Combining cybersecurity leadership in The Hague with deep-tech expertise in Delft
ARMA Instruments is on a mission to make secure communication reliable in high-risk environments. With operations in both the Netherlands and Switzerland, the company is strengthening its presence in South Holland, operating from The Hague and Delft as it continues to develop and scale its technology.
Company origins: from vision to venture
ARMA Instruments is led by its founder Pim Donkers (CEO), renowned security specialist Joel Eriksson (CTO), and seasoned security entrepreneur Abram Schermer (CCO). The company was established to address a growing concern: the most widely used communication devices leave a lot of room for unsolicited data exposure and surveillance.
To tackle this, ARMA developed the ARMA G1, a secure phone designed to minimise those risks. By avoiding reliance on central servers and fixed identifiers, the device reduces the chances of tracking or interception. It is also built with future developments in mind, including the impact of quantum computing on data security.
ARMA’s solutions are aimed at organisations operating in sensitive or high-risk environments, where secure and reliable communication is essential. As CEO Pim Donkers put it: “Secure communication isn’t optional. It’s fundamental to protecting the individual.”
Why South Holland?
For ARMA, the region offers a strong foundation to grow. The Hague provides access to a well-established cybersecurity ecosystem, including public institutions, industry networks, and policy expertise. Delft adds a complementary layer, with its concentration of technical talent and engineering capabilities particularly around quantum technology.
This combination allows ARMA to further develop its technology while staying closely connected to the broader cybersecurity landscape in Europe. The Netherlands’ collaborative approach and focus on digital sovereignty align closely with the company’s long-term ambitions.
“We chose The Hague and Delft because of the strong cybersecurity ecosystem, access to talent, and the Netherlands’ collaborative and sovereignty-driven mindset, which aligns perfectly with our mission.”
Scaling in a supportive ecosystem
ARMA is currently in a pre-revenue phase, with its ARMA G1 being tested through proof-of-concept projects with government and enterprise clients. As the company moves towards broader market introduction, the South-Holland ecosystem plays an important role in supporting this transition.
By operating across both The Hague and Delft, ARMA benefits from access to partners, research, and talent. The company is actively exploring collaborations with government organisations, critical infrastructure providers, cybersecurity research institutions, and European technology and defence partners.
ARMA currently employs a team of specialists across the Netherlands and Europe. Over the next 12–18 months, it plans to further strengthen its engineering capabilities and expand its team, particularly in technical and business development roles.
Looking ahead: ambitions for Europe
Over the next three to five years, ARMA aims to help set a new standard for secure communication in Europe. Its focus is on making secure, privacy-first communication tools more widely adopted by governments, NGOs, and enterprises operating in sensitive environments.
At the same time, the company aims to contribute to Europe’s digital independence by helping organisations reduce reliance on external infrastructure and better protect their data.
Powered by local partners
InnovationQuarter and The Hague and Partners supported ARMA’s growth on multiple fronts: connecting the company with relevant partners, funding opportunities, and the wider cybersecurity network in the region. This has helped ARMA strengthen its position within both The Hague and Delft ecosystems.
“InnovationQuarter’s network and expertise helps ARMA navigate the Dutch market with confidence and clarity.”
Ready to land in Europe’s cyber capital?
South Holland continues to attract cybersecurity innovators looking to grow in Europe. Read more about the region, or contact us to find out how we support cybersecurity companies in launching and scaling across Europe.
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