1. Welcome to the
small Dutch town
where billion dollar
dreams are made
Amsterdam, baby!!

2. 2
The startup fairytale
Who said you need to move to Palo Alto?
I couldn‟t help myself. This story appeared in my newsfeed, and I just had to yield to the
temptation to „Dutchify‟ it: “Welcome to the Small California Town Where Billion-Dollars
Dreams Are Made”.
Without having to read on, it was obvious the town in question was Palo Alto. For a long
time now we‟ve been fed the startup fairytale with Palo Alto as its castle. For many
reasons (and very valid reasons at that), America provides fertile ground for
entrepreneurs sowing the seeds of startup success. And if we were to put culture,
infrastructure and the number of accelerator programs aside, the pure hype that comes
from this town is enough to give traction to any new venture.
Europe needs to take steps to catch up, and one of them is to get better at self-
promotion. So, watch out Palo Alto, welcome to Amsterdam! The Dutch capital has a few
fine attractions that you, well, don’t. (Let‟s not be prudish, we all know what we‟re talking
about…) Plus, we have a great technology and startup scene. Who says this can‟t be the
home of billion dollar dreams? TomTom and Philips sure proved the opposite!

3. 3
Central Station
 The main station (which
is being renovated as
we speak) is where
most train travellers
arrive to start their
Amsterdam journey,
hoping the Dutch
startup vibe will rub off
on them. There‟s more
to see, so hop on a
tram and get yourself
into the canal area!

4. 4
Greenwoods
 For a breakfast of
champions – think
poached eggs and
smoked salmon on
toasted muffins - try the
English tea room
Greenwoods on one of
Amsterdam‟s
picturesque canals.

5. 5
The Hub
 Office space is no
problem here. Hang out
at the Hub with other
entrepreneurs and
collaborate collectively.

6. 6
Dutch Startup Map
 Check out other
Amsterdam billion
dollar babies at Dutch
Startup Map.

7. 7
Razmataz
 Good coffee is within
cycling distance. Jot
down those tech
disruptions over a brew
at Razmataz.

8. 8
Café de Balie
 Home to the Open
Coffee Meetup, this is
where aspiring
entrepreneurs and
investors talk shop.

9. 9
Café de Doffer
 Café de Doffer may
look inconspicuous, but
this is the place to go if
you want to find out
how many hackers can
you squeeze into a
Dutch café.

10. 10
22Tracks
 The musical impetus
while we work away at
hacking is provided by
Amsterdam startup
22Tracks.

11. 11
Amsterdam Canals
 Who needs a business
lunch when you can
have a business
cruise?

12. 12
What are you waiting for?
 The billion dollar fairytale
is being rewritten. Whilst
Palto Alto has indeed
made dreams come true,
can it brag about an
authentic, newly
refurbished Royal Palace
smack in its town centre?
Didn‟t think so!