At CES 2025 in Las Vegas, the Netherlands received the Innovation Champion Award. This award is granted to countries excelling in entrepreneurship and technological advancement. Minister Beljaarts accepted the award on behalf of the Netherlands on January 7.
Minister Beljaarts attended CES with a Dutch delegation of numerous companies. The visit is part of a U.S. tour to promote Dutch tech companies and startups globally and to foster collaboration.
Katrien Westendorp, Startup Officer at RVO, emphasized the recognition for Dutch efforts. She stated it is an honor that RVO contributes to the success of Dutch startups.
Trade Mission Organization
RVO annually organizes a trade mission for startups and scale-ups to CES. They facilitate meetings with national and international networks. In collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Netherlands is strongly represented with 50 startups and scale-ups from various sectors this year.
The CES
CES increasingly focuses on forward-looking innovations, such as the energy transition and digital healthcare. The event attracts over 150,000 participants from 150 countries, aligning with the government’s goals to stimulate innovation.