Digital Holland
Digital Holland is a Dutch government-backed coordination body (formerly Top Sector ICT) that channels public-private partnerships across seven Digital and Information Technologies — AI, cybersecurity, 6G, data spaces, neuromorphic, blockchain, and digital twinning — serving SMEs, knowledge institutions, and government agencies.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersThe Hague, Netherlands
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Digital Holland does
Digital Holland (formerly Top Sector ICT) is the Dutch national coordination body for ICT innovation, operating under the governance of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy from its headquarters in The Hague. Founded in 2013 and rebranded in 2024 following the end of the formal Topsector policy framework, the organisation channels public-private partnerships across seven Digital and Information Technologies: Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity Technologies, Digital Connectivity (including 5G/6G and Future Network Services), Software Technologies and Computing (including blockchain), Neuromorphic Technologies, Data Science and Data Spaces, and Digital Twinning and Immersive Technologies. It coordinates coalitions such as the Dutch AI Coalition (NL AIC), dcypher for cybersecurity, the Centre of Excellence for Data Sharing and Cloud (CoE-DSC), and the Future Network Services consortium (60+ partners for 6G). Its mission is to connect companies, universities, research institutes, and government agencies to realise ICT innovations that address four societal challenge areas: Health and Care, Energy Transition, Agriculture/Water/Food, and Circular Economy.
The organisation does not sell commercial products or services. Its revenue model is fundamentally that of a public-sector coordination intermediary: it is funded through Dutch National Growth Fund allocations (€11.3B invested in innovation projects 2021-2024), NWO KIC partnership funding (€1.4-7M per proposal, requiring 30-50% private co-funding), EU programmes including Connecting Europe Facility (CEF Digital, €323M per call round), Horizon Europe, and the Digital Europe Programme, plus the Strategic Trade Fair Programme for international trade fair presence. With 11-50 employees, Digital Holland operates with a small secretariat that orchestrates much larger coalition budgets flowing to partner organisations. Key programmes include the Future Network Services €312M 6G initiative through 2030, the AiNed AI growth fund programme through 2027, the €1.9M DAS-CROPPER agricultural AI project (2025-2029), and €1.2M in cybersecurity/defence AI projects under the Ministry of Defence's 2025-2027 security market programme.
The go-to-market model is event-driven and community-led: NL Pavilions at Mobile World Congress Barcelona, InCyber Forum Lille, and Hannover Messe; international trade missions; five European Digital Innovation Hubs providing regional SME access; and a grants/subsidies guide directing participants to MIT instruments, WBSO, NWO calls, and EU funding. Strategic positioning is built on a regulatory moat as the official Dutch government coordinator, ecosystem lock-in through co-investment with 60+ FNS partners and academic institutions (TNO, TU Delft, Wageningen, Radboud, Chalmers), and distribution advantage via NFIA and RVO partnerships for foreign investment attraction. Leadership is headed by Director Frits Grotenhuis, with figurehead Jeannine Peek (also Managing Director of Capgemini Netherlands) bridging public and private sector engagement.
Digital Holland firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Digital Holland
- Legal name
- Digital Holland
- Website
- https://digital-holland.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Digital Holland is a Dutch government-backed coordination body (formerly Top Sector ICT) that channels public-private partnerships across seven Digital and Information Technologies — AI, cybersecurity, 6G, data spaces, neuromorphic, blockchain, and digital twinning — serving SMEs, knowledge institutions, and government agencies.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Digital Holland industry classification
Industry- Product category
- ICT Innovation Coordination
- akta.pro primary industry
- Science, Technology & Innovation Administration (National R&D Policy) (BPAIAAAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Digital Policy, Data Governance & Cybersecurity Standards Cooperation (BPADANAH), Government Digital Service & eGovernment (Service Delivery, IDs, Portals) (BPAIAAAE)
Keywords
Where Digital Holland is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- The Hague
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Digital Holland business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Public-Private Partnership Funding: Digital Holland coordinates public-private partnerships that pool funding from government, industry, and knowledge institutions to support ICT innovation. The National Growth Fund (NGF) has invested in programmes such as Future Network Services (6G), with €61 million in Phase 1 and up to €142 million in Phase 2. The programme total is €312 million involving 60+ partners over 6 years.
- EU Programme Funding (Connecting Europe Facility): European Commission funding through programmes such as Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), Horizon Europe, and Digital Europe Programme. CEF Digital calls totalling €323 million opened in 2024 for backbone connectivity, 5G large-scale pilots, and European Quantum Communication Infrastructures.
- National Growth Fund Investments: The National Growth Fund has invested €11.3 billion in Dutch innovation projects from 2021–2024. Companies, knowledge institutions and societal organisations matched this with €12.6 billion in co-funding. Every euro invested is estimated to yield a return of €5.80 during the period until 2040 (Rabobank, 2024).
