This summer, the Chicago Agrifood Scaleup Program brought together Dutch scaleups and the vibrant agrifood ecosystem of the Midwest over the course of a six week market entry program. Pacha de Cacao, Source.ag, Dutch Lion, Skytree, GreenAnt, and Cano-ela explored tradeshows like #Cultivate24 and #IFTFirst, and immersed themselves in the region's dynamic agriculture and food systems through company visits, roundtable conversations with investors and industry leaders at Rabobank and the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, along with plenty of networking opportunities. Hear about their journey from the participants and the lessons it held for other agfood entrepreneurs looking at the US. If nothing else, their experience is proof that we must continue exploring opportunities for agrifood innovators from the Netherlands in the Midwest, as two global capitals of innovation helping to feed the world. The program was made possible through great partners like InnovationQuarter, Rotterdam Partners, Invest-NL, Foodvalley NL, citizenM hotels, Foodbytes by Rabobank, Tony's Chocolonely, World Business Chicago, Netherlands Agricultural Network, and handelsroute.nl. Tomas Geurts | Andreea Bota | Meemee Ploem | Jeroen Beekman | Denise Kusse | Kelly Pickreign | Vincent van der Gaag | Juliana Romero Guzmán, Ph.D. | Camille Hanna | Marika van Santvoort | Trevor Terry |
Consulate General of the Netherlands in Chicago
International Trade and Development
Chicago, Illinois 2,388 followers
Representing the economic interests of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the Midwest
About us
The Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Chicago is the official diplomatic representation of the Netherlands in the Midwest. Primarily an economic mission, the Consulate General promotes the economic interests of the Netherlands and Dutch business in the Midwest. The economic partnership between the Netherlands and the Midwest supports more than 150,000 jobs in the region, and millions of Midwesterners claim Dutch heritage. Our mission is to further strengthen those bilateral trade, investment, and cultural relations with the aim of increasing sustainable economic growth, shared security, and transatlantic innovation. The CG also provides consular services to Dutch citizens, organizes cultural exchange, and promotes the image of the Netherlands in the 13 states it covers (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin). The CG is also co-located with an office of the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency, the Dutch government agency focused on helping international companies to successfully grow in the Netherlands, the gateway to Europe. What can we do for you? We aim to help Dutch companies grow their business in the Midwest. Be it informing you about the unique business aspects of the major economic hubs in our region or connecting you to experts, we're happy to advise you on business opportunities and share best practices and cultural insights. Through our strong network in the US we can connect you to relevant partners here. Moreover, we can point you towards service providers, lawyers and local organizations to provide you a soft landing. Are you a Dutch entrepreneur interested in expanding to the US Midwest? Please reach out to our economic team at [email protected].
- Website
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https://twitter.com/NLinChicago
External link for Consulate General of the Netherlands in Chicago
- Industry
- International Trade and Development
- Company size
- 11-50 employees
- Headquarters
- Chicago, Illinois
- Type
- Government Agency
- Founded
- 1870
- Specialties
- Trade promotion, Trade policy, Innovation, Investment, Food, Agriculture, Smart cities, Startups, Water management, E-Health, Smart mobility, Manufacturing, Market access, Networking, biotech, International Trade, The Netherlands, Midwest, USA, Industry 4.0, and Water Technology
