Creative industry

Utrecht is the second creative hotspot of the Netherlands, with over 13,000 jobs. Utrecht offers many creative initiatives. The creative sector is a well-performing Dutch industry and the fastest growing industry in Utrecht. In the past years (2011-2016) the number of jobs within the creative sector grew by 19%.

Utrecht houses important breeding grounds and knowledge centers, such as the Grafisch Lyceum Utrecht, University of the Arts Utrecht (HKU) and University of Applied Sciences Utrecht (HU), which produce many new creative and innovative talents every year.

The Utrecht Centre of Expertise for the Creative Industry (U Create) connects higher education, research and companies in the creative industries. Here also, health care and creative sector professionals collaborate together on numerous creative projects that have a social foundation.

In Utrecht, there are various inspiring hubs to be found, such as the Metaal Kathedraal, Vechtclub XL and the Werkspoorkathedraal. In addition, Utrecht is home to the Dutch Game Garden, incubator for starting gaming companies.

These companies are already established in Utrecht

“We zochten een aansprekend thuis in een dynamische en inspirerende omgeving, waarbij zowel consumenten als bedrijven direct kunnen zien en ervaren wie we zijn en wat we doen.”

-Marieke Dekker, Executive Director External Affairs

“Utrecht is an attractive location for businesses with it being a metropole yet compact in size and with a beautiful historic city centre. As a typical student city it continuously attracts new talent, creating an annual influx of qualified workers that oftentimes stay in the region to live and work.”

-Anne-Lize van Dusseldorp, Sustainability Manager

“In Utrecht it is quicker and easier to find young talent, knowledge based industry is attracted by the university, which is a bonus for new business; in short: a wonderful city for your company.”

-Eduard Schaepman, Chief Tribes

“Deutsche Windtechnik is Europe’s largest independent maintenance company for wind turbines. Utrecht was a logical starting point for the European expansion of Deutsche Windtechnik: centrally located and excellent accessibility for customers and employees.”

– Geert Timmer, Managing Director Deutsche Windtechnik

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