The Hub for AI & Quantum
From Science to Business
Startup Village is more than a place to work. At Startup Village, we help deep tech founders transform groundbreaking research into successful businesses. We bridge the gap between science, entrepreneurship and industry.
Founded in 2016 as an initiative of UvA Ventures Holding, Startup Village began as a bold idea: transforming sea containers into an inspiring startup campus. Designed by Julius Taminiau Architects and inspired by Pop Brixton in London, the campus has grown into a globally recognized home for deep tech entrepreneurship. Today, it is home to a thriving community of AI, Quantum and Data Science startups, all working to solve real-world challenges through science and technology.
Through our community, incubation programs, events and strategic partnerships, we connect founders with science, investors, corporates and talent. We believe that the world's biggest challenges require deep technology, strong collaboration and entrepreneurial ambition.
Just a few great examples of startups that began their journey at Startup Village are Scyfer by Max Welling and Jorgen Sandig, Aigency by Jim Stolze, BIT by Marco van der werf and WSK by Marius Wellenstein.
We are part of Amsterdam Science Park, European hub for deep tech
Startup Village is located at the heart of Amsterdam Science Park—one of Europe's leading innovation districts and home to one of the continent's largest concentrations of science, technology and research. Amsterdam Science Park is one of Europe’s leading innovation campuses, driving breakthroughs in AI & Digital Innovation, Life Sciences & Health, Sustainability, and High-Tech Systems & Materials.
Its ecosystem brings together around 170 companies, 6,000 students and 1,500 researchers, creating a unique environment where science, entrepreneurship and industry connect. Startups gain direct access to world-class research, cutting-edge facilities, top talent and a strong network of academic, corporate and public partners—accelerating the journey from scientific discovery to global impact.
AI & Digital Innovation at Amsterdam Science Park
Amsterdam Science Park is one of Europe’s leading hubs for AI and Digital Innovation, bringing together researchers, startups, corporates and public organizations to develop the technologies of tomorrow. As the birthplace of the European internet and home to the national supercomputer Snellius, it offers world-class digital infrastructure and connectivity.
The ecosystem is powered by internationally renowned institutes, including the University of Amsterdam, CWI, SURF, the Netherlands eScience Center, and ICAI (the Innovation Center for Artificial Intelligence). Together, they drive breakthroughs in AI, machine learning, data science and human-computer interaction, while creating a unique environment where startups collaborate with leading researchers and industry partners to turn cutting-edge research into real-world solutions.
At Startup Village, founders gain direct access to this world-class ecosystem—connecting them with top talent, research facilities, AI expertise and strategic partners to accelerate innovation and create global impact.
Quantum Technology & Computing
Amsterdam Science Park is one of Europe's leading quantum innovation hubs, bringing together world-class researchers, startups, and industry to shape the future of quantum technologies. Home to pioneering initiatives such as CWI, QuSoft, QDNL, and the Quantum Application Lab (QAL), the ecosystem accelerates breakthroughs in quantum software, hardware, algorithms, and real-world applications.
From next-generation computing and cybersecurity to healthcare, advanced materials, and sustainable technologies, quantum innovation has the potential to transform entire industries. At Startup Village, founders gain direct access to this collaborative ecosystem of scientific excellence, specialized infrastructure, and strategic partnerships—helping turn quantum research into scalable businesses with global impact.
2017–2018
Following its successful launch, Startup Village expanded beyond the original container offices. Additional startup spaces, meeting rooms, event venues, laboratories, and the Venture Studio were added, creating a complete innovation campus. The full development was completed in 2018, establishing Startup Village as a permanent home for science-driven entrepreneurship.
2015-2016
Startup Village started as a bold idea, “let’s build a village of sea containers turned into offices and make this a unique sight”.
The History of Startup Village Amsterdam
3 November 2016
Together with the Amsterdam Science Park, UvA Ventures Holding, Julius Taminiau Architects the idea became reality. Startup Village is created to provide a unifying hub for AI and Quantum startups.
COVID 2020 - 2022
2020
In 2020, Startup Village secured an extension of five years, ensuring its continued presence at Amsterdam Science Park. During this period, the organization sharpened its strategic positioning by focusing specifically on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Quantum technologies—two fields in which Amsterdam's academic ecosystem is internationally recognized. This marked the beginning of Startup Village's evolution into The Hub for AI & Quantum
2025
In 2025, Startup Village received another four-year extension, securing its future through 2028. This extension strengthened its long-term commitment to supporting AI and Quantum startups and further embedding itself within Amsterdam's deep-tech ecosystem.
That same year, Startup Village expanded its community with the opening of the Ex. Club, developed in collaboration with LAB42 and the University of Amsterdam (UvA). The new space creates additional opportunities for researchers, founders, students, and industry partners to meet, collaborate, and accelerate innovation. LAB42 itself is becoming Amsterdam's flagship centre for AI research and education, making the collaboration a natural extension of Startup Village's mission.
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Our collboration with leading institutions
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UVA VENTURES
Startup Village is 100% powered by UVA Ventures, serving as the valorisation verhicle for the technical campus at Amsterdam Science Park.
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VU Demonstratorlab and Makerslab
Startup Village has established a direct collaboration with DLab to ensure that deep-tech startups can be jointly housed at both DLab and Startup Village. These startups can be supported through our incubation program, The Nursery, enabling them to benefit from the combined expertise, infrastructure, and ecosystem of both organizations.
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ICAI
Startup Village and ICAI, led by Maarten de Rijke, jointly run a program dedicated to bridging the gap between cutting-edge AI research and market-ready applications. The program supports the translation of scientific innovations into impactful startups by connecting researchers, entrepreneurs, and industry partners.
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ELLIS
Startup Village serves as a non-academic advisor to the proposed ELIAS Node, fostering collaboration between researchers, entrepreneurs, and industry. It provides mentorship to researchers and founders, supports node activities, and offers strategic guidance through its role on the ELIAS Alliance Advisory Board.