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The Children of Fokker (46)

The question

Working in research projects is always a rewarding experience. You get to tackle more ambitious challenges than in typical intra-company work, and you’re exposed to a mix of working cultures from other organizations and people. This kind of cross-pollination is incredibly valuable—it forces you to reflect on your own company’s legacy, culture, and assumptions.

In my role, I’m fortunate to frequently participate in such research projects. After one particularly successful in-person meeting, I found myself riding home with a few non-European colleagues.

Naturally, we had many interesting conversations about work and life. But one question stuck with me:
"Why are there so many aerospace start-ups in the Netherlands? It’s such a relatively small country, and most of the big European clients aren’t even based there."

That question really got me thinking. I hadn’t explicitly noticed the trend before, but my colleague had a point. And as I turned the idea over in my mind, I realized I already had the pieces to craft a theory.

Reason #1: TU Delft

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) is a force unto itself. It’s one of the most illustrious institutions in the field of aerospace engineering—not just in Europe, but globally. It’s only natural that hopeful students finishing their degrees are eager to make an impact and jump straight into innovation. Start-ups offer the perfect launchpad.

Reason #2: Dutch spirit

Dutch society is remarkably forward-looking. The Netherlands has a strong tradition of trade and logistics—two sectors that depend on robust, reliable transportation systems. On top of that, the country consistently ranks among the best in Europe for nurturing valuable start-ups. There’s a sense of pragmatism and openness to experimentation, which creates fertile ground for entrepreneurship, especially in high-tech fields.

Reason #3: The Fokker legacy

Perhaps the most important reason, though, is the legacy of Fokker. Fokker was once a world-class aircraft manufacturer, and while it eventually ceased aircraft production to focus on parts and systems, its deep reservoir of aerospace expertise didn’t just disappear. Much of the workforce either remained with the restructured Fokker or branched out to create or join new mobility-focused companies. That talent and know-how helped form the foundation of today’s vibrant aerospace ecosystem.

In a way, you could say that every aerospace engineer in the Netherlands is a child of Anthony Fokker.


And that’s what I told my colleague: it’s a mix of technical excellence, the right cultural mindset, and a very real industrial legacy. Add to that the recent move by Airbus to open a tech center here—a kind of validation of the ecosystem—and the trajectory becomes even clearer.

I’m curious to see what comes next. The Netherlands may be small, but it’s definitely punching above its weight when it comes to aerospace. Who knows what role it will play in designing the aircraft of tomorrow?


 

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