Trade mission for startups to CES 2026 Las Vegas

Dutch startup trade mission to CES 2026

The Netherlands will attend this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) with the latest and greatest from the Dutch startup scene.

Since its founding in 1967, CES has become the world's leading tech event. The global tech community gathers there every year.

CES 2025 attracted over 142,000 attendees from more than 161 nations and territories. CES Las Vegas is the perfect stepping stone for the latest tech innovations. It is also ideal for meeting investors, companies, customers and the media.

The trade mission's kickoff will take place at CES Unveiled Europe on 28 October 2025 in Amsterdam. Additionally, you will have access to our preparation programme, which includes coaching, PR support, and masterclasses.

This mission offers you a unique opportunity to showcase your innovation, get international attention and expand your market.

CES Unveiled Europe 

As a CES Las Vegas attendee, you will gain automatic access to CES Unveiled in Amsterdam. It is CES 2026 Las Vegas' official pre-event and media show. We will unveil the official delegation for the Dutch trade mission to CES 2026 at this unique event.

At CES Unveiled Europe, you will get many opportunities to present your startup to a broad audience of companies, business leaders, regional startup hubs, the media and investors.

CES Las Vegas: Eureka Park is 'the place to be'

Our Netherlands Tech Square pavilion is at Eureka Park. It is where the newest and most innovative Dutch startups present themselves to the world at CES.

For whom?

We select startups that fall within one of the De Nationale Technologiestrategie categories:

• Optical systems and integrated photonics
• Quantum technologies
• Process technology, including process intensification
• Biomolecular and cell technologies
• Imaging technologies
• Mechatronics and Opto-mechatronics
• Artificial intelligence and data science
• Energy materials
• Semiconductor technologies
• Cybersecurity technologies.

We also invite other innovative and ambitious startup companies to apply.

An independent jury will select companies based on the requirements below. Companies must also be approved by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), the organisation behind CES Las Vegas.

Requirements

You can attend if CTA approves your startup and meets these requirements:

• Your product fits within the area of interest determined by CTA.
• Your product represents one of the technologies within the listed categories. It must also distinguish the Netherlands internationally.
• Your product or service is innovative and disruptive.
• Your product is available to demonstrate a functioning business model.
• Your company has the ambition to scale up internationally in the short term.
• Your company meets CTA's additional requirements for startups attending the Eureka Park pavilion.

Fees

The participating fee for this startup mission is about €4,400, excluding VAT, per startup. The fee includes:

• access to CES Las Vegas;
• access to CES Unveiled in Amsterdam;
• access to the preparation sessions;
• stand rent in Las Vegas;
• stand construction in Las Vegas.

Travel and accommodation are at your own expense.

Stand rental and construction

The fee covers the rental and construction of a basic booth. However, if you need more chairs or an extra TV screen, you can arrange that via Export Partner for an additional fee. Export Partner handles the logistics for this year's trade mission to CES Las Vegas.

Subsidy

If you meet the requirements below, you can apply for a 50% subsidy for your participation fee. You will pay around €4,400 per startup if you do not meet the requirements.

You are eligible for a subsidy if you meet the following criteria:

• Your company is a Small or Medium-sized Enterprise (SME).
• The Consumer Technology Association has approved your company.

You must show a declaration of the De minimis aid when applying for a subsidy to which the De minimis regulation applies.

CES Innovation Awards

Every year, CES presents the  CES Innovation Awards for innovative, technologically advanced consumer electronics. Winners will benefit from extra attention and visibility during CES.

This contest is unique because CES presents the awards based on category. Therefore, startups and big tech companies have an equal chance to win a prize.

Do you want to compete for this award? Please read the requirements and apply. We can help you with your applications if needed.

NB: The fees for the CES Innovation Awards are your own expense.

Register

Register for this trade mission before 23 July 2025.

We will select up to 45 startups. We will notify you if you are selected to join the mission by the end of July.

Register

Women's entrepreneurship

We encourage women's entrepreneurship. We do not select participants based on gender. But we challenge you to look for women participants within your organisation to participate in this mission.

Organisers

RVO organises this mission on behalf of the Netherlands Ministry of Economic Affairs. We do this with the Netherlands Consulate-General in San Francisco and other public and private parties.

Responsible Business Conduct

The Dutch government emphasises responsible business conduct (RBC) and endorses the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. These guidelines state the RBC standards for internationally active entrepreneurs. Following the OECD guidelines is one condition for participation in this mission.

More information

For more information about this mission, please contact:

Recruitment and logistics:

Bernice Bockting
Project leader
Export Partner
Phone: +31615940195
Email: bernice@exportpartner.com

Guido Jacobs
Project leader
Export Partner
Phone: +31641614640
Email: guido@exportpartner.com

General information about the trade mission and CES:

Rik Roeske
Lead mission leader
Netherlands Enterprise Agency
Phone: +31625516714
Email: rik.roeske@rvo.nl

Maarten Schweers
Second mission leader
Netherlands Enterprise Agency
Phone: +31625515675
Email. maarten.schweers@rvo.nl

Visit the CES website for general information about the exhibition.