April 29, 2022

Top entrepreneurs, talent and investors in conversation with an astronaut, prince and entrepreneurial DJ

ROTTERDAM - From May 31 to June 2, Upstream returns to Rotterdam for the third consecutive year. Upstream brings together changemakers to work together on positive social impact and the new economy. Keynote speakers Duncan Stutterheim, André Kuipers and Constantijn van Oranje-Nassau will engage with participants this year on the new economy with topics such as: Capital, Talent and Growth. Rotterdam will be the Mecca of innovative entrepreneurship for three days.

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Photo: Bart Heemskerk, Upstream edition 2021, from left to right Lars Crama, Vincent Karremans, Pieters Schoen, Constantijn van Oranje- Nassau, presenter: Melissa Ablett-Jordaan

Duncan Stutterheim, André Kuipers and Constantijn van Oranje-Nassau

This year, Upstream is focusing on the themes of Capital, Talent & Growth. Through a variety of workshops, debates and networking moments, talent, entrepreneurs, investors and innovations will be connected. Among others, this year's more than 2,500 participants will be able to talk with Duncan Stutterheim (co-founder of festival giant ID&T), astronaut André Kuipers and tech innovator Constantijn van Oranje-Nassau. Together, the speakers will touch on topics such as deep tech, sustainability, investing in cultural landmarks and "galactic entrepreneurship.

"The three speakers are among the most inspiring and forward-thinking professionals in the Netherlands and attract a large number of applications from entrepreneurs and top talent. The three-day event is therefore a hotspot of influential entrepreneurs; attracting capital investment, forming startups and making valuable connections." Thus Lars Crama, private lead Upstream

40 city events

In addition to the main program, more than 40 city events will take place across the city. The initiative - co-sponsored by the municipality of Rotterdam, Schiedam, Delft, the Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland (RVO) the Rabobank, KPN and ICOS - focuses on developing and improving the entrepreneurial climate and accelerating innovation in the Greater Rijnmond region.

Access to top talent and investors

In addition to the energetic atmosphere and inspiring workshops, Upstream also offers its attendees access to a network of 90+ investors and a pool of nearly 400 top talent.

'The festival has grown rapidly in the past two years and doesn't seem to be stopping here. With more and more innovative startups setting the course for entrepreneurial Holland, there is a need for a centralized event where the top Dutch startups come together. That's Upstream in a nutshell," said Lars Crama, private lead Upstream.