Over 500 startups supported. 83% still active or acquired. 95% with successfully closed pre-seed rounds. And perhaps most remarkable – all achieved with zero equity taken. Just genuine support for ambitious founders willing to take a leap.

When YES!Delft opened its doors in 2005, the concept of a startup incubator was still novel in the Netherlands. Yet, born next to the Delft University of Technology, it became a magnet for pioneers with ideas that were too complex, too technical, or too bold for traditional investors.

Fittingly, just inside the entrance, a quote from Steve Jobs captures that spirit: “Here’s to the crazy ones…”. Two decades later, the anniversary celebration proved just how true that motto still rings; a tribute to the visionaries who turned impossible ideas into world-changing innovations.

A Celebration 20 Years in the Making

The atmosphere inside YES!Delft was electric. More than 50 startups filled the expo floor: founders pitching, investors networking, and prototypes flashing under spotlights. It was a full-circle moment: two decades of innovation, all gathered under one roof.

Director Ras Lalmy looked ahead: “Over the next five years, we want to double what we’ve achieved, to help another 250 startups grow and scale.”

YES!Delft started as a hub for those who didn’t fit the mold. Today, it’s the beating heart of South Holland’s innovation ecosystem, connecting talent, knowledge, and industry to shape the next generation of tech champions.

Shaping Tomorrow’s Tech Champions

The panel discussion featuring Constantijn van Oranje, Rinke Zonneveld, David Cerda Salzmann, and Josefien Groot captured the essence of the day: the future belongs to those willing to think bigger.

“Get out of this building as soon as possible – into the real world,” urged Constantijn van Oranje, reminding founders that true innovation doesn’t live in labs, but in the market. He also called for more space for the “misfits and rebels”, the ones who push boundaries and drive real change.

Rinke Zonneveld highlighted the need for ambition over comfort: “The goal shouldn’t just be to survive – it’s to scale. And those who succeed should give back to the ecosystem that helped them grow.”

Josefien Groot, co-founder of Qlayers, echoed that sentiment with a smile. “We share human capital,” she said. “People move between startups, carrying experience with them. That’s what keeps the ecosystem alive.”

The consensus was clear: the Netherlands has the talent, technology, and drive, but it needs more daring capital and a touch more boldness to become Europe’s deep-tech powerhouse.

Stories That Inspire: Partnership and Purpose

The 20-year partnership between YES!Delft and Rabobank took center stage – a story of shared belief in founders who want to change the world. Together, they’ve proven that real impact happens when innovation meets support.

Through the Rabo Impact Fund, Rabobank invests in companies tackling societal transitions, from sustainability to digitalization. During the event, Fluxthor, a Delft-based company building ultra-precise motion systems, received its grant on stage for its technology’s potential to revolutionize energy-efficient manufacturing.

Entrepreneur and YES!Delft alumna Eline van Beest added a personal dimension to the celebration. In her talk, “Unlocking the Other Half of Success,” she reminded founders that success isn’t just about hustle and confidence – it’s about balance, empathy, and the courage to fail forward. “Innovation means making mistakes,” she said. “It’s part of the process.”

From university halls to boardrooms, collaboration remained a recurring theme. Tim van der Hagen (TU Delft) and Annelien Bredenoord (Erasmus University Rotterdam) emphasized that South Holland’s ecosystem, with its world-class technical and business education, is uniquely positioned to lead Europe’s next innovation wave. Both urged for stronger government investment in research and education to secure that edge.

Blood, Sweat, and Tech

Newly appointed Minister of Economic Affairs Vincent Karremans closed the plenary with a challenge. Under the theme “Blood, Sweat, and Tech,” he reflected on the resilience of Dutch entrepreneurship.

“The top five companies in the Netherlands are on average 85 years old,” he said. “Let’s make sure the next generation builds companies that redefine that number.” He also called for a more unified European mindset: “If we keep thinking nationally, we’ll fall behind. Only by seeing Europe as one market can we compete globally.”

Cheers to the Future

The evening wrapped up with startup pitches – bursts of passion, prototypes, and possibility. From energy efficiency to AI-driven sound analysis, each founder carried the spark that started YES!Delft’s story 20 years ago: bold ideas backed by relentless optimism.

As glasses clinked and laughter filled the air, one thing was clear: the next 20 years are already in motion. Because at YES!Delft, innovation doesn’t stop at success stories. It begins with the next “crazy one” who dares to believe.