DUTCH NEW NARRATIVE LAB

DNNL UnConference 2026

Saturday, 24 January 2026

14:00-19:00 at Rabobank, Mondrian Tower, Amstelplein 6–8, 1096 BC Amsterdam

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Launchpad Programs

Are you an ambitious founder building a business that could impact thousands and bring about positive change?

Then DNNL has a Launchpad for you!

We offer a range of programs designed to empower diverse founders at every stage of their entrepreneurial journey.

Whether you're a first-time founder looking to take your startup to the next level, or an international founder looking to set up business in the Netherlands, DNNL Launchpad will provide access to Industry experts, peers, Investors, corporates, and the community you need to thrive in today's competitive landscape.

Join a community dedicated to inclusive innovation and purpose-driven growth.!

Next program coming soon!

  • The DNNL Early Stage Launchpad is designed to support aspiring entrepreneurs in the foundational phase of their venture.

  • The DNNL Social Innovators Launchpad empowers mission-driven entrepreneurs to create impactful, sustainable ventures that address societal challenges. Read more here.

  • The DNNL Relocate NL Launchpad supports international entrepreneurs looking to establish or grow their ventures in the Netherlands. Read more here.

Let me know when the next progam is open!

ABOUT DUTCH NEW NARRATIVE LAB

The Dutch New Narrative Lab (DNNL) initiative was developed from a Diversity Exploration commissioned by the Ministry of Economic Affairs & Climate in the Dutch startup ecosystem. The Exploration was conducted by serial tech entrepreneur, Investor and Multi-Board Member Ruben Brave, founder DNNL.

Get involved in creating a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem. For corporate partnership opportunities go here.

KEY FACT FINDINGS

  • Repeated test research by McKinsey and the Boston Consulting Group has shown that gender diverse companies outperform non-gender diverse companies by up to 25%, and ethnically diverse companies by up to 36%. This means that improved D&I in business leads to increased GDP growth.

  • Netherlands is moving away from it target concerning SDG 10, reduced inequalities.

  • Native Dutch citizens score highly, (above average) in 18 out of the 20 indicators of wellbeing whereas, Dutch citizens with a non-western background do not score highly on any of the wellbeing indicators and score poorly, (below average) in 17 out of the 20 indicators.

  • Entrepreneurship is a good pathway to improved wealth and wellbeing, allowing individuals to take ownership of their personal development giving them a sense of mastery and competence which is then accompanied by lower levels of work related stress.

  • 24.2% of the Dutch population has a migration background with 14.4% est. coming from majority non-white ethnicities.

  • Good workplace relationships and having a sense of belonging have been shown to be top priorities for talent when considering career changes, consistently ranking far above financial remuneration and even career progression.

Latest

  • 🌅 From Symbolism to Structural Repair: Dr.h.c. Linda Nooitmeer Joins as Ambassador of the New Narrative Fund

    On 1 June, at the start of Keti Koti month, Dutch New Narrative Lab (DNNL) welcomed Dr.h.c. Linda Nooitmeer as Ambassador of theNew Narrative Fund (NNF)—a fitting moment to move, in her own words, "from symbolism to structural repair," including in our economy. As former chair of NiNsee (2018–2025) and founder of DEEENI, Linda has put the Dutch slavery past firmly on the national agenda; through the NNF she now helps close the funding gap for underrepresented founders, connecting historical awareness to real access to capital, knowledge and networks. The Fund sits within a connected pathway—linking the Founder Launchpad Scholarship Fund, the VU–DNNL unAcademy (run with the VU Leadership Academy) and the New Economy Digital Skills Track—so that talent leads to knowledge, capital and lasting impact. Read the full announcement on LinkedIn.

    Special thanks to Patritia Pahladsingh (Accenture Song NL) for opening the NNF Syndicate Investor Pitch Pilot—and to Linda Nooitmeer for stepping into this role. Background reading: our report Inclusive Entrepreneurship & the Trans-Atlantic Slavery Legacy.

    Soon we'll announce our first partners financially committed to the Scholarship Fund and the Digital Skills Track. Founder, investor, foundation or partner interested in the NNF, unAcademy or Digital Skills Track? Reach out via connect@dnnl.org, or sign up for updates

  • 🇪🇺 Nearly 400 voices, one story: A New Narrative at the European table

    Ruben Brave, founder of Dutch New Narrative Lab (DNNL), presented “A New Narrative: Bottom-Up Approaches to Inclusive Entrepreneurship in the Netherlands” in Brussels—personally handing the report to Mario Nava, Director-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion at the European Commission, and discussing the findings with Jonathan Potter, Head of the OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, during the YEPA Summit 2025 co-hosted by the Commission and the OECD. Drawn from 23 roundtables and nearly 400 voices, the report distils what works—founder resilience, community-building, bridge-building and visible role models—showing how inclusion becomes an engine for innovation.

  • Speech Ruben Brave – Opening “750 Amsterdammers, één stad” - Stadstuin De Nederlandsche Bank

    Ruben Brave, founder DNNL, spoke at the official opening of the exhibition ‘750 Amsterdammers, één stad’ at De Nederlandsche Bank (the Dutch central bank) — highlighting how true innovation thrives on trust, inclusion, and shared purpose.
    In a personal and poetic moment, he described the Dutch capital ,Amsterdam, as “that meissie” — a Dutch colloquial term meaning “that girl” — evoking the city as a beloved yet vulnerable figure that deserves care, dignity, and protection.

  • "If the Netherlands wants to be an economic leader, enterprising women and migrants are urgently needed"

    Read the full article published August 4th, 2024 in the Volkskrant here.

  • Episode #44 Ruben Brave: 'We don't give each other enough here'

    Watch the interview with DNNL Founder Ruben Brave on Nieuwe Ankers — a new journalistic interview channel that seeks to gain a deep understanding of the major issues of our time.

  • DNNL x Social Enterprise NL Launchpad Demo Day

    We set out to ignite change and empower dreams— mission accomplished! 🚀

    Read all about the closing event at Amazon Amsterdam offices here

Our Mission

The mission of the DNNL Foundation is to improve access to innovative entrepreneurship for all underrepresented groups in the Dutch startup scene (e.g. women, people with a migration background, LGBTQ+, neurodiversity, but also scientists). DNNL aims to promote the hidden gem of diversity and inclusion in startups, scale-ups and corporate ventures in the Benelux and Germany with economic ties to the Dutch economy.

DNNL does essentially 3 things. First, it provides (I) an ecosystem monitor, a kind of "diversity & inclusion" thermometer for the NL startup world. Second (II) DNNL provides a "sales-driven" entrepreneurial lab, a breeding ground, in jargon an incubator, for entrepreneurs from both underrepresented and overrepresented groups who recognize the innovative power of diversity & inclusion and want to monetize it professionally. And third (III) DNNL is working with several partners to build a media platform; not only to increase the visibility of the entrepreneurs involved, but also to overturn the dominant standard image of the "innovative entrepreneur".

Download the Letter Here

Overview of past events

Letters of support

Contact

VU StartHub, De Boelelaan 1095-A
1081 HV  Amsterdam

Email
info@dnnl.org

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