Startup Liaison Officers: a Bridge to Success
Last checked on: 28 August 2025
Startup and scale-up companies are increasing in number. Their rising influence in the global economy means more services are now available to them. The government of the Netherlands wants to continue its support of Dutch and foreign startups and scale-ups and strengthen the Netherlands' position as the global leader for startup and scale-up ecosystems.
Startup Liaison Officers (SLOs) are part of the Dutch diplomatic network in New York, San Francisco, Singapore, London, Berlin, and Paris. Selected by the Netherlands' Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2019, their goal is to support Dutch startups and scale-ups to expand abroad. In doing so, the SLOs draw international attention to the Dutch startup ecosystem and strengthen the Netherlands' appeal to foreign companies, talent, and investors.
To support the companies, SLOs organise trade missions, startup events, and networking opportunities. They also connect startups and scale-ups with potential trading partners, customers, and investors, and work together with the Dutch startup ecosystems.
Who are the Startup Liaison Officers?
USA West Coast
Peter Jan Kok
Peter Jan is one of our Startup Liaison Officers and can assist you with expanding your startup to the West Coast of the United States.
You can contact Peter Jan via email: peterjan.kok@minbuza.nl.
USA East Coast
Jorn Poldermans
Jorn is one of our Startup Liaison Officers and can assist you with expanding your startup to the East Coast of the United States.
You can contact Jorn via email: jorn.poldermans@minbuza.nl.
Singapore
Gabby van Herpt
Gabby is one of our Startup Liaison Officers and can assist you with expanding your startup to Singapore.
You can contact Gabby via email: gabby-van.herpt@minbuza.nl.
Germany
Eva Vergles
Eva is one of our Startup Liaison Officers and can assist you with expanding your startup to Germany.
You can contact Eva via email: eva.vergleskooistra@minbuza.nl.
France
Marine Bordenave
Marine is one of our Startup Liaison Officers and can assist you with expanding your startup to France.
You can contact Marine via email: marine.bordenave@minbuza.nl.
United Kingdom
Lieke Conijn
Lieke is one of our Startup Liaison Officers and can assist you with expanding your startup to the UK.
You can contact Lieke via email: lieke.conijn@minbuza.nl.
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy
