A unique opportunity to meet and network with the hottest Amsterdam digital start ups in one of Europe’s key digital hubs.

Amsterdam is emerging as one of the main creative digital centres in Europe, identified by Wired as one of the top 10 tech start up cities and home to companies such as Layar and Booking.com.
The Creative Industries KTN will partner with PICNIC and the UK Science & Innovation Network in order to deliver a unique event in Amsterdam, on 21st and 22nd February 2012, exploring the creative landscape and making active business connections between the UK and Netherlands.

The event will mark the first in a series of collaborations between CIKTN and PICNIC throughout the year and will build on political contacts between the UK and Netherlands to drive economic connections, and which saw the Dutch Prime Minister visit London and Manchester with a group of digital businesses late last year.

Over the course of two days (pm 21st, am 22nd) attendees will hear case study presentations from high profile digital entrepreneurs, gain insight on two dynamic European marketplaces and participate in panel discussions contrasting the experiences of UK and Dutch digital start ups and exploring the landscape of European capital finance. On the evening of the 21st there will be a dinner hosted by the British Ambassador with a keynote presentation on future trends.

Importantly over the two days there will be a chance to network with like-minded digital businesses and instigate opportunities for commercial collaboration.

Who should attend:
The event will focus on start up media businesses with a concentration on digital technologies – whether communications, applications or services and ranging from social media to the distribution of digital content to software as a service.

Businesses will benefit from:

• An introduce to the vibrant German media marketplace (and wider European landscape), both through presentations and specifically commissioned research
• An introduction to the German finance network in order to understand current models and opportunities
• An opportunity to generate business potential through networking with German start ups and more established businesses 

The first 14 UK digital start ups to register their interest will receive a bursary of up to £250.00 towards the cost of travel and accommodation.

Event detail:
Date: 21st & 22nd February 2012
Time: 21st - 1400 > 1700 plus evening networking dinner hosted at British Ambassador’s Residence 22nd – 0930 > 1300
Location: De WaagNieuwmarkt 41012 CR, Amsterdam
Cost: FREE

Support: Bursaries of up to £250.00 to cover travel and accommodation costs are available to the first 14 digital start ups to apply (companies must less than 2 years old and able to articulate their potential in the European market).

Application: To register your interest in attending please apply here – places are limited. Final closing date will be 17th February 2012 but applying earlier will ensure your details are circulated amongst the Dutch attendees in order to set up one-to-one meetings.

For more information visit: www.creativeindustriesktn.org
Or contact: Mark Leaver CIKTN Producer mark@markleaver.net
Liesbeth Bouwhuis SIN Benelux liesbeth.buowhuis@fco.gov.uk