Programmes

ImpactCity believes that economic success goes hand in hand with solutions for a better world. We call this “doing good & doing business” and encourage impact entrepreneurs in all kinds of ways with practical help. ImpactCity’s services focus on the following 6 pillars:

Visibility
Network
Access to capital

Infrastructure
Talent
Innovation

In these areas, we provide programmes that support entrepreneurs in a targeted way. In these areas, we provide programmes including targeted support to entrepreneurs. For example, there is a programme aimed at finding a suitable grant and one that focuses on looking for a good investor.

On this page you will find information on interesting programmes for entrepreneurs. We arrange some of these programmes ourselves, but there are also programmes run by our partners. Some programmes may take place every year, some more or less often.

The Hague Innovators

— Visibility & Capital —

ImpactCity’s The Hague Innovator Awards are a springboard for startups and scale-ups looking to make a difference. Winners are rewarded with a prize package totalling €22,500.

Keep an eye on our website and our socials for the latest edition of The Hague Innovators!
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Application period: May through August
Duration: 2 months, typically September through October

Global Market Entry Programme

— Business development & Network —

The Global Market Entry Programme (GMEP) of InnovationQuarter and The Hague & Partners gives SMEs and scale-ups from The Hague and region a flying start on the international market.

During the programme, you work towards strategic market entry and gain access to a large local and international network.
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Application period: typically during the first quarter of the calendar year
Duration: 9 months, typically March through November

Startup in Residence Intergov

— Innovation –

At Startup in Residence Intergov, governments challenge startups to pitch innovative solutions to societal challenges. During five months, entrepreneurs go through a valuable innovation programme to prepare their solution for implementation together with the government.

Interested? Check out the challenges!
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Application period: several openings per year
Duration: 5-6 months

Expert Support

— Network —

Once or twice a year, ImpactCity and various partners organise Expert Support, an opportunity for startups and scale-ups to discuss their business with different service providers in one morning.
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Would you like to be invited to this event? Let us know at info@impactcity.nl.

International trade missions

— Business development & Network —

Every year, we visit an international event with a delegation of entrepreneurs from The Hague. In recent years, these have included ChangeNOW in Paris, Slush in Helsinki and Bits & Pretzels in Munich. You’ll discover the latest trends, share knowledge with leading experts and build valuable relationships that will take your organisation to the next level.
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Keep an eye on our social media and newsletter for the latest trade missions.

Market Readiness Programme

— Access to capital —

The Market Readiness Programme of InnovationQuarter, aims to assist early-stage startups in pinpointing a distinct customer segment and effectively positioning their product or service.

Within ten weeks, you will engage in a sequence of workshops, acquiring the skills to test and validate your assumptions about your customers.

Social media & PR

— Visibility —

ImpactCity and its partners are raising the profile of impact entrepreneurs in The Hague through an active online community. Do you have some important news to share? Share your story via ImpactCity’s media channels and inspire others with your vision for a better future.

From startup to scale-up with Gritd

— Business Growth —

Gridt is building a stronger start-up ecosystem through programmes and training courses. Their mission is to increase the chances of start-ups succeeding by professionalising the support they receive. To this end, they use objective data from 3,000 start-ups to identify barriers to growth. Through training-focused acceleration programmes, they aim to remove these barriers as far as possible.
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Expected in September 2026.

Matchmaking Golden Egg Check

— Access to Capital —

A new feature of the ImpactCity programme is matchmaking in collaboration with Golden Egg Check. Imagine: a quick, targeted connection with relevant angel and VC investors, plus access to their community of founders and their expertise in go-to-market strategies, talent and scaling up.
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Expected at Festival van de Toekomst, November 5, 2026.

Grants for Impact

— Access to capital —

There are plenty of subsidies available to speed up your company, but applying for them can be complex.

ImpactCity has set up a successful programme, together with EIFFEL- to help promising startups and scale-ups find a suitable grant and support them in applying for it.
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Application period: typically December through January
Duration: several months

Founders dinner

— Network —

Several times a year, a founders’ dinner is organised in the region. Six to eight founders gather at a founder’s home, where a chef prepares a delicious dinner. Meanwhile, discussions focus on growing your business and the challenges that come with it. An intimate setting with depth and substance.
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Participation is by invitation only.

Impact Investing Networking Event

— Network —

At least once a year, we organise a networking event for all impact investors in the region.
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Participation is by invitation only.

Soft Landing Programme

— Infrastructure —

For impact companies from other countries looking to relocate or expand their business to The Hague, our partner The Hague & Partners has developed the Soft Landing Programme.

The programme is designed to help you pass as many as possible roadblocks in the critical setup phase of a company.

Stay informed!

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