Dutch start-ups raised at least €62m from private equity companies and investors this year, according to research by the NRC.

The bulk of the investment – 62% – came from Dutch investors but US and British groups have also been heavily investing in new Dutch firms, the paper says.

For example, Dutch internet company Peerby, which helps users borrow items from their neighbours, said in October it had raised €1.7m from French investment house Xange, American incubator Techstars and publisher Sanoma, which first invested in the company two years ago.

Peerby, which began life under the Rockstart start-up accelerator scheme, plans to use the money to roll out its ideas in the US and hopes to have communities in 50 cities before the end of next year.

The NRC looked at 62 start-ups but admits its research is not exhaustive and that investments are often kept secret.

Definition

It defined a start-up as a company which was launched in 2010 or later and is based in the Netherlands. The company must also be involved in a new or innovative product and not yet have been taken over or floated on the stock exchange.

Companies involved in the medical or biotech sectors generated the most investment, averaging €3.5m.

Amsterdam has recently announced plans to become a European start-hub. The government has introduced a string of tax and other financial incentives to help start-ups get off the ground although these have been criticised for excessive bureaucracy.

Check out the NRC’s interactive start-up map