Locations
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Primary
303 E. Wacker Dr.
Suite 2600
Chicago, Illinois 60601, US
Employees at Consulate General of the Netherlands in Chicago
Updates
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We’re excited to share De Oversteek podcast episode that shines a spotlight on Chicago - the Windy City, a thriving hub for entrepreneurs across healthcare, technology, and agriculture. Though the episode is in Dutch, its content is incredibly relevant to anyone interested in international business and cultural exchange. In this episode, you'll hear from: > Willemijn Schneyder, CEO of SwipeGuide, who has successfully expanded her software solutions into the US market, generating 80% of her revenue from the US. > Kirsten Leenaars, an interdisciplinary video artist and art teacher who has called Chicago home for the past 20 years, sharing her perspective on the city’s cultural scene. > Deputy Consul General Jeroen Beekman, providing valuable insights into the business opportunities and market dynamics in Chicago and the surrounding region. > And for a touch of humor, comedian Greg Shapiro gives a virtual tour of Boom Chicago in Amsterdam, highlighting Chicago’s rich stand-up comedy legacy. https://lnkd.in/g7c9tPu3
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In addition to the manufacturing trade mission in Chicago this week, while at McCormick Place today Consul General Eric Strating stopped by the booths of the Dutch exhibitors at #IMTS2024. Innovative, fast, and precise, don’t miss the Dutch exhibitors if you’re at IMTS - International Manufacturing Technology Show this week: > CEAD Group: large scale 3D printers, booth 432430 (and CEO @Lucas Janssen will speak on a panel on Friday about New Additive Manufacturing Processes) > IAC Geometrical Engineers: advanced measuring instruments, booth 134066 > IHI Hauzer Techno Coating: innovative plasma coating systems, booth 432283 > Thomas Regout International: ball bearing slides and telescopic sliding solutions, booth 135684 > Additive Industries: cutting-edge industrial 3D metal printers for the aerospace, automotive, high-tech, & energy sector, booth 433104
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𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐌𝐓𝐒 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐠𝐨 There will be a strong orange hue at #IMTS2024, which kicks off tomorrow in Chicago. We're bringing a terrific group of Dutch companies, together with handelsroute.nl and the Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (BOM). Manufacturing in the Netherlands is defined by automation, efficiency, and precision—attributes embodied by the innovative solutions these companies bring to the table. Don't miss them while they're in town,, reach out to us or the companies directly to get connected. Additive Industries: industrial 3D printing systems for the aviation, space, automotive, energy, industrial and high-tech equipment industries. Stop by their booth in the 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 3, booth number 433104. AM-Flow: automation solutions for the industrial 3D printing process, experts in 3D-shape identification using industrial machine vision, robotics, and AI software. Oxycom: ultra-efficient natural cooling systems for production facilities Prodrive: designer and manufacturer of mission-critical products, providing highly engineered solutions in high-tech electronics, software, and mechatronic products and systems. Starnus: AI platform tailored for seamless automation and robotics integration in production and logistics environments. StyliCleaner: fast and automated cleaning for coordinate measuring machine probes Supplyingparts: high-tech outsourced manufacturing of high-end manufactured and fabricated parts for tools, assemblies, equipment and machines. VB-Airsuspension: a leading consultancy, developer, and supplier of (air) suspension systems for light to medium-heavy commercial vehicles.
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Consul General Eric Strating and the team hopped on a bike over the weekend to help Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Active Transportation Alliance Executive Director Amy Rynell kick off the Active Transportation Alliance's #BiketheDrive on Sunday. Opening up DuSable Lake Shore Drive to tens of thousands of cyclists every Labor Day Weekend, Bike The Drive highlights biking as a clean, affordable & fun mode of transport. Chicagoans increasingly recognize the potential of biking as a sustainable, fast, and healthy mode of transportation—the city has seen the highest growth in cycling of any major US city over the last five years. Last year, the Chicago Department of Transportation released an ambitious update to the Chicago Cycling Strategy, which aims to implement 150 miles of new bikeways over the next few years using a neighborhood network approach. Cycling is a key part of Dutch culture today, but it took years of work to get there. Thanks to those decades of work, the Netherlands now has deep experience planning bike infrastructure for flat, windy waterfront areas (...sound familiar?). We look forward to partnering with, encouraging, and learning from Chicago as cycling continues to grow in the Midwest.
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Consul General Eric Strating and Deputy CG Jeroen Beekman visited Dutch financial trading firm Optiver at the their US HQ in Chicago in last week. Did you know that Chicago is the capital of the American trading system of derivatives, options, & other sophisticated financial instruments? To tap into that ecosystem, an innovative group of Dutch financial companies like Optiver together employ nearly 1,000 people in the Chicago area. 🇳🇱🇺🇸
The American Midwest has a lot to offer to Dutch companies, including in the financial sector, where a diverse group of Dutch financial firms employ nearly 1,000 people in the Chicago area. Last week, together with Jeroen Beekman of Nederlands Consulaat Generaal in Chicago, I visited Optiver, a Dutch proprietary trading firm working to make financial markets more efficient. The company was founded in Amsterdam in 1986, with Chicago the natural next step for its North American expansion—the city is the heart of the US options and derivatives trading system, specializing in sophisticated financial instruments. Optiver traders even still trade on a live trading floor at the Cboe Global Markets. A fascinating visit to a strong example of Dutch ingenuity and innovation in the Midwest.