- NWO KIC Public-Private Partnership Funding: NWO KIC (Knowledge Innovation Covenant) calls for proposals provide 50–70% funding, with the remaining 30–50% provided as mandatory co-funding from private entities. Call amounts range from €1.4 million to €7 million per proposal. TKI ICT also provides public-private partnership funding for ICT innovation projects.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels8 records
Digital Holland product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Digital Holland (formerly Top Sector ICT) is the Dutch national coordination body for ICT innovation, operating under the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy. It facilitates public-private partnerships across seven Digital and Information Technologies—Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Digital Connectivity (5G/6G), Software Technologies and Computing, Neuromorphic Technologies, Data Science, and Digital Twinning—and four societal challenge areas (Health and Care, Energy Transition, Agriculture/Water/Food, Circular Economy). It connects companies, government agencies, and knowledge institutions, and channels National Growth Fund, EU, and NWO KIC public-private partnership funding to Dutch innovation projects.
Product overview
Digital Holland (formerly Topsector ICT) is not a traditional software product company but rather a national coordination organization for ICT innovation. It facilitates public-private partnerships across seven key Digital and Information Technologies: Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity Technologies, Digital Connectivity Technologies (Future Network Services/6G), Software Technologies and Computing, Neuromorphic Technologies, Data Science/Data Analytics/Data Spaces, and Digital Twinning/Immersive Technologies. The organization coordinates innovation around societal challenges including Energy Transition, Health and Care, Agriculture/Water/Food, and Circular Economy. It supports SMEs, facilitates international cooperation, organizes trade missions, and manages funding programs including KIA Digitalisation. Key coalitions under its umbrella include the Dutch AI Coalition (NL AIC), dcypher for cybersecurity, the Dutch Blockchain Coalition, and the Centre of Excellence for Data Sharing and Cloud (CoE-DSC).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- International Cooperation Activities Programme promoting the Netherlands as an ICT partner abroad, supporting Dutch companies with international ambitions, and strengthening connections between researchers and companies within EU programmes such as Horizon Europe and Digital Europe.
- Innovative SME Support Programme Priority programme to increase SME involvement in ICT innovation, creating a broader basis for public-private cooperation through regional partnerships, MIT innovation subsidy schemes, and connections to European Digital Innovation Hubs.
- Strategic Trade Fair Programme (SBP) Programme providing funding for collective Dutch presence at international trade fairs (Mobile World Congress Barcelona, InCyber Forum Lille, Hannover Messe) to promote the Dutch ICT sector and enable companies to access new markets.
- Energy Transition Support Programme Programme coordinating ICT innovations to support the Netherlands' goal of climate neutrality by 2050, with missions covering carbon-free electricity, CO2-free built environment, climate-neutral industry, and emission-free mobility.
- Health and Care Digitisation Programme Programme promoting healthy life expectancy and reducing health inequalities through smart ICT innovations in healthcare sustainability, personalised treatments, data-driven care, AI-assisted diagnosis, and crisis resilience.
- Human Capital Agenda ICT Workforce development initiative connecting partners in training, reskilling, and nurturing future ICT professionals through cooperation at national and regional levels, addressing diversity and inclusion in the ICT labour market, with a national goal of one million digitally trained workers by 2030.
- DAS-CROPPER Project Four-year public-private partnership project (€1.9M total budget, starting May 2025) investigating AI methods for crop breeding, developing adaptable crops resistant to changing environmental conditions and diseases, combining data spaces, LLMs, and genomic/phenomic selection models.
Quantifiable outcome
- National Growth Fund investment of €11.3 billion (2021–2024) has been matched by €12.6 billion in private co-funding, yielding an estimated return of €5.80 per euro invested by 2040
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Digital Holland
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Digital Holland technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature8 records
Digital Holland partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Dutch Ministry of DefencecoreThe Ministry of Defence is the driving force behind the Strategic Programme for the Security Market (KIA Security), mobilising top sectors including Topsector ICT. TKI ICT has earmarked €1.2 million for AI/Data and Cybersecurity Technologies projects under this programme. Four projects funded: INSYST (TNO/Damen), CyGENT (University of Twente), CyDES (Fontys), INVISE (NIPV/Amsterdam-Amstelland).
- Radicle Crops BVcoreCoordinator of the DAS-CROPPER project (€1.9 million total budget) on AI-driven crop breeding, combining public-private partnership funding across topsectors ICT, Horticulture & Starting Materials, Agri & Food, and Water & Maritime. Project runs for four years from May 2025, developing AI-driven technologies for climate-adaptive crops.
- Wageningen Plant ResearchcoreResearch participant in the DAS-CROPPER PPP project on Data Science for crop breeding, contributing expertise in agricultural data science and crop phenotyping alongside Radicle Crops BV, Growy Group, OMRON Europe, and other partners.
