Selection of Publications

Research publications on entrepreneurship

On this page, you can find a selection of our research publications. Our publications vary across a wide range of topics, such as entrepreneurship, innovation, startups, scaleups and innovation ecosystems.

European Scaleup Monitor 2023

The European Scaleup Monitor 2023 sheds light on the traits and strategies of HGFs across the European scaleup ecosystem, providing valuable insights for (scaleup) entrepreneurs, governmental organisations, knowledge institutions and policymakers to address the scaleup gap.

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SHE LEADS Dashboard 2023

The SHE LEADS Dashboard 2023 dives into the key trends and themes around female entrepreneurship and puts the spotlight on 50 inspiring entrepreneurial role models leading in Social Impact, Health & Wellbeing, Tech, Scaling Up and Serial Entrepreneurship.

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ScaleUp Dashboard 2022: Once again, fewer fast-growing companies in a highly fragile Dutch landscape for high-growth

The ScaleUp Dashboard is one of our annual research publications about scaleups in the NetherlandsIn this report, we analyse the latest developments of the Dutch scaleup ecosystem up to 2021. How many scaleups are there in the Netherlands and in which sectors? Have scaleups been growing and, if so, at what pace? Most importantly, what is their impact on the economy? Download the report to find out

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Entrepreneurial and Innovation Ecosystem in the Zuid-Holland Maritime Cluster | A Study to Strengthen Regional Cooperation

Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship and DRIFT provide insights into the Entrepreneurial and Innovation Ecosystem in the Zuid-Holland Maritime Cluster in a collaborative research study to guide strategic decisions towards the sustainable future of the region. The main results and recommendations from the research are summarised below and the full report can be downloaded via the below. 

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Evaluation suretyship arrangement credits SMEs (BMKB) in the Netherlands, 2015-2020

Commissioned by the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate (EZK), this report, conducted in cooperation with Panteia, evaluates the effectiveness of the suretyship arrangement credits for small- and medium-sized enterprises (Borgstellingsregeling MKB) in the Netherlands, between 2015-2020. Based on econometric (PSM) and qualitative analyses, it finds generally positive effects of the BMKB, on both attracting credit and business performances. The report is presented to the Lower House, by Minister of EZK Adriaanses.

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SHE LEADS Dashboard 2022

As the very first edition of the SHE LEADS Dashboard, this publication aims to serve as an inspiration for future leaders and entrepreneurs by providing exposure to a range of remarkable female role models in the Netherlands. This dashboard specifically highlights 50 inspirational women who are a force to be reckoned with, who fall under the categories Serial Entrepreneurship, Scaling Up, Social Impact, Digital Transformation and Science.

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European ScaleUp Monitor 2021

The European ScaleUp Monitor 2021 is a report, in collaboration with international partners, that studies the scaleup landscape in Europe. It offers a platform that centralises European knowledge around opportunities, challenges, best-practices and other salient elements of the process of scaling-up and the emergence of scaleups in various countries as well as regional ecosystems. 

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Knowledge valorisation in ten MBO and HBO innovation campuses in the metropolitan region Rotterdam The Hague

This report provides insights into the valorisation of knowledge which requires intensive collaboration between knowledge- and education institutes, the corporate world and the government. This research, initiated by the Metrolpoolregio Rotterdam Den Haag (MRDH), provides insights into ten education institutes located in the region. 

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The voice of Dutch startups/scaleups: the impact of the DMA on scaling the platform economy

This report provides insights into the perspective of Dutch startups/scaleups in the platform economy regarding the potential implications of the Digital Markets Acts (DMA). The research study is initiated by NLdigital. 

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Scaleup Ecosystems and The Future of Mobility

This report provides a framework to understand the importance and the functioning of an ecosystem for the growth and prosperity of scaleups. The framework for the analysis of scaleup ecosystems is applied to the context of the Future of Mobility. The research study is an initiative of Deloitte.

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Study of the (cleantech) innovation ecosystem with a focus on GIST and SCALE-UP

This report presents the results of an in-depth investigation of the cleantech innovation ecosystems of Rotterdam/South-Holland and Flanders. The study, commissioned by the municipality of Rotterdam, was aimed at understanding the effectiveness of recently conducted European projects to stimulate cleantech innovation.

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Scaleup & startup monitor MRDH

This research monitors the startups and scaleups within the innovation ecosystem of the Metropolitan Region Rotterdam The Hague (MRDH), with specific insight into the progress, gaps and opportunities of the innovation ecosystem.

