From November 13 to 16, 2025 we experienced an unforgettable startup tour. In four
exciting days we not only got up close with the world of startups and venture capitalists in Amsterdam, but also learned a lot of new things about innovations, entrepreneurial spirit, and investment strategies. Here’s our recap of this inspiring journey:
November 13: The start of an exciting journey
The tour began with a visit to Picnic, a startup that turns the traditional food retail model upside down. Over a free, wholesome breakfast we were welcomed by Michiel Muller, the Co-Founder of Picnic, and two business analysts. They gave us a fascinating insight into their business model, which skips intermediaries and delivers directly to customers. The focus on customer relationships and how Picnic deeply understands the needs of its target audience was especially exciting.
After an interesting exchange at Picnic we continued to GoDutch, a startup founded by Thomas Vles. In a very personal conversation Thomas shared his founder journey with us and gave valuable startup advice: “Test the market early, get feedback, and adapt.” It was inspiring to hear his honest and authentic perspective on the founding process.
We wrapped up the day with a relaxed ferry ride – free and still a real highlight for chatting with each other and processing the impressions.
November 14: Relaxation and networking
The second day started for some of us with a yoga session, to begin the day relaxed and focused. Afterwards there was time for shopping and sightseeing. Some of us visited the Van Gogh Museum, others explored the city on their own.
In the afternoon we met with the team from Innovis VC, the largest student venture capital organization in Europe. The day ended with a shared pizza and many interesting conversations that expanded our networks.
November 15: A deeper look into venture capital
The third day was all about venture capital. First we visited forward.one, a VC that introduced us to a predominantly female team. Their interactive and emotional presentation showed us how they invest in startups and what criteria matter to them. We learned a lot about deep tech and the challenges associated with investing in this innovative sector.
In the afternoon we went to DFF Ventures, where an investment partner and later the founder of the company personally welcomed us. The founder’s story, proudly describing how he lives his dream, was especially impressive. A topic that particularly occupied us was the Network Effect – the concept that a company’s value creation grows exponentially as it gains more customers. DFF Ventures mainly invests in B2B startups and has, among others, invested in WeTransfer. The day’s highlight was a shared dinner, where we had an intensive final exchange.
November 16: The journey home
On the final day of the tour, sadly it was time to say goodbye again. After a quick breakfast – snacks from the Albert Heijn supermarket – we headed home. Many of us were exhausted after the intense days, but our heads were full of new ideas and impressions. During the ride back there was still plenty to discuss: some used the time to take a nap, while others spent the last hours of the tour playing an exciting game of Uno or a digital card game.
