Utrecht region favourable climate new business

In The Netherlands the climate for starting a business varies greatly by region. North Holland, Utrecht and Flevoland top the list of provinces where last year the majority of new businesses were started. Limburg is at the bottom of that list. According to figures from the Economics Department of ING.


Drop in 2012

This year, a number of 140,000 entrepreneurs will start a business, 14 percent more than in 2010. In 2006, another 90,000 companies created. The Economics Department predicts for 2012 a slight decrease in the number of new businesses (135,000). The decrease is due to the minimal economic growth.


Age structure

 In 2010, region North-Holland a number of 141 thousand new businesses were set up , compared to 136.000 in Utrecht and 130.000 in Flevoland. In Limburg, 86,000 new businesses were set up. ING Economics Department concludes that the main reasons for regional differences are age structure, the innovation climate and size of business services.


Innovation

Regions where many people start a business perform above average in terms of innovation potential. Because start-ups express ideas in business, the innovativeness of the region is highly stimulated. Exception to this rule is the province of Groningen. That region, despite a good innovation climate, scores below average on the climate for starters. North Holland and Utrecht scored well in the creative sector.

 

For full ING report (in dutch) click here.


More news

The province of Utrecht

Population: 1.2 million
Size: 524 square miles
Major cities: Utrecht and Amersfoort
Distance: 30 minutes to Amsterdam International airport

Company profiles

Have a look at the company profiles and find out more about the key players already doing successful business here.