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Most of the things you mention also apply to The Netherlands, except for possibly the tax-free computer scheme (not sure about that one). As far as I can tell we're not really all that note-worthy startup-wise. Assuming that's true, any ideas what might be the differentiating factor?

From what I understand, both Holland and Sweden are culturally similar enough that I can't immediately think of other factors that make 'us' more hostile to startups.

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It may just be me, but I have a feeling that Dutch startups have a tendency to focus on the Netherlands first, and either don’t feel the need to go global or just fail to do so.

Also, compensation. The Netherlands has a lot of good people, but they’ll leave for greener pastures.

> It may just be me, but I have a feeling that Dutch startups have a tendency to focus on the Netherlands first, and either don’t feel the need to go global or just fail to do so.

That leaves the more interesting question: why is The Netherlands different from Sweden in this regard? My impression was that The Netherlands, if anything, is more internationally-focused.

> Also, compensation. The Netherlands has a lot of good people, but they’ll leave for greener pastures.

Does Sweden pay better, taking into account cost of living? And if so, why?

(not disagreeing, btw, just more questions)

That's an interesting question, especially taking into account that I know of and worked with many computer scientists from Holland, but not from from Sweden. You would think that Holland would have the expertise to form many startups.

Obviously, there is the business side in addition to the computer science side. I don't know much about that with respect to Holland.

But one possibility is that Dutch computer scientists tend to leave Holland to work. That explains why I know of so many as an American? (e.g. I worked with Guido van Rossum and Werner Vogels advised my master's project)

That is a hard one. They only thing I could come up with off the top of my head is that Sweden a bit more consensus oriented, which could be quite good for creating commercial successes. Like for example I would say that the Netherlands has a stronger electronic music scene, but the big names are still a bit less commercial than Avicii and Swedish House Mafia. Maybe that is because between the Netherlands and its neighboring countries you have a pretty big market. While for Sweden it is Sweden and then the world.

Interesting. Generally, in conversations I've had before, the consensus-don't-stand-out aspect of Dutch (and perhaps moreso Swedish) culture is considered a bad environment for startups.

I don't think our electronic music scene is less commercial though.

The Netherlands also had rebate for personal computers, called the "PC privé plan" (Private PC plan), where bosses could give their employees tax-free computers with a maximum of about 2300 euros at the start, which was cut to 1500 euros near the end of measure. This lasted from 1997 until 2004.

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