YES!Delft

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.

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

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

• Tech startup incubator
• Startup accelerator programs
• Startup validation programs
• Entrepreneur mentorship services
• Sector-focused accelerators

Headquarters

HQ city

Delft

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. 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

Core 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.

Named customers26 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• TU DelftcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTU 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.
• TNOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research) is a knowledge partner sharing knowledge and collaborating to drive innovation in the ecosystem.
• Erasmus UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerErasmus University Rotterdam is an academic partner collaborating in the ecosystem to drive innovation.
• SiemensmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSiemens is a corporate partner in the ecosystem, contributing to knowledge sharing and innovation collaboration.
• Innovation QuartermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovation 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 TechminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Hague Tech is a tech hub partner collaborating in the ecosystem.
• NMT OffshoreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNMT Offshore is an industry partner in the ecosystem.
• ForgeonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerForgeon is a partner contributing to the ecosystem.
• Moore DRVminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMoore DRV is an accounting/consulting partner supporting startups in the ecosystem.
• InfiniteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInfinite is a partner in the ecosystem.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct 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

• Xtwitter.com/yesdelft
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@yesdelft6251
• Facebookfacebook.com/YESDelft
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/967701
• Instagraminstagram.com/yesdelft

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments409 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about YES!Delft