How to find a startup visa facilitator in NL

A facilitator is a required business mentor for the Dutch Start-up residence permit. The cooperation must be recorded in a signed agreement, and the facilitator must meet the RVO conditions. Your first job is therefore not to find any incubator or startup coach. It is to find a facilitator that is on the current RVO list and is a realistic fit for your company.

This guide is specifically for the Dutch Start-up residence permit. A startup facilitator is not the same thing as an IND recognised sponsor for skilled employment. Use the live RVO facilitator list as the authority for current status. Being listed does not mean every facilitator will accept every startup, so treat the list as the starting point for a fit and intake conversation rather than an automatic match.

1. 1

   Confirm that the Start-up residence permit is your route

   The facilitator requirement belongs to the Dutch Start-up residence permit. If you already have another residence right that lets you work for yourself, or you are applying through the ordinary self-employed route, the facilitator requirement may not be the route you need.

   Do this: Check your current residence position first, then use the Founder Residence Journey if the Start-up permit is the route you are preparing.

   Open the Founder Residence Journey

   Documents needed

   • Current residence document, if you already live in the Netherlands

   Processing time

   Before you spend time on facilitator outreach

   Common mistake: Do not assume every international founder needs the Start-up permit or a facilitator.

   Official source

   IND · Start-up residence permit requirements
2. 2

   Start with the live RVO facilitator list

   RVO keeps the current list of facilitators for the Start-up residence route. Use that page as the authority for status. A startup programme, incubator or mentor is not automatically a facilitator for this residence permit.

   Do this: Open the RVO list and note the organisations that are currently listed.

   Processing time

   At the start of your search, and again before you sign

   Common mistake: Do not rely on an old article, a historical list or a provider's own claim as proof of current facilitator status.

   Official source

   RVO · Official facilitator list and facilitator conditions
3. 3

   Shortlist for fit, not just official status

   RVO status tells you that the organisation meets the facilitator conditions. It does not tell you whether its programme is the right fit for your startup. Compare the type of companies it supports, the stage it works with, the support it offers, location or attendance expectations and its intake process.

   Do this: Make a small shortlist and write one sentence for each organisation explaining why your startup appears to fit.

   Documents needed

   • Your sector and business model
   • Current stage and traction
   • The support you need most

   Processing time

   Before first contact

   Common mistake: Being on the RVO list does not mean a facilitator will accept your startup.

   Official source

   RVO · Facilitator role and current list
4. 4

   Prepare a clear first-contact pack

   A facilitator needs enough context to judge whether your startup and its support needs fit the programme. Keep the first contact compact: what you are building, what is innovative, who is building it, what stage you are at, why the Netherlands matters and what support you are looking for.

   Do this: Prepare a short pitch deck or one-page summary and adapt the opening message to each facilitator.

   Documents needed

   • Short pitch deck or one-page company summary
   • Founder background or CV
   • Innovation explanation
   • Current stage, traction or validation
   • Why the Netherlands
   • Support needs

   Processing time

   Before outreach

   Common mistake: Do not send a large generic dossier before you know what the facilitator asks for in its intake process.

   Official source

   IND · Innovation and step-by-step plan requirements
5. 5

   Ask how the relationship will work before you commit

   The facilitator is expected to provide support tailored to the startup's needs. Before you sign, understand the programme, who will work with you, what support is included, how often you meet, what the intake timeline is and what commercial terms apply.

   Do this: Ask for the support package, programme expectations, timing and commercial terms in writing.

   Documents needed

   • Programme or proposal from the facilitator
   • Draft commercial terms if provided

   Cost

   Varies by facilitator. Check fees, equity or other conditions before you sign.

   Processing time

   Before signing the cooperation agreement

   Common mistake: Do not treat the residence requirement as a reason to accept terms you have not understood.

   Official source

   RVO · Facilitator role and conditions
6. 6

   Verify the status again and sign the cooperation agreement

   The Start-up residence route requires the cooperation between you and the facilitator to be recorded in a signed agreement. Before signing, check that the organisation is still on the live RVO list and that the agreement matches the support and terms you discussed.

   Do this: Recheck the RVO list, sign the cooperation agreement, keep a copy and continue with the full Start-up residence application.

   Continue with the Founder Residence Journey

   Documents needed

   • Signed cooperation agreement
   • Facilitator details needed for the residence application

   Processing time

   Before submitting the Start-up residence application

   Common mistake: Do not submit the Start-up residence application assuming the facilitator can be added later.

   Official source

   RVO · Signed agreement and facilitator conditions

• A short pitch deck or one-page company summary
• Founder background or CV
• A clear explanation of what is innovative about the product, service or way of working
• Current stage, traction or evidence of validation
• A short explanation of why the Netherlands is relevant to the company
• An outline of the support you need from a facilitator

• Commercial terms vary by facilitator. Ask for programme fees, equity or other conditions in writing before you sign.

Choose the facilitator and put the cooperation in a signed agreement before the Start-up residence application is submitted. The facilitator is part of the residence route, not a step to add after the application.

Requirements depend on your situation. Check the latest requirements with the relevant authority.

• Relying on a provider's own website instead of checking the current RVO list
• Confusing a startup facilitator with an IND recognised sponsor
• Contacting every facilitator with the same generic pitch instead of checking sector and programme fit
• Signing before you understand the support package, commercial terms and what the facilitator expects from you
• Waiting until the rest of the residence application is finished before starting facilitator outreach

• Open the live RVO list and make a small shortlist based on fit
• Prepare one clear outreach pack you can adapt for each facilitator
• Ask about intake, support, timing and commercial terms before signing
• After you have an agreement, continue through the full Founder Residence Journey