Investments in startups in the Netherlands have fallen 15% so far this year, according to new figures from the Dutch Startup Association.

The number of deals signed in the first nine months of the year reached 258, compared with 304 in the same period in 2023, the figures show, and this is worrying the sector.

In particular, pre-seed investments have been lagging and this “could have” consequences for longer term investors, the researchers say. The number of deals in Q3 is at the lowest level since 2021.

“The decline would appear to be a downturn in angel investments,” Lucien Burm, chairman of the Dutch Startup Association said. “We have been calling for measures to stimulate these investments for years. Our surrounding countries are booking successes with such measures.”

In financial terms, some €2 billion has been invested in Dutch startups and scale-ups so far this year, compared with €1.3 billion in the same period last year. “With a quarter still to go, 2024 is likely to be a good year for investment in Dutch startups,” the DSA said.