The IMEC programme

IMEC gives entrepreneurs from The Hague a head start on the international market

Are you an ambitious entrepreneur from The Hague region and do you dream of international success? Then take advantage of the unique opportunity to boost your business with IMEC (International Market Entry Coaching), a business bootcamp offered by InnovationQuarter and The Hague Business Agency.

With IMEC you will start doing business in a target market of your choice: Germany, The United Kingdom or Denmark/Sweden. Do you have a proven business case, are you successful on the Dutch market and ready for the next step?

Register until March 19 for the 2023 IMEC programme and start your international adventure in April. Send an e-mail with your contact details to Elisa and she will reach out to you asap.

SIGN UP VIA THE FORM BELOW ON THIS PAGE

IMEC: 9 months international business bootcamp

Is your SME or scale-up ready for a serious step across the border? We can help you succeed. Within nine months, the IMEC programme prepares you for business success in another country. You follow joint workshops and receive personal guidance from (country) experts: experts from InnovationQuarter, The Hague Business Agency and the knowledge partners of the country you want to expand to. This year we offer the IMEC programme for entrepreneurs who want to grow on the German, British or Danish/Swedish market. Of the three available programmes, the two markets with the most applications will go ahead. So, choose your preferred market and enrol now!

Personal support

At IMEC, we are fully committed to your international success. Our experts are ready to support you with personal advice every step of the way.

The programme starts with an intake interview in which you and a country expert determine your goals. Next, the expert will guide you with coaching and tailored support while you thoroughly research the target market and make initial contacts with potential customers or business partners. You will be assigned an export consultant who will guide and advise you for nine months.

In addition, you will attend workshops with other ambitious entrepreneurs where you will focus on cultural differences, marketing & sales and legal aspects. In this way you will increase your knowledge and skills and be able to be successful abroad independently. With IMEC you will work in nine months in a focused way towards a strategic market entry and you will have access to a large local and international network.

We successfully helped these entrepreneurs access international markets!

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Germany, Great Britain or Denmark?

Which international market will best suit your brand from The Hague? We have been successfully guiding entrepreneurs to Germany and Great Britain for several years. In 2022 we will also add Denmark. Find out the 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 of German security and Dutch boldness forms an alluring 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 determine whether you still have a chance to succeed in Germany.

In this programme, you 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 of the Netherlands. Even after Brexit, the UK still offers plenty of opportunities for Dutch entrepreneurs. However, it is crucial to prepare well. The IMEC programme helps you to remove the Brexit barriers.

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

The United Kingdom in brief:

More than 66 million inhabitants
Netherland’s Top 5 Trading Partner
A long history of trade relations
Many Dutch companies are already doing 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 determine 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, 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 short:

5.8 million inhabitants
The business language is English
A good stepping stone for 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 determine 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 guidance within the IMEC programme, our software was able to get a headstart in Germany, and a team of four people now works there.”

Thomas van den Ende, Dyflexis

“The IMEC programme is a stable 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 great thing about the IMEC programme is that you connect with entrepreneurs who are often in the same phase. The personal and proactive guidance of the NBCC was especially beneficial for us.”

Mark Brouwers, Nocto

The IMEC-programme – an overview

Within nine months, the IMEC programme offers you information and guidance on a number of key components:

Personal coaching

40 hours of individual coaching by country experts
Development of a market entry strategy
Market research
Mapping of target group in the target country
First contacts with your target group

Joint workshops

Additional benefits

What do we expect from you?

To ensure that your business succeeds abroad, we are willing to invest in you. However, to make a better commitment to the programme, we ask for a personal contribution of €1000 (IMEC alumni €1500). During the programme, you will spend approximately two days per month on the various programme components and individual coaching. In addition, we expect you to attend the collective events (6 events). To inspire other entrepreneurs, we ask you to share your experiences through interviews or short presentations.

Register now for IMEC Germany, IMEC UK or IMEC Denmark/Sweden. There is only a limited number of spots available. Of the three programmes, the two markets with the most applications will go ahead. Please note that there will be a selection interview as part of the selection process.

Registration for IMEC 2023 is now open. Sign up via the form below!

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 the ins and outs of the programme and to finalize your registration.

Elisa van Maanen-Gentzsch

Project Manager Internationalisering & Trade

Bel 06 123 670 36
Stuur een e-mail

The IMEC programme

IMEC gives entrepreneurs from The Hague a head start on the international market

IMEC: 9 months international business bootcamp

Personal support

We successfully helped these entrepreneurs access international markets!

Germany, Great Britain or Denmark?

The IMEC-programme – an overview

What do we expect from you?

Registration for IMEC 2023 is now open. Sign up via the form below!

Read more about your predecessors:

More info and registration for IMEC

Elisa van Maanen-Gentzsch

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