International market support for entrepreneurs in The Hague

IMEC gives entrepreneurs in The Hague a flying start on the international market

Are you an ambitious entrepreneur from The Hague who dreams of success abroad? The Hague Business Agency and InnovationQuarter offer SMEs from the Hague region a business boot camp for a flying start on the international market: IMEC (International Market Entry Coaching). Give your business a boost and start doing business in Germany, the United Kingdom, Denmark or Belgium. We are currently working on the selection procedure for the 2022 course. Do you also want to participate in the programme that starts in March? Please contact Elisa as soon as possible.

Registration form

IMEC: 9 months of international business boot camp

If your SME from the Hague region is ready for a significant step across the border, we will be happy to help you make it a success.

The IMEC program will prepare you for business success abroad in nine months. You’ll follow joint workshops and receive personal guidance from experts from The Hague Business Agency, InnovationQuarter and the knowledge partners of your country of choice.

Personal support

We do everything we can to make your cross-border activities a success. That is why our experts are ready with personal advice to guide you through every step of the journey. Regulations, market research, financing and insurance: everything is covered. We also introduce you to relevant networks. Are you looking for business partners such as resellers, distributors or joint ventures? We are happy to provide you with our wide network and get you connected with the right people. Are you attending?

We successfully helped these entrepreneurs to get across the border!

Germany, Great Britain or Denmark?

Which international sales market will your brand from The Hague enter? We have been successfully guiding entrepreneurs to Germany and Great Britain for several years now. In 2022 we also add Denmark. Learn about the specific advantages of each country:

Conquer the hearts of the Germans

Germany has traditionally been the most important trading partner of the Netherlands and is increasingly developing into a strong innovation partner. They love the innovative and creative solutions that Dutch entrepreneurs offer. The combination between German orderliness and Dutch daring therefore forms an interesting playing field.
The German market offers plenty of opportunities in the field of ICT and cybersecurity, sustainable mobility, wind energy, transport and digitization in agriculture and healthcare.

Germany in brief:

Traditionally the most important trading partner for NL
NL/D trade volume in 2020: 172 billion euros
A strong partner in innovation
More than 83 million inhabitants
The third economy in the world
Innovative companies
Qualified and motivated employees
Excellent infrastructure
Top R&D Performance
Open border with NL

Does your product or service not fall under the above promising sectors? We are happy to help you find out whether you still have a chance to succeed in Germany.

In this programme, you will work together with the DNHK.

Boost your business with the British

The United Kingdom is an age-old economic superpower and is one of the top 5 most important export markets in the Netherlands. Even after Brexit, the UK still offers plenty of opportunities for Dutch entrepreneurs. However, it is crucial to prepare well. The IMEC process helps you to remove the Brexit barriers.

The British market offers plenty of opportunities in the fields of agro & food, high-tech systems & materials, smart mobility, life sciences & health (LSH), cleantech & energy.

The United Kingdom in brief:

More than 66 million inhabitants
Top 5 Trading Partner of NL
A long history of trade relations
Many Dutch companies already do business with British partners
Good investment climate
Minimal language barrier
Similar business culture
Highly educated, qualified and motivated people
Close by and easily accessible from the Netherlands.

Does your product or service not fall under the above promising sectors? We are happy to help you find out whether you still have a chance to succeed in the United Kingdom.

In this programme, you work together with the NBCC.

Take over the Danish market

The Danes are the friendly gatekeepers to the rest of Scandinavia. They are very similar to the Dutch in terms of mentality and way of life. That makes the step to Denmark easier than you think. Although the language takes some getting used to, luckily they speak good English.
The Danish market offers plenty of opportunities in the field of convenience products, gluten- and lactose-free products, sustainable energy, healthcare, water, sustainable construction, maritime projects and ICT.

Denmark in brief:

5.8 million inhabitants
Business language English
Good stepping stone towards other Scandinavian countries
Similar business culture
Highly educated, qualified and motivated people
Close by and easily accessible from the Netherlands.

Does your product or service not fall under the above promising sectors? We are happy to help you find out whether you still have a chance to succeed in Denmark.

“For a software developer, growth in the number of users is crucial to stay ahead. That is why we wanted to gain a foothold in Germany. Thanks in particular to the legal counselling within the IMEC process, our software was able to get off to a flying start in Germany, and a team of four people now works there.”

Thomas van den Ende, Dyflexis

“The IMEC program is a foolproof way for us to prepare for the move to the German market. It is very interesting to meet other entrepreneurs with the same kind of mission and to discover together where our opportunities lie.”

Boudewijn Roest, Marike

The IMEC program

In nine months, the IMEC program offers you information and guidance in several important areas:

Personal assistance

Developing your unique country strategy with experts
Market analysis
Marketing strategy
Legal and tax advice
Contacts with sales representatives and importers
Contacts with marketing and PR agencies

Joint Workshops

Additional Benefits

What do we expect from you?

We are happy to invest in you to ensure that your company succeeds abroad. We do ask for something in return. Participation in IMEC is free, but it takes time. You spend about two to three half-days per month on the various program components. In addition, we invite you to be present at the collective parts. To inspire other entrepreneurs in The Hague, we ask you to share your experiences through interviews or give short presentations.

IMEC 2022 starts in March

De BeleefTV helps the German elderly with interactive board games

Eighteen ambitious entrepreneurs from The Hague aim for international success.

Good signals from the German public

Do you want to successfully conquer an international market just like Seepje and Camptoo? Please contact Elisa.

Click here

More info and registration for IMEC

Are you interested in participating in IMEC? Then leave your details. Elisa will then contact you to go through all the ins and outs of the programme, and she’ll finalize your registration.

Elisa van Maanen-Gentzsch

Project Manager Internationalization & Trade

Call 06 123 670 36
Send an e-mail

IMEC events

There are no upcoming events at this time.

Our partners in The Hague

About The Hague Business Agency and InnovationQuarter

The Hague Business Agency and InnovationQuarter are carrying out the SME deal ‘international entrepreneurship for and by entrepreneurs’ on behalf of the municipality of The Hague and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate (EZK). IMEC is part of that process.

Internationally active entrepreneurs are often more innovative and spend more money on R&D. Due to the larger sales market, they are also less dependent on local market developments, have greater resilience and are more competitive. These are all important reasons to support entrepreneurs from the Hague region who have ambitions across the border.

The knowledge and international networks that we can offer entrepreneurs within the IMEC program thus contribute to both the local and international profile and the strengthening of SMEs from the Hague region.