Fostering Ecosystems for Entrepreneurs: Dutch Best Practices in Focus 

Resilient local economies rely on environments where professionals can develop business ideas, access practical guidance, and receive support from a network of experienced peers. When people have access to knowledge, finance, partnerships, and institutions that understand their needs, they can start businesses and create jobs, increase local income, and strengthen social cohesion in their local context. To support local economic growth, local governments are increasingly looking beyond support for individual businesses and focusing on the wider ecosystem around them. 

In the Netherlands, there is strong support for entrepreneurs in cities like Amsterda, The Hague, and Delft. Two organisations that were part of the Shiraka Ecosystems for Entrepreneurs programme in 2025, showcase how such ecosystems can work in practice. TU Delft Centre for Entrepreneurship as well as PUM support entrepreneurs with knowledge, coaching, networks, and connections to relevant partners.

In 2025, a group of professionals from the Middle East and North Africa explored how PUM supports ecosystems for entrepreneurs internationally during a study visit, as part of the Shiraka Ecosystems for Entrepreneurs training programme. Photo credits: The Hague Academy

TU Delft supports its students in realising their projects

Linked to TU Delft, the Netherlands’ most renowned technical university, the Delft Centre for Entrepreneurship supports 800 students each year in developing and launching their own technology-based firms and venture projects within established organisations. Students learn how to recognise opportunities, test ideas, work in teams, engage with external actors, and present their business concepts in masterclasses and workshops.

And this support goes beyond the classroom. TU Delft connects students to entrepreneurship coaches and to a wider ecosystem that includes initiatives such as YES!Delft, Delft Enterprises and the Impact Studio. These platforms help budding ideas move closer to their realisation by offering coaching, pitching opportunities, links to research institutes, and access to national and international networks.

PUM connects small businesses to international experts

PUM asupports the practical needs of small and medium-sized enterprises. PUM experts collaborate on a voluntary basis with entrepreneurs and business support organisations in 30 countries across Africa, South-East Asia, and South America. PUM’s senior PMEL officer, Rens Rutten highlights that strong ecosystems are built on relationships and trust: Beyond access to finance, entrepreneurs often need concrete guidance from experienced experts. This can include support on productivity, quality, financial management, marketing, or business strategy. They also need stronger links with suppliers, buyers, sector associations, vocational training institutes, research institutes, and regulatory bodies.

Rens Rutten recommends that “governments seeking to strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems should invest in networks and platforms that connect entrepreneurs with relevant ecosystem actors, and facilitate bottom-up initiatives led by entrepreneurs and their associations. Strong entrepreneurial ecosystems are built on relationships and trust, rather than on top-down defined policy instruments.”

Mentoring and peer exchange are especially important. They help entrepreneurs to avoid reinventing the wheel, learn from others facing similar challenges, and make better decisions based on local experience.

“At PUM, we see mentoring and peer exchange as essential for a strong ecosystem. Exchange allows entrepreneurs to make better-informed decisions based on learnings from the local context, while also guiding business support organisations and other stakeholders on the most effective way to support these entrepreneurs beyond financial assistance.” – Rens Rutten, Senior PMEL Officer at PUM

In Zimbabwe’s Matabeleland region, Ebenezer Agricultural Training Centre prepares young people for careers in agriculture. With support from PUM and as part of the Sondelani ecosystem, trainers are strengthening their teaching methods to make learning more interactive, practical and impactful, enabling a new generation of agricultural entrepreneurs to grow. Photo credits: PUM

Entrepreneurial ecosystems need structure and relationships

In conclusion, knowledge institutions can contribute to developing skills and innovation. Organisations such as PUM can provide practical advice and connect entrepreneurs to wider networks. For local economic development practitioners, the lesson is clear: supporting entrepreneurship is about creating ecosystems where entrepreneurs can find the knowledge, support, and partnerships they need to grow.

Explore how local governments and development practitioners can support entrepreneurial ecosystems in their own contexts, in our course on Local Economic Development.

To find out more about PUM and their work, their annual report of 2025 shares more examples of how organisations and local governments can support entrepreneurs and strengthens business ecosystems.