Summary: As part of our SME Reporter series, Dhananjaya Parkhe reports on the Indo-Dutch #StartUpLink event held on the 25th of May in Bengaluru. Read on for an insider’s view on an event that could shape the startup ecosystem in both countries.

I was told by a Dutch colleague in Netherlands about the Dutch Prime Minister’s visit to India about 45 days ago. The Indo-Dutch #StartUpLink is developed for Indian and Dutch startups that are exploring each other’s markets and offers access to key information, relevant networks, pilot opportunities and navigators for the respective startup ecosystems. The event was held on 25th May in Bengaluru at the Taj West End hotel.

Prior to the event, I interacted with the Dutch Foreign Ministry from Netherlands and with the Dutch Embassy in Delhi and Bengaluru about participation. Their reception was heartwarming.  When I mentioned that I mentor startups, I was asked to send three profiles of startups in Bengaluru which I have been supporting. They chose Nayonika Eyecare Charitable Trust among the three. Eye Care was an issue that the delegation wanted to focus on.  They currently have an association with Shankara Netralaya we were told. We shared that this is a humanitarian area and non-compete collaborative era and we also have good relations on reciprocal basis with Shankara Netralaya. We were told to submit our presentation for preview to the incoming delegates and the Ministry.

At the event, the first session had a CNBC host as the anchor who had run a startup programme for 17 years on their channel. There were nearly 150 participants. The Mayor of Bengaluru and Minister of Trade Development next came on stage and shared their ideas, thoughts about StartupLink which is associated with the Startup India initiative.

It was followed by a dinner attended by about 700 invitees. Bilateral contracts worth Euro 6.9 billion were signed during this event and the parties concerned were invited on stage and honoured.

We could personally meet and discuss, exchange cards with the Dutch Trade Minister, Minister of Foreign affairs and the Minister for Healthcare.  We also met the Mayor of Bengaluru about our new project 'Netra Abhiyan' with the government of Karnataka and Namma Bengaluru Foundation to work in 502 identified slum areas for a blindness prevention drive. 

The personal interest by the ministers in inviting us to write to them so that they can introduce us to the concerned people was for me the highlight of the event and I felt that they are genuinely interested in the cause of promoting startups and humanitarian initiatives.

To learn more about the event, network by clicking on the 'Invite' button on my eBiz Card.

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