Last week, in partnership with ACE, we hosted two webinars for the Ankara Teknopark community, spotlighting two of Europe's most compelling destinations for Turkish startups ready to scale: the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

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Both markets offer exceptional opportunity. But they reward very different approaches. Here's what founders need to know before choosing their European launchpad.

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The Netherlands: Small Country, Big Opportunity

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The Netherlands is often the smartest first step into Europe due to its strategic position and accessibility.

It punches well above its weight as a launchpad for international growth. 95% of Europe's most lucrative markets sit within a 1,000 km radius. The country is ranked #1 globally for non-native English proficiency, consistently placed in the top 5 for competitiveness and innovation, and home to world-class logistics infrastructure through Schiphol Airport and the Port of Rotterdam.

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For founders building in AI, the Netherlands is particularly compelling: it ranks first in Europe for AI talent density, and second globally in quantum technology innovation.

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The ecosystem is particularly strong in Cyber, FinTech, Deeptech, Life Sciences, and Energy Transition, with each major hub having carved out a distinct vertical within that landscape.

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Do you need a Dutch entity to start?

Not necessarily. Many founders begin with a representative setup to test the market, build partnerships, and validate demand, without the immediate overhead of incorporation.

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A Dutch BV typically becomes relevant when:

• A customer or investor requires it
• You’re ready to hire locally
• You want to benefit from R&D tax incentives (which can be highly valuable)

For founders considering relocation, the Dutch Startup Visa offers a structured entry path. As a recognised facilitator, DutchBasecamp, together with ACE, can guide you through the process directly.

Read more about it here.

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What to expect from the market:

The Dutch ecosystem values patience and credibility above all. B2B sales cycles tend to be long, decisions are consensus-driven, and cold outreach rarely lands. On the other hand, warm introductions, genuine domain expertise, and consistent, trust-based relationship-building over time is valued.

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The United Kingdom: Europe’s English-Speaking Powerhouse

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The United Kingdom offers a different, but equally compelling route to scale.

As Europe's largest English-speaking market, the UK remains the continent's second-largest FDI destination. It combines global connectivity with deep capital pools and a fast, founder-friendly business environment. Company formation is quick, and access to investors is significantly broader than in most other European markets.

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The UK offers a competitive and innovation-friendly tax environment. Corporation tax is tiered to favour smaller, growing companies, and there are generous R&D relief schemes designed specifically for high-growth and research-intensive businesses. The UK also maintains an extensive network of bilateral tax treaties, protecting non-resident founders from double taxation.

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London is the natural hub for FinTech, AI, and SaaS, but the opportunity extends well beyond the capital. Strong regional clusters in life sciences, biotech, cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing mean the UK's tech footprint is genuinely national, with each region having developed a strong identity of its own.

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For Turkish founders, the Innovator Founder Visa remains the primary entry route, with a potential path to settlement in three years.

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Understanding the sales culture:

Unlike the Netherlands, UK business culture tends to be more hierarchical. Identifying the true decision-maker early is critical. Relationships still matter, but what builds trust here is professionalism, clarity, and a structured approach, from first contact to close.

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Ready to build your European strategy?

If you’re mapping out your European expansion and want to dive deeper into either country, we are here to help.

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Reach out directly:

• Netherlands: Masha Moisseyeva, Managing Director, DutchBasecamp
• United Kingdom: Richard Paydon, UK & Ireland Country Head, ACE