YES!Delft
YES!Delft is a Delft-based, non-profit tech startup incubator offering Validation, Accelerator, and Deep-dive sector-focused programs, supporting 550+ startups with mentors, funding access, and the TU Delft ecosystem.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersDelft, Netherlands
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What YES!Delft does
YES!Delft is a non-profit tech startup incubator headquartered in Delft, Netherlands, on the TU Delft Campus. Founded in 2005, the organization runs a three-tier program portfolio for technology entrepreneurs: a Validation Program for early-stage startups to test assumptions and reach first customers, an Accelerator Program for growth-stage startups to strengthen foundations and access a larger network (without taking equity), and a Deep-dive sector-focused program for targeted validation and acceleration within specific industries. Its core offering is structured support — mentorship, access to funding, talent, markets, and facilities — rather than a proprietary software product or technology stack.
The incubator operates as part of a broader Dutch innovation ecosystem anchored by TU Delft and includes partners such as TNO, Siemens, Erasmus University, Innovation Quarter, The Hague Tech, NMT Offshore, Forgeon, Moore DRV, and Infinite. According to the company's own disclosures, it has supported more than 550 startups, with 83% of accelerated startups remaining active or acquired and 95%+ successfully closing pre-seed funding rounds. Notable portfolio outcomes include Dawn Aerospace's US$25 million Series B and pre-seed investments into startups such as DecipHER from Graduate Ventures.
YES!Delft's business model is that of a community-led, non-profit incubator: revenue derives from running programs (categorized as professional services) with pricing not publicly disclosed, supplemented by partner contributions and likely public/regional funding through entities such as Innovation Quarter. The GTM motion is community-led, leveraging direct program applications via the website, social media, newsletters, and partner referrals to attract early-stage and growth-stage tech startups globally, while distributing services through its campus facility on TU Delft.
YES!Delft firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- YES!Delft
- Legal name
- YES!Delft
- Website
- https://yesdelft.nl
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- YES!Delft is a Delft-based, non-profit tech startup incubator offering Validation, Accelerator, and Deep-dive sector-focused programs, supporting 550+ startups with mentors, funding access, and the TU Delft ecosystem.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
YES!Delft industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Startup Incubator Services
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (61171)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated) (FSANAAAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Youth Business Incubators & Accelerators (EDAMAHAC), Technical Universities with Entrepreneurship & Incubation Focus (EDAHAEAH)
Keywords
Where YES!Delft is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Delft
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
YES!Delft business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Incubator and Accelerator Programs: YES!Delft provides validation programs for early-stage startups and accelerator support for more mature companies. The accelerator strengthens startup foundations and connects them to a large network without taking equity.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
YES!Delft product offering
Product offeringCore offering
YES!Delft is a tech startup incubator that runs validation, accelerator, and sector-focused deep-dive programs to help early-stage and growth-stage tech startups validate ideas, find markets, secure first customers, and scale their businesses. The incubator provides startups with access to funding networks, mentors, talent, markets, and facilities, while notably not taking equity from participating startups.
Product overview
YES!Delft is a tech startup incubator offering a three-tier program portfolio: the Validation Program for early-stage startups to test assumptions and find market fit, the Accelerator Program for growth-stage companies to strengthen foundations and access networks without equity dilution, and the Deep-dive Program for sector-focused validation and acceleration. The organization provides access to funding, talent, markets, and facilities, supporting startups through mentorship and a partner ecosystem.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Validation Program Early-stage startup support program that helps entrepreneurs validate their business idea, find their market, test assumptions, meet first customers, and acquire the skills and connections to run their company. Designed for tech startups in the validation phase.
- Accelerator Program Growth-stage program that strengthens startup foundations and connects entrepreneurs to a large network without taking equity. Provides structured growth guidance and access to valuable insights for scaling tech startups.
- Deep-dive Program Sector-focused validation and acceleration program targeting specific industries, helping startups validate or accelerate their path to market with more precision and greater confidence. Designed for tech startups requiring tailored sector expertise.
Companies that use YES!Delft
Customer profileNamed customers26 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
YES!Delft technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
YES!Delft partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- TU DelftcoreTU Delft is the primary academic partner, with YES!Delft located on TU Delft Campus. This is a foundational partnership that connects the incubator to academic resources, talent, and research capabilities.
- TNOcoreTNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research) is a knowledge partner sharing knowledge and collaborating to drive innovation in the ecosystem.
- Erasmus UniversitymajorErasmus University Rotterdam is an academic partner collaborating in the ecosystem to drive innovation.
- SiemensmajorSiemens is a corporate partner in the ecosystem, contributing to knowledge sharing and innovation collaboration.
- Innovation QuartermajorInnovation Quarter is a regional development agency that invests in innovative startups and scale-ups in South Holland, partnering with YES!Delft to support the startup ecosystem.
- The Hague TechminorThe Hague Tech is a tech hub partner collaborating in the ecosystem.
- NMT OffshoreminorNMT Offshore is an industry partner in the ecosystem.
- ForgeonminorForgeon is a partner contributing to the ecosystem.
- Moore DRVminorMoore DRV is an accounting/consulting partner supporting startups in the ecosystem.
- InfiniteminorInfinite is a partner in the ecosystem.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
YES!Delft competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC): Large global innovation campus operator hosting incubators, accelerators, and corporate innovation programs. Comparable as an infrastructure-based incubator creating dense startup ecosystems in physical locations.
- Rockstart: Amsterdam-based accelerator running domain-focused programs (energy, agritech, health). Closely comparable as a Dutch/European accelerator with sector-specific deep-dive tracks, but equity-taking.
- Startupbootcamp: Global accelerator with European roots operating industry-focused programs. Comparable in providing structured 3-month accelerator cohorts and mentor networks for early-stage tech founders.
- Station F: Europe's largest startup campus, hosting multiple accelerator and incubator programs. Directly comparable as a leading European tech incubator offering structured programs for early-stage founders.
- Y Combinator: World's most prominent accelerator, providing seed funding and structured guidance to early-stage startups. Comparable in function (validation + acceleration) though YC takes equity and operates at much larger global scale.
- HighTechXL: Eindhoven-based deep-tech accelerator affiliated with TU/e and the Dutch high-tech ecosystem. Comparable to YES!Delft as a Dutch deep-tech incubator leveraging a technical university partnership.
- Antler: Global early-stage investor and accelerator with strong European presence, including the Netherlands. Comparable as a founder-support program that helps build and invest in startups from day zero.
- Techstars: Global accelerator network running sector-agnostic and sector-specific cohorts. Comparable to YES!Delft as a multi-stage accelerator serving early-stage tech founders, though Techstars takes equity and operates worldwide.
Others
- Innovation Quarter: Regional development agency for South Holland that invests in innovative companies. Listed as a YES!Delft partner; comparable as an adjacent ecosystem actor funding and supporting early-stage startups in the same Dutch region.
Regional players
- Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship: Rotterdam-based incubator affiliated with Erasmus University. Comparable as a Dutch academic-affiliated entrepreneurship support hub, sharing YES!Delft's higher-education ecosystem DNA.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
YES!Delft social profiles
Digital presenceYES!Delft financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
YES!Delft leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
YES!Delft funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
YES!Delft M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments409 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about YES!Delft
What does YES!Delft do?
YES!Delft is a tech startup incubator that runs validation, accelerator, and sector-focused deep-dive programs to help early-stage and growth-stage tech startups validate ideas, find markets, secure first customers, and scale their businesses. The incubator provides startups with access to funding networks, mentors, talent, markets, and facilities, while notably not taking equity from participating startups.
Is YES!Delft a public or private company?
YES!Delft is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was YES!Delft founded?
YES!Delft was founded in 2005. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is YES!Delft based?
YES!Delft is headquartered in Delft, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does YES!Delft make money?
One revenue line is on record: incubator and Accelerator Programs.
Who are YES!Delft's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC), Rockstart, Startupbootcamp, Station F, Y Combinator, HighTechXL, Antler and Techstars. Innovation Quarter is listed as an others. Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship is listed as a regional player.
Does YES!Delft have an API?
No public API is recorded for YES!Delft.
What industry is YES!Delft in?
YES!Delft's product category is Startup Incubator Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSANAAAM, Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated), with a secondary code of EDAMAHAC, Youth Business Incubators & Accelerators. Its NAICS code is 611710.