Data Expo and Dutch Startup AI join forces

A market that is maturing rapidly

The AI wave of recent years has produced a large number of new providers and solutions. This drives innovation, but has also created a fragmented landscape. Organisations are increasingly looking for parties that not only offer technology, but can also demonstrably deliver value.

Davy Zwegers, Manager Partnerships and organiser of Data Expo, expects the market to consolidate further in the years ahead. "Over the next two to three years, a natural selection will take place between those who stay and those who drop out. A recognised name and clear positioning are more important than ever at this stage. It builds trust and opens doors in a market where many parties make similar claims."

Data Expo is the leading trade fair for Data & AI in the Netherlands, bringing together thousands of professionals each year, from board members and executives to data scientists, AI engineers and IT specialists. That combination of strategic decision-makers and technical experts makes the platform relevant for organisations active in the data and AI domain. Data Expo also connects its community online throughout the year.

Strong proposition, insufficient visibility

Many young companies focus on a specific problem, a sector or a new technology. This allows them to experiment and innovate faster than larger organisations. But a strong proposition alone is not enough. Brand awareness and a network are still missing.

"You can have a great product, but if nobody knows you, little will happen," says Zwegers. "People need to encounter you in multiple places. The journey often begins online, but without in-person meetings it stays superficial."

That is precisely why the connection with the broader ecosystem is so important. By bringing supply and demand together, space is created for collaborations and conversations that would otherwise take much longer to develop.

Dutch Startup AI as a connecting factor

Dutch Startup AI will join Data Expo as a knowledge partner from 2026. The goal is to more firmly connect the perspective of AI startups with the broader ecosystem of data and AI professionals.

Within the partnership, Dutch Startup AI will actively contribute to the content of the programme. This includes examining which questions are emerging around data and AI, and where startups are developing new solutions. Thought will also be given to ways of connecting startups, end users and other parties in the ecosystem.

Willem Blom, founder of Dutch Startup AI: "The best AI applications do not emerge in isolation. They arise from direct conversations between the people who understand problems and the people who build solutions. That is precisely the connection we want to strengthen, not only digitally, but also in person at places like Data Expo."

Data Expo: where strategy and execution meet

On 9 and 10 September 2026, the tenth edition of Data Expo will take place at Jaarbeurs Utrecht. Two days during which more than 6,000 data-minded professionals come together to work on data-driven decision-making and the application of AI.

Visitors are a mix of business professionals responsible for strategy, governance and value creation, and data and technology professionals working on implementation, architecture and analytics. That combination makes the event a place where organisations take concrete steps.

For startups, participation offers the opportunity to present their solutions to an audience that is actively seeking new applications. At the same time, it is a chance to gather feedback, hold conversations with potential partners and gain better insight into market needs.

Visibility as a flywheel for growth

Many established players in the current data and AI landscape started out small. Growth often comes about when companies become visible at the right moment and come into contact with organisations that need their solutions.

"Many organisations that now play an important role in the ecosystem once started as a startup," says Zwegers. "As a trade fair, Data Expo brings supply and demand together; parties use the event to accelerate decision-making and create momentum."

Building the Dutch AI ecosystem together

The collaboration between Data Expo and Dutch Startup AI is intended to further strengthen the Dutch data and AI ecosystem. By bringing together startups, established organisations and technology partners, an environment is created in which knowledge, ideas and new applications are shared more quickly.

"An incredible amount is happening in the Netherlands in the field of data and AI," says Zwegers. "By bringing relevant data & AI parties together and connecting them with decision-makers, we can drive tangible progress and commercial value."

Interested as a startup?

Startups that want to explore what participation in Data Expo could mean for them can get in touch with Davy Zwegers at davy@ogz.nl.