Updates
Check out the latest news about Upstream Festival.

South Holland: A startup powerhouse
The Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Index 2025 confirms what founders and investors already know: South Holland is one of the most powerful startup regions in the Netherlands.

Startup and Scaleup Founders Get-Together
On October 16th, we invite founders and C-level executives of innovative, scalable, and fast-growing startups and scale-ups from all over The Netherlands & beyond to join us for a casual get-together. Share your wins, challenges, setbacks.

Exploring the Intersection of Biotechnology and Machine Learning at Cradle
The convergence of biotechnology and machine learning is creating new opportunities for innovation. Cradle, a forward-thinking company, exemplifies this trend by harnessing the potential of AI to address complex biological challenges.

Pre-Registration for Upstream 2026 is now open
The next edition of Upstream Festival in Rotterdam is taking place at 21 May 2026 – be the first to know when the ticket sales open.

Founders, talk to us: Help shape Upstream 2026
If there’s one thing we’ve learned from six editions of Upstream, it’s this: the best ideas don’t just happen on stage – they come from the people building things.

Exploring the Future of Arctic Sea Ice Restoration
At Upstream Festival, industry leaders gathered to discuss an urgent issue: the restoration of Arctic sea ice and its impact on climate change. Fonger Ypma, founder and CEO of Arctic Reflections, shared his insights on innovative strategies

The Rise of Femtech: Empowering Women's Health Through Technology
Femtech emerges as a transformative force. By leveraging technology, we can address the unique health needs of women, empower autonomy over their bodies, and create a healthier society.

Insights from Ferdinand Grapperhaus at Upstream Festival: Navigating Market Pivots
During the recent Upstream Festival, Ferdinand Grapperhaus, CEO of NextSense, shared invaluable insights into the dynamics of market pivots and strategic hiring.

A Funding Perspective on the Energy Transition: Insights from Industry Leaders
Securing funding is often one of the most challenging aspects for founders. During the recent Upstream Festival, Daniel Sordi and Bertrand van Leersum shared valuable insights