Meet the Dutch technology leaders presenting at the TNW Conference.

      As our favorite Dutch holiday nears, TNW is honoring the tech giants that are influencing the future in the Netherlands. Our cherished home country boasts a remarkable array of digital talent. It has pioneered cultivated meat, helped Booking.com become the globe’s largest online travel agency, and delighted in ASML’s growth into Europe’s most valuable tech firm.

      This group also includes a talented lineup of startups and scaleups. Despite facing economic challenges, geopolitical instability, and questionable government policies in recent years, Dutch tech continues to excel. Just last month, the Netherlands was ranked 10th in a global tech competitiveness index — surpassing every G7 nation.

      The country features a distinguished roster of tech pioneers. Many will be present at TNW Conference — and you could be there too. In a wave of patriotic spirit (and perhaps a touch of Dutch courage), we are offering an extensively generous discount on tickets in celebration of Koningsdag — the King’s Day, marked by an orange-themed celebration of the monarch’s birthday.

      The 💜 of EU tech brings you the latest updates from the EU tech landscape, insights from our seasoned founder Boris, and some questionable AI artwork. It’s free and arrives in your inbox weekly. Sign up now! The details of this offer can be found at the bottom of this article. First, we’d like to introduce eight Dutch tech leaders who will be gracing the stages of TNW Conference on June 19 and 20.

      1. **Peter Wennink**

      A stalwart in Dutch tech, Peter Wennink has guided chip powerhouse ASML to become Europe’s top-valued tech entity. In his 25-year tenure at the Veldhoven-based firm — with over ten years as CEO — ASML distinguished itself as the world’s sole supplier of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines, essential for fabricating the most advanced chips. These technologies have driven innovations across various sectors, from iPhones and MacBooks to autonomous vehicles and Nvidia GPUs. At TNW, Wennink will participate in a special session titled “Gods of Industry: The Battle for Deep Tech Dominance” alongside Young Sohn, founding managing partner of Walden Catalyst Ventures, a venture capital fund focused on deep tech. Together, they will provide insights into a future that many struggle to envision. “It's tough for humanity to predict the impact of exponentiality as it often brings forth seemingly impossible outcomes,” Wennink told TNW. “Yet, that’s precisely what science and deep tech will create — making the impossible a reality.”

      2. **Vidya Peters**

      As the CEO of Dutch unicorn DataSnipper, Vidya Peters has overseen the company becoming the Netherlands' fastest-growing tech enterprise for two consecutive years. Under her guidance, DataSnipper has emerged as a global player in audit and finance automation, with over 500,000 users in more than 125 countries. After sharpening her skills in Silicon Valley, Peters became a strong proponent of European tech. She encourages startups and scaleups to build on the continent’s strengths rather than simply imitating US models, emphasizing sustainable long-term growth. “Five years ago, profitability wasn’t very trendy,” Peters remarked to TNW. “But the European perspective favors this approach, making it highly valued in today’s economic landscape.” At TNW Conference, she will share her insights in a session titled “AI’s Big Glow-Up: Generating Ideas, Innovation, and Impact.”

      3. **Daan Klein Douwel**

      Also joining Peters in her session is Daan Klein Douwel, head of data and AI at KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, one of the Netherlands’ largest companies. Klein Douwel is at the forefront of harnessing AI and data for KLM’s operations. The airline has integrated these technologies in various ways, from automating customer service responses to forecasting hand luggage volumes and reducing food waste. He will provide practical insights regarding AI implementation on the TNW stage.

      4. **Robert Doornbos**

      The Netherlands is home to reigning four-time Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen, and Robert Doornbos is renowned for paving the way for Verstappen’s achievements. A former F1 and Indycar driver for teams like Jordan and Red Bull Racing — Verstappen’s own team — Doornbos was also the last driver for Minardi. Today, he is a noted F1 analyst. His experience in motorsports has granted him unique perspectives on vehicle technology, and he will discuss the future of mobility at TNW Conference in a talk titled “The Road Ahead: Driving Innovation and Sustainability.”

      5. **Jacqueline van den Ende**

      Jacqueline van den Ende is significantly influencing impactful business ventures as the co-founder and CEO of Carbon Equity, an investment platform aiming to unlock private capital to tackle climate change — one of the globe’s most pressing issues. Recently, the platform announced raising €105 million for its Climate Tech Portfolio Fund III. “Despite current