- Radboud UniversitycoreCoordinated the white paper 'Neuromorphic Computing in the Netherlands' highlighting Dutch expertise in brain-inspired computing and advocating for a national coalition 'Neuromorphic Computing NL'. Radboud University represents Dutch academic excellence in AI, neuroscience and computational modelling. Dr. Johan Mentink is the contact for the neuromorphic computing community.
- Growy GroupminorParticipant in the DAS-CROPPER project focused on AI-driven decision support models in greenhouse crop cultivation, contributing commercial interest and expertise in applied tomato cultivation with digital phenotypic data.
- OMRON EuropeminorTechnology partner in the DAS-CROPPER consortium contributing to AI-driven crop breeding and genomic selection models, leveraging industrial automation and sensing expertise for agricultural applications.
- AircisionminorJoined the FNS programme to understand how Free Space Optics (FSO) can be integrated into future network infrastructure. Collaboration with TU/e and other partners helps refine the technology and improve real-world adoption for next-generation networks.
- Chalmers University of TechnologyminorInternational partner in the FNS-6G programme playing a key role in the evolution of next-generation wireless communication. Chalmers provides academic expertise bridging the gap between academia and industry, with potential for spin-off collaboration projects and further research initiatives.
- TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research)coreTNO leads the Future Network Services (FNS) consortium focused on 6G research and development. TNO submitted the national 6G programme proposal to the Ministry of Economic Affairs on behalf of the consortium, in partnership with the Ministry and Topsector ICT. Paul Wijngaard of TNO serves as Partnership Manager for Communication Network Infrastructure.
- Future Network Services (FNS) Consortium (60+ partners)coreA far-reaching public-private collaboration of over 60 companies, knowledge institutes and governments focused on researching and developing next-generation communication networks, especially 6G. Between 2024 and 2030, the consortium will build a strong Dutch 6G ecosystem. Includes TNO, telecommunications companies, universities of technology, NXP, and other key players.
- Dutch Cabinet / Digital Economy StrategycoreDigital Holland operates in close alignment with the Dutch Cabinet's Digital Economy Strategy, which sets five ambitions: accelerating SME digitalisation, boosting digital innovation and skills, creating functional digital markets, preserving digital infrastructure, and improving cybersecurity. Digital Holland coordinates Action Agendas for AI/Data and Cybersecurity Technologies under this framework.
- Centre of Excellence for Data Sharing and Cloud (CoE-DSC)coreCoE-DSC is the central hub in the Netherlands for data sharing and cloud challenges, bringing together expertise to prevent fragmentation and provide the Dutch data sharing community with a centralised hub of knowledge, tools, use cases and expertise. Peter Verkoulen serves as Coalition Manager. Aligns with European Data Strategy and the Data Act.
- Dutch AI Coalition (NL AIC)coreNL AIC was established in 2019 as one of the coalitions under the umbrella of Digital Holland (formerly Top Sector ICT). It brings together companies, knowledge institutions, governments and civil society organisations to shape the Netherlands' AI agenda and drive European cooperation. The multi-year AiNed programme (national growth fund investment until 2027) is coordinated under NL AIC.
- dcyphercoreThe dcypher platform focuses on the entire cybersecurity chain with three main objectives: increasing expertise and cybersecurity training, strengthening the Dutch knowledge position in cybersecurity, and valorising knowledge to raise necessary financial resources. It brings together innovative capabilities across all Dutch Top Sectors.
- Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate PolicycoreDigital Holland operates under the governance of the Ministry, which provides strategic direction for ICT innovation policy. The Ministry coordinates the Strategic Trade Fair Programme with Digital Holland, along with Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), key technology coalitions, industry associations, and ROMs.
- Ministry of Foreign AffairsminorCollaborates with Digital Holland on the Strategic Trade Fair Programme, international trade missions, and promoting the Netherlands as an ICT partner abroad in priority countries.
- Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO)minorRVO collaborates with Digital Holland on the Strategic Trade Fair Programme and is part of the KIA Digitalisation advisory board. RVO also supports the European Subsidy Instruments tool developed together with Topsector ICT.
- Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA)minorNFIA supports foreign (knowledge-intensive) ICT companies wishing to establish activities in the Netherlands, attracting international investment to the Dutch digital innovation ecosystem.
- NL Digital (Industry Association)minorNL Digital participates in the SME working committee on ICT innovations alongside Regional Development Agencies, FME, and other parties, helping to accelerate adoption of digital solutions for companies.
- FME (Industry Association)minorFME participates in the SME working committee on ICT innovations, representing the manufacturing and technology sector in Digital Holland's SME innovation acceleration efforts.
