000 companies each year, we do more than help you set up – we focus on long-term success.

Start your innovative business in the Netherlands with the IMK. From feasible idea to a viable business with expert guidance you can trust.

Who is the Startup Visa program for?

This program is for entrepreneurs/ founders who:

• Have an innovative business idea.
• Want to establish a business in the Netherlands and want to relocate to the Netherlands.
• Have a business plan and/or an MVP.
• Understand the costs and benefits involved setting up a business in Europe. Financial readiness is required.
• Want to focus on setting up a feasible and viable business.

Aiming to realize a future ready business in the Netherlands?  We’re ready to support you.

Our Approach: From Screening to Sustainable Growth

We guide you through a structured two-phase process:

Screening Phase (Up to 1 month)

We evaluate the strength and feasibility of your business idea:

• Expert review on the innovation level of your product or service, that meets the IND/RVO criteria.
• Feasibility assessment of your business concept.
• Business advice to optimize your idea and meet IND/RVO standards.
• Clear go/no-go decision to proceed with Facilitatorship.

Facilitatorship Phase (3–12 months)

As your official Facilitator, we support you in three progressive stages:

Stage 1: Application Ready

• Develop your mandatory step-by-step plan and business plan according to IND/RVO requirements with our templates and guidance.
• Individual and custom guidance to shape your business plan.
• Issuance of the official Facilitator Declaration and Facilitator Declaration Chamber of Commerce.

Stage 2: Execution Preparation

• Support in refining and completing your business- and go-to-market plans.
• Tools and checklist to prepare you for entering the Dutch market.
• IND/RVO milestone monitoring and pre-execution readiness check.
• Guidance on personal and business integration into the Dutch ecosystem.
• Matchmaking with additional services, like legal, fiscal or housing.

Stage 3: Execution & Mentoring

• Mentoring sessions twice a month to support you in executing your step-by-step and go-to-market plan.
• Business audit and advice in month 11 by an viability expert to strengthen business viability.
• Ongoing progress tracking for IND/RVO compliance.
• Facilitator Declaration upon successful milestone completion.

Why the IMK? Expert in viable enterprises

• 100+ years of experience in helping small and medium enterprises thrive.
• Supporting over 2,000 small and medium enterprises each year.
• Focus on building viable businesses and realizing sustainable income.
• Official Facilitator by Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and the Netherlands Point of Entry/ IND.
• 60+ business mentors and a broad network of experts
• Personal, structured guidance at every stage.

We believe that solid, viable businesses open the road to a longterm stay in the Netherlands. Are you ready to scale your innovative idea ?