At Upstream, the Rotterdam Metropolitan area transforms into a place where startups, scale-ups, investors, corporates, policymakers, and students come together to make a positive impact on the world. Upstream aims to enable innovations that will drive the transition to the next economy; an economy that is digital, carbon-neutral, circular and inclusive.
What is Upstream Rotterdam?
Upstream is a three-day event, co-created with over 40 partners dedicated to supporting the growth of companies committed to accelerating the transition to a future-proof economy that is digital, carbon-neutral, circular, and inclusive. The festival gives its attendees access to an international ecosystem of talent, funding, markets, and exposure opportunities. As changemakers from different backgrounds and industries come together to leverage their innovations, they highlight the position of the Greater Rotterdam Metropolitan Area as a fast-evolving tech environment for businesses to grow.
The next edition of Upstream Rotterdam takes place on 23-25 May 2023.
3 days, 40 co-creators, and countless reasons to join
Every year, Upstream invites the Dutch innovation community, as well as international corporations and investors, resulting in over 45 different events happening throughout the festival. Past editions attracted over 2000 attendees. Every edition of Upstream Festival continues the tradition of aligning its core events around three themes: talent, capital, and growth.
"The three speakers are among the most inspiring and progressive professionals in the Netherlands and draw a large number of applications from entrepreneurs and top talent. The three-day event is therefore a hotspot of influential entrepreneurs; capital investments are attracted, startups are formed, and valuable connections are made," says Lars Crama, private lead Upstream
Lars Crama at Upstream Festival Rotterdam 📷 Bart Heemskerk
Upstream 2023 details
Starting with Talent Day on May 23rd, city events, career fairs, coding challenges, and other networking events will be an invaluable opportunity for startups, scale-ups, and talent to meet each other.
On Capital Day the program will revolve around connecting startups and scale-ups with leading (inter)national investors.
The festival will close with a focus on Growth, on May 25th. During this last day, innovative SMEs, corporate partners, startups, and scale-ups will connect to create solutions for a future-proof economy.