A launchpad for bold ideas in
AI and Quantum deep tech
The Nursery
Every groundbreaking idea deserves a strong start.
The Nursery Incubator offers a 6-month [onsite] launchpad for early-stage AI and Quantum startups, based on the Gridt Model and emerging from Amsterdam’s academic and entrepreneurial talent.
Validate, validate, validate → find market fit → become funding ready.
We offer a structured program, tailored support, a strong community, and opportunities to connect with experienced professionals from the startup ecosystem.
And most importantly: meet your peers, learn together, and build together.
Two cohorts start each year — one in September and one in February.
Apply now to access the network, support, and environment to take your vision to the next stage.
See our Support Partners
Have a great idea?
Apply up for the Nursery
Elligibility criteria for joining
Stage: Created less than one year ago.
Focus Areas: Quantum and AI.
Team Composition: At least two co-founders (max 4 team members)
Location: Able to work from Startup Village (min. 2x/week).
Funding: Have not yet received venture capital (VC) investment.
Financial: Being able to pay €99/month (per startup, ex VAT) for a period of 6 months.
Duration: Participation is limited to 6 months.
What in it for you?
24/7 access to The Nursery at Startup Village
Curated workshops, sessions, and events
A dedicated buddy (experienced entrepreneur/mentor)
Access to the Startup Village network of founders, experts, investors, and corporates
A peer community of ambitious startup founders
Increased visibility within the startup and innovation ecosystem
Option to extend your stay in The Nursery location, for an additional 6 months before or after completing The Nursery program.
What we offer:
A 6-month support program: Refine your business proposition with hands-on feedback, and support from a dedicated industry buddy.
Join Our Community: Become part of a vibrant network of innovators, with access to valuable resources, mentors, and a supportive ecosystem.
Benefit from Energetic Workspace: Access to office space at Startup Village the hub for AI and quantum technologies (ex-event space).
Investment Readiness: Get investor feedback to assess your funding potential, from grants to venture capital.
Boost Your Visibility: Showcase your startup on our website and enjoy exclusive opportunities to connect with our dedicated partners.
Costs: 99.- eu/month ex vat. per startup. [Max 4 team members]
What we ask in return:
Be an active member of the Startup Village community.
Attend the office at least 2 days a week.
Come prepared for buddy meetings and topic sessions.
Share openly and support fellow founders.
Communicate proactively when you need help.
Engage with Startup Village on LinkedIn and Instagram
Commitment: A 6-month membership for €99/month (excl. VAT), with one calendar month's notice to cancel
The Nursery | Special Tracks
Industry-focused expertise, connections and opportunities to accelerate your startup.
Alongside our regular The Nursery Incubator Program, we offer dedicated Special Tracks designed for startups operating in specific industries, starting with Cargo & Logistics and Quantum Computing, with more tracks to follow.
The Special Tracks follow the same six-month duration as the regular Nursery Program. Participants benefit from the full incubator program, complemented by 4–6 specialized sessions, dedicated mentors and advisors, and access to industry-specific expertise, networks, and funding opportunities.
One incubator. Specialized expertise. Dedicated mentorship. Direct access to industry.
Cargo & Logistics
We count on this visionary to define strategic priorities, allocate resources responsibly, and ensure every decision reinforces long-term value creation.
Air Cargo Netherlands 
What Makes Our Tracks Unique?
We work closely with industry partners who understand and the market, its challenges and emerging opportunities. This gives startups direct access to the right people, specialized knowledge, dedicated mentors and resources to accelerate their growth.
Quantum Technologies
Head of OperationsOne Program. Specialized Expertise.
These specialized tracks focus on four key areas:
Network: Connect directly with industry leaders, corporates, researchers, potential customers and ecosystem partners.
Expertise: Gain practical insights, industry knowledge and access to domain-specific experts through specialized sessions.
Mentorship & Advisory: Receive guidance from dedicated mentors and advisors with deep expertise, industry experience and relevant networks within your specific domain.
Funding: Explore relevant grants, investment opportunities and funding networks tailored to your industry.
We count on this visionary to define strategic priorities, allocate resources responsibly, and ensure every decision reinforces long-term value creation.
Our Special Tracks & Partners
Cargo & Logistics
In collaboration with Air Cargo Netherlands and Schiphol Cargo, connecting startups to the air cargo and logistics ecosystem.
Quantum Computing
In collaboration with QDNL Amsterdam, Q*Soft, the University of Amsterdam and House of Quantum, connecting startups to the Dutch quantum ecosystem
Meet the Buddies
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Jasper Wognum
Co Founder @Braincreators | Ai Salon
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Femmie Geradts
Director Startup Village Amsterdam
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Jorn Eiting van Liempt
Entrepreneur & Venture Builder @ ROM InWest
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Gerty Holla
Coalition Manager | Life Sciences, Health & Biotech expert
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Jin Han
Mentor & Investor
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Linze Rijswijk
Sr. Business Developer @ ROM InWest
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Stephen Dodson
Advisor, Investor | Expert in generative AI, machine learning, and LLMs
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Marc Wesselink
Co-Founder @ venturerock | Digital Venture Platform
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David Rosenberg
Coach on Leadership, alignment & Impact
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Frans van Andel
Healthcare, financing and investment
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Frank Appeldoorn
VC Partner, Managing Partner
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Arjan Goudsblom
Deep tech, AI | Techleap
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Marlon Hiralal
Data, Tech & AI | ABeam Consulting
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Eben Badu
Creative entrepreneur | The New Originals
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Chris Slootweg
Circular chemistry, scientific innovation
Meet Our Cohorts
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Convo.ai
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Eatpol
Launch products people love.
AI-powered video insights into consumer behavior for successful food and CPG product launches -
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EU GPT
A sovereign AI assistant built on European infrastructure, delivering secure, high performance automation while protecting sensitive data and ensuring full compliance.
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EcoNode
Nature risk platform helping financial institutions and SMEs assess location-specific risks and meet TNFD and CSRD requirements.
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FieldLoop
Helping organisations measure their impact by speaking directly to the people they affect.
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Beta2business
An AI company that helps businesses, particularly companies in the manufacturing industry, improve their existing operations using AI and custom software.
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Afrikid
Afrikid Toys creates Africa-inspired educational toys that combine storytelling, creativity, and interactive learning to help children discover African culture.
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Deconvolute Labs
AI security company building infrastructure that protects AI agents from prompt injection, unauthorized actions, and malicious data.
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Conjurer Labs
An EU-sovereign search API designed for agentic use. Agents act on what they find, so a stale result becomes a wrong decision.
