NBSO Texas recently supported a scouting visit to Austin together with ScaleNL as part of a broader effort to map the opportunities for Dutch tech startups and scale-ups in key innovation hubs across Texas. The visit followed growing interest from Dutch founders in the region and provided an in-depth look at the city’s rapidly expanding ecosystem, its soft-landing infrastructure, and its strong culture of collaboration.
ScaleNL supports Dutch technology companies in their international growth by connecting them to relevant networks, programs, and capital, and by facilitating access to major innovation markets. The Austin visit offered an opportunity to explore how this approach aligns with the local landscape and how Dutch and Texan partners can strengthen each other.
A dynamic collaborative ecosystem
The program featured meetings with a wide range of public and private stakeholders who play a central role in the development of the Austin innovation environment.
Opportunity Austin provided a comprehensive overview of the regional economy and its priority sectors, as well as a demonstration of its Dealroom platform, originally developed in the Netherlands, which is used to map and support the local startup ecosystem. The session also highlighted the organization’s Soft Landing Program and its relevance for international companies entering the market.
At the City of Austin Economic Development Department, discussions focused on the practical resources available to foreign companies establishing a presence in the city, and on the complementary role the Netherlands can play as a gateway to the European market for U.S. firms.
Capital Factory offered insights into one of the most active startup communities in the United States. With more than 1,000 events annually, an in-house venture arm, and a large member base, it provides a central meeting point for founders, investors, corporates, and government. Conversations touched on dual-use technologies, the role of international partnerships, and potential connections around SXSW.
In the field of health and life sciences, Dell Medical School explored opportunities for collaboration in medtech and digital health. Topics included FDA pathways, commercialization strategies, access to investors, and the added value of close cooperation between academia and industry, areas that closely align with the Dutch innovation approach.
Experiences from Dutch companies in Texas
A number of Dutch entrepreneurs who have already established a presence in Austin shared their experiences.
At Monks, a company with Dutch roots, the scaling journey from New York and San Francisco to Austin illustrated the differences in business climate between major U.S. tech hubs and the advantages of the Texan model.
UNS Austin provided insights into building a sustainable U.S. operation and navigating the transition from first commercial traction to long-term growth.
Loop Robots demonstrated how a young company combines business development with setting up a new life in Texas, while also showcasing its autonomous UV-disinfection technology.
These conversations offered valuable, experience-based perspectives for future Dutch entrants to the market.
Innovation, Talent and International Positioning
The visit concluded with sessions at Q-Branch and DevRev.
Q-Branch convened key actors from Austin’s international startup network and highlighted the region’s strengths in sectors such as dual-use tech, consumer technology, food & beverage, and medtech.
At DevRev, the role of Austin as a hub for next-generation AI development became clear, as well as the company’s openness to knowledge exchange with international startups.
Understanding the Texan context
In addition to ecosystem meetings, attention was given to the broader cultural and economic context of Texas. A visit to the Texas State Capitol and participation in local events provided further perspective on the state’s identity, its business climate, and the factors that continue to attract companies and talent. These include the absence of state income tax, a central geographic location, relatively moderate costs, and a business-friendly regulatory environment.
Looking Ahead
The main conclusion of the visit is that Austin offers a highly collaborative environment with strong support structures for international startups. This makes it a compelling entry point to the U.S. market for Dutch companies, while also creating opportunities for Texan partners seeking access to Europe.
At the end of May, ScaleNL will return to Austin with a delegation of ten Dutch academic startups to experience the ecosystem first-hand. NBSO Texas will continue to work with partners across the state to ensure that Dutch entrepreneurs gain a full picture of the opportunities available in the different Texan regions and to facilitate meaningful connections.