- Regional Development Agencies (ROMs)minorRegional Development Agencies participate in the SME working committee on ICT innovations and are involved in the KIA Digitalisation advisory board. They connect innovative SMEs to funding and regional partnerships.
- NXP SemiconductorscoreNXP is a key Dutch player in the FNS consortium, contributing expertise in radio components for antennas and semiconductor technologies essential for 6G development. NXP represents the Netherlands' strong position in network components alongside European players Ericsson and Nokia.
- European Commission / EU ProgrammescoreThe European Commission, through the Digital Europe Programme, Horizon Europe, and Connecting Europe Facility, provides €323 million in calls for proposals for advanced digital connectivity. The Netherlands participates in large-scale pilots of EU Digital Identity Wallets through the WE BUILD consortium. Digital Holland coordinates AI/Data and Cybersecurity Action Agendas aligned with the National Technology Strategy.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Digital Holland competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- NL Digital: Dutch ICT industry association already collaborating with Digital Holland via the SME working committee. Closely overlapping stakeholder base of Dutch tech companies and a complementary (rather than identical) mandate around sector representation.
- Digital Catapult: UK government-backed innovation centre for advanced digital technologies, accelerating AI, 5G/6G, quantum and immersive tech adoption. Closely comparable to Digital Holland as a publicly-funded innovation catalyst coordinating industry-academia partnerships.
- Bitkom: Germany's leading digital industry association coordinating ICT policy, innovation, and public-private partnerships. Directly comparable to Digital Holland in mandate (national ICT policy coordination), structure (coalition-based), and stakeholder base (industry, government, academia).
Broad incumbents
- Innovate UK: UK's national innovation agency funding business-led R&D and coordinating Catapult centres. Functionally comparable as a publicly-funded innovation funding body, though much larger in scale and budget than Digital Holland.
- TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research): Netherlands' applied research organisation and lead partner of the FNS consortium. Broader in scope (defence, health, energy, mobility) but operating under similar government mandate, with deeper R&D execution capabilities than Digital Holland's coordination role.
- Fraunhofer Society: Germany's applied research network with institutes across ICT, AI, cybersecurity and communications. Comparable in coordinating applied R&D between public funding and industry needs, but at significantly larger institutional scale.
Others
- Catapult Network UK: UK network of technology and innovation Catapult centres covering advanced digital, quantum, and connected places. Conceptually parallel to Digital Holland's coalition-of-coalitions model for applied innovation delivery, with similar government-backing and industry-academia interface.
- European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH) Network: EU-wide network of regional digitalisation hubs, including five in the Netherlands that Digital Holland helps coordinate. Comparable as a delivery channel for SME digitalisation support funded by the EU Digital Europe Programme.
Regional players
- Vinnova: Sweden's innovation agency funding cross-sector R&D with industry and academia. Comparable as a national innovation funding coordinator with PPP focus, but operating in a different Nordic geography.
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland: Finnish government-owned applied research organisation coordinating national innovation in AI, 5G/6G and digital technologies. Comparable in mandate and PPP model, but operating primarily in Finland rather than the Netherlands.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Digital Holland social profiles
Digital presenceDigital Holland financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Digital Holland leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Digital Holland funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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Digital Holland M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about Digital Holland
What does Digital Holland do?
Digital Holland (formerly Top Sector ICT) is the Dutch national coordination body for ICT innovation, operating under the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy. It facilitates public-private partnerships across seven Digital and Information Technologies—Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Digital Connectivity (5G/6G), Software Technologies and Computing, Neuromorphic Technologies, Data Science, and Digital Twinning—and four societal challenge areas (Health and Care, Energy Transition, Agriculture/Water/Food, Circular Economy). It connects companies, government agencies, and knowledge institutions, and channels National Growth Fund, EU, and NWO KIC public-private partnership funding to Dutch innovation projects.
Is Digital Holland a public or private company?
Digital Holland is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Digital Holland founded?
Digital Holland was founded in 2013. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Digital Holland based?
Digital Holland is headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does Digital Holland make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Public-Private Partnership Funding is the primary driver. The others are EU Programme Funding (Connecting Europe Facility), national Growth Fund Investments and NWO KIC Public-Private Partnership Funding.
Who are Digital Holland's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are NL Digital, Digital Catapult and Bitkom. Broad incumbents are Innovate UK, TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research) and Fraunhofer Society. Others are Catapult Network UK and European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH) Network. Regional players are Vinnova and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland.
Does Digital Holland have an API?
No public API is recorded for Digital Holland.
What industry is Digital Holland in?
Digital Holland's product category is ICT Innovation Coordination. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIAAAK, Science, Technology & Innovation Administration (National R&D Policy), with a secondary code of BPADANAH, Digital Policy, Data Governance & Cybersecurity Standards Cooperation.