Yesterday we attended the 20th anniversary of YES!Delft, the startup ecosystem that has grown into an international hub for entrepreneurship and innovation. The anniversary was celebrated with inspiring speakers, examples of successful startups, and a forward-looking perspective on the future of innovation in the Netherlands.
One of the best-known companies that originated here is Swapfiets, now an international brand. Another example is Vincent Karremans, the current Minister of Economic Affairs, who started his own startup at YES!Delft together with TU Delft students. These stories underline the role of YES!Delft as a launchpad for entrepreneurship that creates impact on both a national and international scale.
A more recent success is Lobster Robotics, which has signed a cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Defence. Their technology was tested at Campus@Sea and they also participated in the SeaSEC Challenge Weeks hosted by Campus@Sea, where new applications were trialed in a realistic maritime environment.
Several speakers reflected on the lessons of 20 years of YES!Delft.
Constantijn van Oranje emphasized the importance of embracing the “misfits and rebels”: often these are the innovators who create the most groundbreaking startups. In his words, startups should “get out of this building as soon as possible, into the real world” – because that is where the market, competition, and capital can be found.
Rinke Zonneveld pointed out that the focus should not only be on survival, but especially on scaling up. Sometimes it is even better for companies without real growth potential not to linger on indefinitely. He also argued for a stronger giving back culture: successful companies should contribute more to the continuity of the ecosystem that helped them grow.
Eline van Beest, entrepreneur and founder of TU Delft spin-off NightBalance, spoke about “unlocking the other half of success”. According to her, the most successful startups are those that combine both feminine and masculine qualities in their teams. Success is not only about having the loudest voice or the most polished plan, but also about listening, supporting, stepping in when needed, and daring to name the “pink elephant in the room.” She stressed that making mistakes is inevitable in innovation: embrace failure, it’s part of success.
Vincent Karremans, 37 years old and now Minister of Economic Affairs, shared his story under the theme “Blood, sweat and tech.” He noted that the top five companies in the Netherlands are on average 85 years old, and expressed hope that the average age will drop in the decades ahead. He also argued for seeing Europe more as a single market rather than thinking protectionistically per country – only then can Europe compete globally.
Tim van der Hagen, Rector Magnificus of TU Delft, called for the Dutch government to invest more in universities. According to him, strengthening knowledge and research is essential for the continuity of innovative ecosystems such as YES!Delft.
A recurring theme throughout the event was that “failure is the best teacher.” Failure is part of innovation, and it is often where the most valuable lessons are learned.
The role of partners was also highlighted. The partnership between YES!Delft and Rabobank was renewed, with a particular emphasis on the Rabo Impact Fund. Through this fund, Rabobank invests in companies that contribute to major societal transitions: the energy transition, the food transition, and an inclusive society. Startups and scale-ups that create not only financial returns but also societal value can receive the support they need to scale up through this fund.
For Campus@Sea, it was inspiring to be part of this celebration. It showed the importance of connecting ecosystems, giving startups the space to grow, and at the same time building strong networks with government, investors, and knowledge institutions.
For twenty years, YES!Delft has demonstrated that it is possible to bring together talent, innovation, and entrepreneurship, and that is exactly what we at Campus@Sea also stand for.
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