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The startup scene _is_ growing into a hub actually, although some elements (e.g. capital) are hard, others easier (hiring, advice). That feels like an honor co
by spif 15y ago
The startup scene _is_ growing into a hub actually, although some elements (e.g. capital) are hard, others easier (hiring, advice).
That feels like an honor coming from you, thanks. Have you been in Amsterdam often?
- tomh- 15y agoHow is it growing in a hub exactly? Where do all founders of successful startups hang out? There are some startups out there in Amsterdam, but there are many in other cities too (Utrecht, Delft, Enschede etc.). Amsterdam is definitely not a clear winner as location to found a startup among cities in Holland.
- ElDragonRojo 15y agoHow is it growing as a hub exactly? Did you actually read the article? ;) Luckily Appsterdam is not limited to Amsterdam. This isn't a pissing match between Dutch cities. It's about international branding. Appschede doesn't sound as good. Most people associate Delft with pottery. Americans have never heard of Utrecht. As far as most people are concerned, these places are features of Amsterdam. But if you're in the Netherlands, we're a train ride away, and you're always welcome to come up for an event or a meeting.
- eelco 15y agoUtrecht, a whole city to buy your art supplies.
- tomh- 15y agoOne initiative doesn't make it a hub. If you found a startup in Holland, there are plenty of other cities which are suitable to found. The distances are sort of close, so the reasons why you HQ your startup in the valley are not exactly applicable to Amsterdam, you get the same benefits in most other big cities with talent. You are right it is not a pissing contest, but you mention exactly what Americans (or other foreigners) would think. Most foreigners don't know much about Holland and see everything as a sub-urb of Amsterdam. They don't know where the local talent is, where the good universities are, where (local) people want to live. Don't forget that Dutch people think Amsterdam is as cool as foreigners do. Don't take me wrong, Appsterdam is a cool initiative, but to me it sounds like something by foreigners, for foreigners.
- ElDragonRojo 15y agoIt's not by foreigners for foreigners. Our attendees, and our volunteers, are about half expat, half local. Appsterdam will be a benefit to App Makers around the world, and also a tremendous boon to the Netherlands.
- deleted 15y ago[deleted]
- spif 15y agoThere's Stikk (stikk.nl), de Balie, Singel 146, Rokin75, TNW crowd (incl thenextweb.com, twittercounter, paydro), de Waag and Pakhuis de Zwijger and of course Sofa just getting bought (they leave but still... ;-), not to mention all the different places where startups are renting offices together (marvia, cardcloud). I've seen quite a few awesome things (products, people and deals) in A'dam and it's only getting better.
- pg 15y agoI've only visited for real once, about 5 years ago. We borrowed a friend's apartment near the center for about a week. I don't think I've seen anywhere else where people live so well.
- renn 15y agoWe'd love to invite you over to get to know the startup scene here better. What does it take to steal PG away from YC for a day or two?
- mva 15y agoWouldn't say that hiring is easier in Amsterdam... It's always hard to get real good developers and when pusing out a job vacancy, most responses are from non Dutch developers who want to work in Amsterdam (not that is a problem).