InnovationQuarter, Security Delta (HSD), the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and the Embassy of the Netherlands in the United States are organising a Cyber Mission to Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia! 

The Washington D.C. metropolitan area ranks as the 5th largest regional economy in the United States. It also boasts one of the world's top three regional cybersecurity ecosystems, extending from Virginia's Dulles International Airport, through the District of Columbia, to Maryland's suburbs near Baltimore. Being the capital, the region hosts numerous government agencies, as well as a substantial military and defense ecosystem. Being home to significant government and educational institutions, including NSA, Cyber Command, CISA and large federally funded research institutions, and a flourishing startup and high-tech innovation culture, the cybersecurity ecosystem benefits from access to a specialized workforce, knowledge sharing, capital resources, and strong inter-organizational connections. 

The Biden-Harris Administration’s new National Cybersecurity Strategy stipulates that all Americans deserve a secure and digital future, creating opportunities for more long-term investments into cybersecurity. Thus, making it interesting for foreign cybersecurity companies to explore the US market and introduce innovative technologies and solutions. 

The Embassy of the Netherlands in the United States has created a diverse program which includes: 

• Crossovers with the financial sector, critical infrastructure and, of course, government. 

• Networking with US stakeholders: 1-on-1 matchmaking and happy hours with the local network and some of your (potential) customers and partners by invitation. 

• As a founder, you will gain valuable knowledge about the US market, validate your proposition and go-to-market strategy, and gain perspective on doing business in the US 

Below you can find the preliminary program (to be confirmed), which will be further developed in the next few weeks. 

Sunday, October 15 – Virginia  

• Arrival in Virginia with KLM 

• Optional visit to the International Spy Museum (tickets at own expense, museum closes at 8pm)

Monday, October 16 - Virginia 

• Session with MACH37, largest cyber accelerator in the United States 

• Discussion on cybersecurity in the telecommunications sector with AT&T and US Telecom

• Site visit to company like Leidos/Booz Allen Hamilton to discuss government contracting and current trends within the industry 

• Fairfax County happy hour with local business network 

Tuesday, October 17 – Washington DC 

• Session on US policy and impact (opportunities and challenges); Including presentation from CISA on implementation of US National Cyber Strategy and perspectives on US cybersecurity ecosystem

• Panel on cybersecurity in the medical field

• Panel on cybersecurity in the financial services sector including representatives from organizations such as Mastercard, GEICO, CapitolOne

• Matchmaking B2B

• Happy Hour - Option to invite a few (existing or prospective) partners or customers

Wednesday, October 18 – Maryland 

• Site visit to Dreamport/MISI: introduction to network and services

• Soft landing US: go2market strategy, sales

• Session with Cybersecurity Association Maryland and/or MD Tech Council 

• BW Tech and MIC on startup programming MD

• Peer to peer session with entrepreneur in residence / relevant company: ask me anything

Thursday, October 19 – Maryland and Washington DC 

• Session on critical infrastructure and cybersecurity with Institute for Critical Infrastructure Technology (ICIT) and/or Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) 

• Site visit to Mandiant, a Company by Google Cloud and discussion with cyber team (DMV region, US policy, partnership opportunities)

• Session with ConnectedDMV / VTech or Smart City Campus visit

• Option to host own HH around the city // sightseeing // B2B sales

Friday, October 20 – Virginia  

• University visit to George Mason University or Virgina Tech (Northern Virginia Center)

• Session with cyber team TSA, possibly with IAD team

• Return flight to Netherlands 

Throughout program    DC Startup Week - option to attend sessions or participate in pitching opportunities (program will be shared shortly, please express if interested)
 

Monday, October 23 – New York 

There are several other optional industry events you can attend in the weeks before and after the trade mission, including the NL in NY Startup & Scaleup Community Event in New York (Monday, Oct. 23). This opportunity is by invite only, please contact Martine Koole: martine.koole@innovationquarter.nl  

Other events before the trade mission: 

Boston Fintech Week Oct. 10-13, Boston 
MSSP Alert Live Oct. 9-11, Washington D.C. 
Identity Week America Oct. 3-4, Washington D.C. 
 
Other event after the trade mission: 

Money 20/20 USA Oct. 22-25, Las Vegas 

We will host a matchmaking session where you will have the opportunity to meet potential clients, business partners or US counterparts. The matchmaker will schedule 3-5 individual appointments based on your input and a personal intake. 

To make use of this service, it will cost €2.000 per company (limited availability). 

Date: Sunday, October 15 – Friday, October 20 

Location: Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia (US) 

Costs: €500 per company excl. VAT (excluding matchmaking, travel and accommodation) 

Travel & Accomodation

Travelling and accommodations are to be arranged individually by each company, at their own expense.   

We may be able to arrange a group rate at a hotel for participants, and you will be notified of the booking options after registration. 

Limited Availability 

There are limited spots available, if you register for the trade mission you will receive a confirmation of registration, but not a confirmation of participation. Your participation will be confirmed after the signup date, which is Friday, August 25. Max 2 participants per company. 

This trade mission is made possible by the PIB Cybersecurity US, a 3-year program coordinated by InnovationQuarter, Security Delta (HSD) and the Netherlands Economic Network in the United States and Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). 

The current members of the PIB Cluster include: Attic Security | Awareways | aXite Security Tools| Compumatica | DTACT | EclecticIQ | PRODAFT | Radically Open Security | Ubiqu | Zivver 

For more information about the program and possible opportunities to join the PIB, please contact Martine Koole or Paul Coumans, or visit the website: https://tradewithnl.nl/en/cybersecurity-usa 

Please contact Martine Koole or Paul Coumans: