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Dear reader,
As 2021 has finally started, we look back on a challenging time for the world, the end of which is hopefully in sight. My silver lining has always been that 2020 pushed everyone to think differently and develop new skills and perspectives.
Just like many of you, the Netherlands Consulate General in San Francisco had to pivot. We launched the e-Consulate and hosted virtual trade missions from our newly created studio. This wouldn’t have been possible without your kind and continuous support.
Thank you also to the healthcare heroes of San Francisco and everywhere in the United States who are working tirelessly to fight COVID-19. We are proud of you and hope better times are near. The consulate delivered to Laguna Honda Hospital in San Francisco 3,000 stroopwafels, which were handed out as vaccinations were given.
On behalf of my team and my family, I wish you a healthy, bright, and prosperous 2021. Looking forward to working with you again. Online or in real life.
Best, Dirk Janssen
Consul General
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The team of the Consulate General of the Netherlands in San Francisco wishes you happy holidays and a healthy 2021. We're looking forward working with you again!
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The first-ever all-digital CES will kick off on 11 January 2021. More than 90 Dutch tech companies will join the world’s brightest and most forward-thinking innovators on the global innovation stage. Together they will explore how to harness the power of technology and collaboration to solve societal challenges worldwide.
The Netherlands is proud to present 90 Dutch tech companies at our virtual NL Pavilion so that we all can meet, exchange ideas and foster collaboration. The tech companies will present their latest inventions, spanning every aspect of the tech industry. We will highlight the technology that performs not only independent function but also enable other technology in a matrixed, interconnected ecosystem.
The Consulate General hosts the Holland in the Valley Investor's Round Table, to connect a group of selected participants to the Silicon Valley ecosystem.
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Thank you also to the healthcare heroes of San Francisco and everywhere in the United States who are working tirelessly to fight COVID-19. We are proud of you and hope better times are near. The consulate delivered to Laguna Honda Hospital in San Francisco 3,000 stroopwafels, which were handed out as vaccinations were given.
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CA-NL Partnership on Circular Urban Development
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Environment Minister Stientje van Veldhoven and California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis launched the Public Private Partnership on Circular Urban Development. Ten Dutch companies will work with California to share expertise and ideas for a circular future. The partnership was launched in a virtual roundtable on December 2. The Netherlands and California are leaders when it comes to climate action and the circular economy in particular. The partnership is another step in the strong cooperation on this topic.
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Virtual Mission on Hydrogen
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Hydrogen is key in fighting climate change. Together with the Consulate General in Vancouver, Canada, and the Innovation Attaché Network, we hosted a virtual innovation mission to connect Dutch companies to experts and potential partners in Canada and the USA. Among the participants were the University of California, Davis; the US Department of Energy; the Port of Rotterdam; TNO; and Rocky Mountain Institute.
In the energy transition, hydrogen will play a crucial role in decarbonizing activities that are hard to electrify and mitigating seasonal fluctuations in wind and solar power. The Netherlands, California, and British Columbia are frontrunners in this field. The digital mission in early December consisted of online lectures, networking, and matchmaking. Participants connected with each other through videoconferencing and an online platform.
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Cycling Road Show US West Coast
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Cycling is booming in the United States. The COVID-19 crisis has also fundamentally changed the way we look at cities, offering a unique window of opportunity to rethink, redefine, and reallocate urban streetscapes and the way they are used.
The Netherlands Consulate General in San Francisco, in cooperation with the Dutch Cycling Embassy, is hosting a series of free workshops to collaborate in transforming American streetscapes, focusing on Los Angeles, San Francisco/Bay Area and the Pacific Northwest.
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Global Scale-Up Program goes West Coast
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Together with the Global Scale-up Program, we hosted a virtual mission on life sciences and health. During this three-day mission in November, Dutch companies connected to Arizona, Los Angeles, and Silicon Valley in a series of virtual events, matchmaking, and networking.
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In February, the consulate will host the four-week long Academic Startup Program. Ten academic startups were selected based on their value proposition, the innovative character of the technology involved, the potential of their business and profit model, and the startup team composition.
The competition offers the winning academic startups the chance to follow this tailor-made incubator program to connect to investors and experts in Silicon Valley and accelerate their business.
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New Honorary Consul in Denver
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Congratulations to Frank Caris, our new honorary consul in Colorado. In his new position, he will strengthen the friendship between the Netherlands and Colorado, Wyoming, and New Mexico. Mr. Caris is a Dutch national who has lived in the US for many years and is CEO of dpiX, an innovate company in digital optical sensors, and has board functions with the Colorado Association of Commerce & Industry and in the health sector.
- Contact Frank Caris here.
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Holland in the Valley Ben Feringa Lecture
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The Netherlands is home to world-renowned universities and some of the most respected researchers. Together with Vereniging van Universiteiten (VSNU) and the University Groningen, Holland in the Valley hosted the inaugural Ben Feringa Lecture, presented by Nobel Prize in Chemistry laureate Dr. Ben Feringa:
In 2016, Dr. Ben Feringa was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, together with Sir J. Fraser Stoddart and Jean-Pierre Sauvage, for the design and synthesis of molecular machines. Following his lecture, Dr. Feringa was interviewed by Dr. Zhenan Bao of Stanford University and answered questions from the 1,500 viewers.
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Holland in the Valley Networking Event
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Live from Los Angeles! Dutch singer Laroussi performed at the virtual Holland in the Valley Networking Event in October. Holland in the Valley partners, mentors, and companies enjoyed the special performance and connected in special break-out rooms.
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