Google, Apple, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Dropbox, Uber, Airbnb etcetera. At one time they were all start-ups, but have grown to become organizations with
an economic, social and cultural impact that is unequalled. This research includes several projects on the subject of what we in The Netherlands can learn from this mecca. We aim to pass some of the characteristic ‘Silicon Passion’ onto the students.
Earlier this year professors Peter Ester and Arne Maas published their book Silicon Valley: Planet Start-up. Disruptive Innovation, Passionate Entrepreneurship & High-tech Start-ups including a preface written by our Prime Minister Mark Rutte. In order to write this book, 25 start-ups in Silicon Valley were interviewed who are trying to make it in an area no larger than our Randstad area. They have developed a model that explains the success of Silicon Valley based on an approach emphasizing the ecosystem.