Young Business Award
The largest scale-up competition in the Netherlands.

The Young Business Award is an annual competition where promising start-ups and scale-ups compete for the title of ‘Best Young Company in the Netherlands.’ The event is broadcast on television and attracts national attention. The winner of the AFAS Young Business Award not only receives the title of ‘Best Young Company in the Netherlands’ but also gets professional support to raise growth capital from over 30 venture capital funds.

Young Media, as a proud partner of the Young Business Award, plays a key role in promoting and supporting this innovative competition, focusing on increasing the visibility and impact of these young enterprises.

As the main partner of the Young Business Award, Young Media brings its media expertise to the competition. This partnership highlights our commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and supporting the growth and development of young businesses in the Netherlands.

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Latest News about the Young Business Award

Young Venture Group and AFAS Young Business Award Join Forces for New Collaboration

The Young Business Award has grown over the past 10 years to become a significant player in the Dutch tech scene, with AFAS Young Business Award (YBA) as its flagship. In the coming years, the Young Venture Group (Young.) will join as a ‘main partner’ in the scale-up competition. The goal is to create even more impact in the world of startups and scale-ups together.

Wim de Jong (founder of Young Venture Group) is pleased with the collaboration: “This partnership is a great step for both organizations and a wonderful opportunity to expand our reach and inspire young entrepreneurs. Together, we can stimulate innovative ideas, encourage entrepreneurship, and help a new generation of startups transition to the scale-up phase.” Both parties have joined forces to support tech companies in achieving their growth ambitions. The founders had intersections when starting their organizations, especially in the early days of their names. “It’s quite a coincidence and nice that it’s coming together after so many years,” says Niels Palmers (founder & CEO of Young Business Award). “However, the collaboration is genuinely about substance. Our mission is to support and motivate startups and scale-ups to fully realize their growth potential. With Young Venture Group by our side, we can help even more founders by enhancing our platform and the impact of the YBA. Additionally, Young Venture Group can contribute as an investor to the participants.”

Wim de Jong: “Entrepreneurship is about seeing potential, taking risks, and taking action”

Due to his interest in the real estate market, Wim took his first steps in the sector in 2011. The ability to ‘make something out of nothing,’ think outside the box, and create opportunities came together during the development of new housing projects and transformations of vacant commercial real estate into hotels and new office concepts. This path led to the establishment of the versatile Young Venture Group, where Wim and his team, with a clear vision, pragmatic approach, and a great deal of enjoyment, start and participate in promising businesses. Wim knows better than anyone what it’s like to start and scale a business and understands how to steer the further development of a company through different growth phases and between peaks and valleys.

Start of Collaboration

The official start of the collaboration (along with the new partnership with AFAS, De Ondernemer, and a few new partners) will be celebrated on Thursday, September 7, during a special dinner event, where the new participants of the TV program will also be announced. Wim de Jong will return this year as a jury member in the four preliminary rounds. “I’m really looking forward to it. I’m very curious to see the wonderful companies that will be featured in the Young Business Award this year. Personally, I focus on real entrepreneurship, perseverance, and cleverness. A nice business model is one thing, but it doesn’t count for much. In my view, the success of a company primarily lies with the entrepreneur rather than the idea,” says Wim de Jong. Behind the scenes, preparations for this TV season are already in full swing. “This year, significant strides are being made with the TV production. In collaboration with a new producer, we are improving the TV program. There will also be a new presenter, whose identity will be revealed on Thursday, September 7,” says Thomas Nauw (founder & creative director of the Young Business Award). The recordings for the new TV season are scheduled for Wednesday, September 20. This is two weeks after the special dinner event where the 12 participants of the AFAS Young Business Award will be announced. “The first TV episode of this season will air on Sunday, November 12, at 5:30 PM on RTL-Z and the following day on Videoland.”