[mmaldacker]

> the Netherlands has fewer than 17 million residents and a language that nobody else speaks

If you don't count the flemish in Belgium (about 6-7 million people). In addition, (almost) everybody speaks english.

> One of the hardships Dutch startups face, says Kroes, is overcoming the natural Dutch tendency to be humble.

Really? This is not the impression I get from the Dutch. Belgians love to make fun of Dutch people for being arrogant. There is also a very strong culture of entrepreneurship in the Netherlands, starting and having a successful company is highly regarded. And there are already a few successful startups, like ticketswap which recently opened in several other countries.