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In the beginning of August the Consulate General welcomed our new intern, Cheyenne Fiene, who just finished a degree in law. Over the course of her internship, she’s looking forward to gaining practical knowledge of how international trade laws are implemented and navigated within the context of diplomatic and economic relations. Cheyenne is particularly interested in learning how trade policies are formulated and adapted to address contemporary challenges and opportunities, such as trade disputes, regulatory standards, and market access issues. When she returns to the Netherlands in February, Cheyenne will begin a master’s degree in International Trade & Investment Law. Even though she has only been in Chicago for a few weeks, Cheyenne has been exploring the city and enjoying it immensely. From attending baseball games and comedy shows to swimming in the lake and marveling at the skyline, she is already making the most of her time in the Windy City. She looks forward to contributing to the Consulate General’s efforts in strengthening trade relations between the Netherlands and the United States—a partnership that brings security and prosperity to both sides of the Atlantic—and we’re delighted to have her here. Welcome Cheyenne!
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Last week we were proud to host a delegation of researchers from the Netherlands who participated in the IASSIDD 2024 Congress in Chicago. The Dutch approach towards improving health and healthcare for people with intellectual disabilities by integrating research, education and patient care is often an example that the rest of the world looks to—and the impressive turnout from the Netherlands reflects those strong global research ties. Inspiring to have them at the CG to learn more about their approach to inclusive research. Academische werkplaats Sterker op eigen benen | Radboudumc | Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the USA
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𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐌𝐓𝐒 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐠𝐨 Manufacturing innovation in the Netherlands is defined by automation, efficiency, and precision, and with those attributes in mind we're delighted to announce the delegation of nine organizations who will be joining us for a trade mission to the IMTS - International Manufacturing Technology Show next month in Chicago. The goal of this smart manufacturing trade mission, organized together with handelsroute.nl, is to build connections between the innovative Dutch ecosystem and the massive, growing US manufacturing sector. From 8-12 September we will visit the #IMTS2024 trade show, as well as touring local manufacturers and hosting networking events. The delegation, specifically focused on production automation, additive manufacturing, and digitization, includes: Additive Industries: industrial 3D printing systems for the aviation, space, automotive, energy, industrial and high-tech equipment industries AM-Flow: end-to-end automation solutions for the industrial 3D printing process, with an expertise in 3D-shape identification using industrial machine vision, robotics, and AI software. Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (BOM): As an executive body of the Province of Brabant and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy BOM supports startups to scale up and go global. Oxycom: ultra-efficient natural cooling systems for production facilities Prodrive: designer and manufacturer of mission-critical products, providing highly engineered solutions in high-tech electronics, software, and mechatronic products and systems. Starnus: AI platform tailored for seamless automation and robotics integration in production and logistics environments. StyliCleaner: fast and automated cleaning for coordinate measuring machine probes Supplyingparts: high-tech outsourced manufacturing of high-end manufactured and fabricated parts for tools, assemblies, equipment and machines. VB-Airsuspension: a leading consultancy, developer, and supplier of (air) suspension systems for light to medium-heavy commercial vehicles. If you are interested in meeting members of the Dutch delegation or getting involved with the mission while they're in Chicago, don’t hesitate to reach out. This mission is supported by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency and Brainport Development. Eric Strating | Jeroen Beekman | James Grizzell | @Cheyenne Fiene | Menno Schrok | Ka Keung | Mark Koppers | Johann Beelen | Sandra Brandenburg | Fae van der Jagt
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It was great to bring the innovative Dutch companies from our Chicago AgriFood Scaleup Program to Rabobank Wholesale Banking North America's Chicago office to explore the US investment landscape with Foodbytes by Rabobank. Expertise in food and agriculture R&D, innovation, commercialization, and financing is a strength shared by both the Netherlands and Chicago—it's always inspiring to bring experts from these world-leading ecosystems together. 🇳🇱🌱🚜🇺🇸
As part of our customized partnership with Consulate General of the Netherlands in Chicago, we hosted six Dutch scaleups at the Rabobank Wholesale Banking North America Chicago office for an interactive panel on the US F&A startup investment landscape. Speakers included Foodbytes members Fabian Gosselin P. of Cleveland Avenue, Shayna Harris of Supply Change Capital and Rabobank's Adam Wilson. Key Takeaways: 1. 📈 Macro Funding Landscape: There's strong optimism for the second half of 2024. Startups should focus on business fundamentals to best position for 2025 raises and develop regular investor communications to show discipline and progress. 2. 🤝 Corporate Partnerships: Lean on your investors for direct connections to their corporate networks. Evaluate potential collaborations by how they will support your core business strategy or help your investors achieve the ROI they're expecting. Corporates are more open to new collaboration models like licensing, JVs and LP investments. 3. 🌍 Geographic Expansion: Contextualize your expansion plans with clear rationale and growth/revenue data. Some tech doesn't travel well—ensure your solution will fit into the market, culturally and practically. Cano-ela Dutch Lion GreenAnt Pacha de Cacao Skytree Source.ag