Recap: Digital Economy Month 2025 – making the invisible more visible
The digital economy is less visible than the traditional economy. One of the main goals of this month was to increase the visibility and impact of the digital economy. These goals were fully realized. Key highlights included podcasts featuring Alderman Simons, responsible for the Port, Economy, Hospitality, and Governance. And events like TwitchCon Europe 2025, which attracted over 10,000 visitors, and Agency at Night, which drew more than 5,000 attendees.
The digital economy in Rotterdam continues to experience steady growth. This progress is supported by a powerful ecosystem of over 5,000 IT companies, ranging from startups to established enterprises. This ecosystem enables small and medium-sized enterprises in Rotterdam to fully adopt digital operations.
Learning from successful entrepreneurs
As mentioned earlier, one of the highlights was the series of insightful conversations between entrepreneurs and Alderman Simons in a three-part podcast series. Valuable insights and practical tips emerged from these discussions. A key takeaway was that successful entrepreneurs prioritize creating value and addressing customer needs, which are principles that remain essential in any business. Regardless of the technology a company employs, it must ultimately benefit the customer.
Cybersecurity continues to be a growing concern. Entrepreneurs emphasize the importance of preparing for digital disruptions and understanding their potential negative impact. Prevention continues to be the primary strategy, but if an incident occurs, it is essential to immediately reach out for professional support.
At its core, entrepreneurship is about resilience and the willingness to learn from mistakes. By embracing challenges and setbacks, entrepreneurs can further refine and strengthen their businesses. The message is clear: dive in and get started.
Events of every scale
Alongside major events, such as TwitchCon and Agency at Night, the Digital Economy Month featured a diverse and comprehensive program. See the download on this page for an overview of these events.
Two sectors stood out in particular: gaming and immersive technology. The Indigo Showcase attracted 750 international B2B visitors, all focused on game development, including a wide range of global investors. Additionally, the XR Creators Connect event hosted 160 participants. During this event, professionals, students, and international tech companies exchanged knowledge, expanded networks, and shared innovations. This initiative reinforces Rotterdam’s position as a hub for immersive technologies.
The value of collaboration
The Digital Economy Month was powered by strong partnerships, facilitated through collaboration with a diverse range of partners. For instance, TwitchCon was hosted jointly with Rotterdam Partners. Moreover, XR Creators Connect received support from various organizations, including The province of South Holland.
Educational institutions played a central role in many events. Agency at Night was developed in partnership with Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, engaging over 750 students in the student programme. Upstream was realized through strong alliances with Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, and Delft University of Technology.
The Awareness Day against Cybercrime was organised in collaboration with the Platform for Safe Entrepreneurship and the Chamber of Commerce’s entrepreneur platform.
Digital Economy Month 2026
Are you interested in contributing to the next edition of Digital Economy Month in 2026, either as an entrepreneur or organization? Do not hesitate to contact the Program Manager Digital Economy, Britt Doornekamp, at b.doornekamp@rotterdam.nl.
