This week in Dutch tech

Friday is here, the sun is shining and it’s time for your weekly round-up of news from the Dutch tech ecosystem. 

This week saw advances in hydrogen fuel cells, a big sale for chip-equipment maker ASML, and concerns over how right-wing politics will disrupt Dutch companies’ access to tech talent. 

Our highlights have you covered, but we’d also love to hear your thoughts on the local ecosystem. Drop us a line if you want to showcase your startup, share a digital tip, or just tell us your deepest, darkest secrets.

In the meantime, let’s get to the news.

What we’re writing

• Dutch VC Capital Mills invests in German no-code startup Innoloft  
• Tilburg’s Mr. Winston raises €600K for its hospitality POS system 

What we’re reading

• Dutch tech companies voice concern at plans for tougher stance on immigration (France 24)
• Bootstrapped since inception, Dutch hydrogen fuel cell company Zepp.solutions raises €3M (Silicon Canals)
• Intel secures ASML’s high-NA EUV kits over rivals (The Elec)  
• Netflix is increasing subscription prices in the Netherlands for the first time since 2021 (AD)
• Apple maps expands cycling routes for bike-centric Netherlands (Tech Times)

Dutch startup of the week: LeydenJar

Lithium-ion batteries have transformed everything from consumer electronics to EVs and energy storage. But to power the next wave of tech — from planes to smartphones — they need to get denser.

LeydenJar has found a way to replace the graphite anodes found in most lithium-ion cells with silicon ones. 

Silicon anodes can store 10 times more lithium ions. That means denser batteries that last longer. 

The company has raised a healthy €100mn in funding to date. It also recently announced plans to build its first industrial-scale factory, due to open in 2026.

Read more here about how LeydenJar plans to build cheaper, better, and more sustainable battery tech. 

TNW Conference speaker to watch

Each week one of our writers will share a top tip for TNW Conference. Today’s pick comes from our editor Linnea Ahlgren:

One of the speakers I am really looking forward to hearing from this year is Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) researcher Aliya Grig.  

Her research integrates principles from consciousness studies, neuroscience, and cognitive science to create more advanced and adaptable AI systems. Grig is also the founder of Evolwe AI, a startup that claims to be building artificial intelligence “closest to humans in terms of providing empathy, reasoning, and cognitive skills.”

As anyone who has listened to the TNW podcast on occasion will know, I am incredibly fascinated by the philosophy of consciousness and the mind — in fact, this is partly what awakened my interest in AI.

And as productive and efficiency-enhancing as large language models might be, I do not believe that they will lead us to AGI. Human intelligence and cognition arise from interactions and processes that are far more complex than such systems.

As such, I am eager to hear Grig’s perspective on what features she believes AI systems need to advance toward AGI. Additionally, as the session title suggests, what kinds of ethical frameworks and safeguards need to be implemented before we achieve AGI, who should decide what these should be, and who should be responsible for unethical behaviour or features in AI systems?

Aliya Grig has also established The Cosmos City, an innovative hub for space tech startups located in Los Angeles, and has over 15 years of experience in launching and successfully exiting startups in the fields of renewable energy and space tech.

During a panel at TNW Conference next month, Grig will discuss “Humanism: The Philosophical Debate for AI Ethics.”

That’s all for this week’s round-up. Until next Friday, tot ziens!

As we count down to TNW conference in Amsterdam on June 20 and 21, we’re ramping up our coverage of the Dutch IT sector. If you’re interested in attending the tech festival, we’ve got a special offer for our readers. At the ticket checkout, use the code TNWXMEDIA to get 30% off your business pass, investor pass, or startup packages (Bootstrap and Scaleup).