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European ScaleUp Monitor 2020

The European ScaleUp Monitor 2020 studies the scaleup landscape in Europe. The report centraliseexpert knowledge around opportunities, challenges, best-practices and other notable elements of scaling-up and the emergence of scaleups in European countries as well as regional ecosystems. 

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ScaleUp Dashboard 2020

The ScaleUp Dashboard is one of our annual research publications around scaleups in the NetherlandsIn this report, we analyse the latest developments of the Dutch scaleup ecosystem up to 2019

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Knowledge-intensive startups

Knowledge-intensive start-ups in the Netherlands and the universities’ entrepreneurial ecosystems

For AWTI, we investigated the critical factors that contribute to the development and growth of knowledge-intensive start-ups in the Netherlands. Specifically, the research is designed around policy implications. In other words, we first identified potential areas of improvement that could be affected by government intervention in the field of knowledge-intensive start-ups. Then, we studied the creation and enhancement of (university-centered) entrepreneurial ecosystems. Read here a summary of the main results about knowledge-intensive start-ups in the Netherlands.

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Eureka logo

Qualitative evaluation on the participation and impact on hightech start-ups from participating Eureka instruments

Together with Panteia, we conducted a qualitative evaluation for the RVO on the participation and impact on high-tech start-ups from participating in EUREKA instruments. EUREKA is a publicly-funded, intergovernmental network established in 1985 and involving 45 countries. EUREKA’s aim is to enhance European competitiveness. They do this by fostering innovation-driven entrepreneurship in Europe, between small and large industry, research institutes and universities.

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Top 250 Scaleups Insight report

Every year, the Top250 Scaleups is published in collaboration with nlgroeit. This list is based on the ScaleUp Dashboard and gives insights into which companies truly belong to the top of scale-ups.

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IE bij scaleups

Scaleups and the use of Intellectual Property

To gain more insight into the brands, models and / or patent applications of fast-growing companies in Netherlands, we conducted a research for the Netherlands Patent Office. This study provided insights into the IP applications (over the past 10 years) from scale-ups of our ScaleUp Dashboard. More specifically, we focusen on the Top250 scaleups (fast-growing companies) in our country.

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MKB financieringsmarkt

Dutch SME financing market

On behalf of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate (EZK), we researched the Dutch SME financing market. Together with research centre Dialogic and Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University we researched the extent to which the current financing instruments and Ministry’s policy still fits in with the current development and needs of the SME financing market.

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ScaleUp Dashboard

ScaleUp Dashboard 2019

The ScaleUp Dashboard is an annual research that answers various questions surrounding the phenomenon of scale-ups. How many scale-ups does the Netherlands have and what is the impact of these fast-growing organisations in terms of job creation and the Dutch economy? In collaboration with Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam, we answer these questions and map the landscape of Dutch scale-ups.

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nlgroeit onderzoek naar mentoring

The effect of mentoring for entrepreneurs

On behalf of nlgroeit we conducted a research on the effectiveness of mentoring programmes in general and specifically how nlgroeit’s mentoring programme is experienced by the participating entrepreneurs. To answer these questions, we conducted a literature study into the effects of mentoring and analyzed more mentor conversations and interviews with mentors and companies / mentees.

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Evaluatie SEED Capital regeling, Groeifaciliteit & Dutch Venture Initiative

Evaluation of multiple Dutch policy instruments

On behalf of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate (EZK) we evaluated multiple policy instruments for Dutch SMEs. In the evaluation we analysed in which extend those instruments where effective. Instruments we evaluated are the following:

  • SEED Capital regulation: focuses on Techno startups who experience difficulties on raising investments.
  • Groeifaciliteit helps companies to raise risk capital to stimulate innovative and sustainable entrepreneurship, they do this by offering guarantees on for example bank loans.
  • Dutch Venture Initiative is a fund-of-funds initiative that aims at investing in fast growing and/or innovative companies.

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Onderzoek Business Angels in Nederland

Business Angels in the Netherlands

The research ‘Business Angels in the Netherlands’ is an exploratory research in commission of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate (EZK). The goal of the research was to get insight in the nature and  size of the Dutch Business Angel market. With special attention on their role in the ecosystem of startups and Scale-ups in the Netherlands. A well-functioning capital market is vital for further stimulating and facilitating entrepreneurship in the Netherlands. Business angels, also known as wealthy (retired) entrepreneurs who not only invest in early stage companies but also use their network and experience to provide strategic guidance, make a significant contribution to the widening of the funding offer. This will reduce dependency on bank financing, improve access to capital and help startups make the next steps faster.

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Would you like to know more?

If you want more information on our publications, reach out to us on research@ece.nl