Entrepreneurs from The Hague are taking the plunge in Germany and the United Kingdom

On Thursday 24 June, Alderman Saskia Bruines kicked off the International Market Entry Coaching  programme. In this nine-month programme, 15 SMEs from The Hague are coached on how to conquer the market in Germany or the United Kingdom. International market support for The Hague entrepreneurs.

Every year, ambitious SME entrepreneurs are given the opportunity to register for the programme. The selected companies receive an intensive, customised coaching programme that prepares them for international success. Through workshops and networking events organised by The Hague Business Agency, InnovationQuarter, the German-Dutch Chamber of Commerce (DNHK) and the Netherlands British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC), among others, they make the right connections and acquire insights to make their international move a success. Dennis de Wit participated in 2018 and signed up this year as well. “I was so positively surprised the last time with the personal guidance I received that I decided to participate again. The programme helps me focus, it's a big motivator. After Germany, I'm going to conquer the United Kingdom this time!” The companies that are participating in the programme are: AZRA Botanical Simplicity, Beach Stadium, Camptoo, De BeleefTV, Dutch VR, EvaQaid, Flowers of Joy, Gradyent, Nocto, Novasole, Progress, PublicSonar, Reseda Lifesciences, SeniorenTAB and Tiller.

SME deal

The project is part of the SME deal 'International business for and by entrepreneurs', implemented by InnovationQuarter and The Hague Business Agency, on behalf of the municipality of The Hague and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Change. This SME endeavour helps to strengthen The Hague's economy and the trade position of the Netherlands. The municipality of The Hague states that internationally active entrepreneurs are generally more innovative, grow faster and spend more money on research. They are also less dependent on local market developments, have greater resilience and better competitiveness. 

Alumni network

Over the past three years, the programme has helped 27 companies make the move abroad. This group of alumni confirms that besides insight, prospect and development, the most valuable benefit is the network they acquired. “That is why this year we are going to share the international entrepreneurship experience in our city on a platform that can be visited by every entrepreneur. This allows entrepreneurs with international ambitions to learn from their predecessors,” says Marijn Leijten, programme manager.

Ready to grow beyond the border?

After this edition, a new group will start next February. There is room for 40 entrepreneurs in two years. Participation in the programme is free. Are you an SME entrepreneur in The Hague region and are you ready to take your business abroad after reading this message? Contact Elisa van Maanen, Project Manager Internationalisation & Trade at e.vanmaanen@thehague.com. You can also follow the website of InnovationQuarter & The Hague & Partners

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