We've got talent. We're missing a flywheel.

We've got talent. We're missing a flywheel.

We've got talent. We're missing a flywheel.

Employee participation is the key to accelerating society

by sharing entrepreneurship and prosperity.


In the Netherlands, we are stuck.

Join us to change that.

Employee participation's key to speeding up a society by sharing entrepreneurship and prosperity. In the Netherlands, we're stuck. Join us to change that.

Employee participation is the key to accelerating a society by sharing entrepreneurship and prosperity. In the Netherlands, we're stuck. Join us to change that.

Sign the petition

Sign the petition

Already 1,000 signatories from Mollie, Picnic, Bird, Dott, Coolblue, Crisp, and more.

Dear Minister, Secretary of State,


As a startup sector, we're on the front line of technological innovation. We're building the companies that conceptualize and shape our digital future. All of the Netherlands benefits from this. Dutch startups created 151,000 jobs in more than 50 cities. Not only do startups generate a lot of money for the economy, but we also actively invest in the next generation of Dutch top talent.


As a sector, we have to compete with companies from around the world—from Silicon Valley to London. However, recent research by the government has shown that this fight is getting increasingly difficult, especially due to a lack of employee participation. Our country ranks 22nd out of 25 countries. In the United States, a company going public is 19% employee-owned, while in the Netherlands, it's only 4%.


It's currently way too hard to issue shares to employees. That's bad for startups because shares are a crucial way to attract talent when capital is scarce. It's also bad for employees because if a startup grows, they don't benefit. As a result, they can't invest in new startups themselves or start one with seed capital. This way, the startup ecosystem doesn't continue to grow. This is one reason why in the US, 803 euros per capita per year go into startup investments, and in the Netherlands only 111 euros.


We've got the talent. We just lack this so-called flywheel effect, where successful startups lead to more startups.


Complex regulations are therefore holding back the Dutch economy and its innovative capabilities. We're quickly losing promising companies to countries like the US, the UK, Israel, and others where this is well organized. To secure future earning potential, the Netherlands must take a different path.


We therefore urge you to:


  1. Reduce the administrative burden of participation schemes and make them feasible for young, unlisted startups.

  2. Tax should only be levied on stock options at the time of sale, when the tax can actually be paid.

  3. Introduce an internationally competitive tax rate for stock options and enable Dutch companies to compete globally.


We're also committed to continuing to support entrepreneurs, employees, and investors in our sector. With these new measures, we can move forward.


Improved legislation around employee participation will directly lead to greater prosperity and innovation in the Netherlands.


We're counting on your support.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are stock options?

Instead of issuing shares directly, many companies choose to provide employees with stock options. These options give employees the right to purchase shares at a predetermined price within a specific timeframe.

This is attractive because employees can benefit from the appreciation of the company they contribute to without having to make a large investment upfront.

This form of compensation is especially popular in the tech sector, where it helps companies attract and retain talent without incurring high direct salary costs.

What are stock options?

Instead of issuing shares directly, many companies choose to provide employees with stock options. These options give employees the right to purchase shares at a predetermined price within a specific timeframe.

This is attractive because employees can benefit from the appreciation of the company they contribute to without having to make a large investment upfront.

This form of compensation is especially popular in the tech sector, where it helps companies attract and retain talent without incurring high direct salary costs.

What are stock options?

Instead of issuing shares directly, many companies choose to provide employees with stock options. These options give employees the right to purchase shares at a predetermined price within a specific timeframe.

This is attractive because employees can benefit from the appreciation of the company they contribute to without having to make a large investment upfront.

This form of compensation is especially popular in the tech sector, where it helps companies attract and retain talent without incurring high direct salary costs.

Why is taxing options difficult?

Employees now often have to pay taxes on the estimated value of a startup or scale-up, which is extremely uncertain. They also cannot simply sell shares in startups to afford that tax, unlike with publicly traded companies.

This causes them to find themselves in financial distress, and they may even have to give up their rights to the shares entirely.

A recent legislative amendment in 2023 was a step in the right direction. Nevertheless, the situation remains problematic compared to other countries, as shown by recent research.

Why is taxing options difficult?

Employees now often have to pay taxes on the estimated value of a startup or scale-up, which is extremely uncertain. They also cannot simply sell shares in startups to afford that tax, unlike with publicly traded companies.

This causes them to find themselves in financial distress, and they may even have to give up their rights to the shares entirely.

A recent legislative amendment in 2023 was a step in the right direction. Nevertheless, the situation remains problematic compared to other countries, as shown by recent research.

Why is taxing options difficult?

Employees now often have to pay taxes on the estimated value of a startup or scale-up, which is extremely uncertain. They also cannot simply sell shares in startups to afford that tax, unlike with publicly traded companies.

This causes them to find themselves in financial distress, and they may even have to give up their rights to the shares entirely.

A recent legislative amendment in 2023 was a step in the right direction. Nevertheless, the situation remains problematic compared to other countries, as shown by recent research.

Who is this important for?

This is important for all hardworking Dutch people, regardless of background, profession, or salary.

  1. Employees who receive stock options or may receive them in the future. They are directly affected by the current tax rules and administrative complexity.

  2. Startups and scale-ups looking to attract and retain talent. These companies compete internationally for the best people and need stock options as part of their compensation package.

  3. The Dutch startup ecosystem as a whole. An attractive climate for stock options helps to build the next generation of entrepreneurs, investors, and other talent.

Who is this important for?

This is important for all hardworking Dutch people, regardless of background, profession, or salary.

  1. Employees who receive stock options or may receive them in the future. They are directly affected by the current tax rules and administrative complexity.

  2. Startups and scale-ups looking to attract and retain talent. These companies compete internationally for the best people and need stock options as part of their compensation package.

  3. The Dutch startup ecosystem as a whole. An attractive climate for stock options helps to build the next generation of entrepreneurs, investors, and other talent.

Who is this important for?

This is important for all hardworking Dutch people, regardless of background, profession, or salary.

  1. Employees who receive stock options or may receive them in the future. They are directly affected by the current tax rules and administrative complexity.

  2. Startups and scale-ups looking to attract and retain talent. These companies compete internationally for the best people and need stock options as part of their compensation package.

  3. The Dutch startup ecosystem as a whole. An attractive climate for stock options helps to build the next generation of entrepreneurs, investors, and other talent.

What is the "flywheel effect"?

The "Flywheel Effect" was developed by Jim Collins in his book "Good to Great" from 2001. Collins used the metaphor of a heavy flywheel to explain how sustainable business growth works: each small improvement builds on previous improvements, causing the flywheel to spin faster and faster.

Employee participation can be such a flywheel because a small growing company, where success is shared with everyone, can lead to more talent that can participate in future companies.

What is the "flywheel effect"?

The "Flywheel Effect" was developed by Jim Collins in his book "Good to Great" from 2001. Collins used the metaphor of a heavy flywheel to explain how sustainable business growth works: each small improvement builds on previous improvements, causing the flywheel to spin faster and faster.

Employee participation can be such a flywheel because a small growing company, where success is shared with everyone, can lead to more talent that can participate in future companies.

What is the "flywheel effect"?

The "Flywheel Effect" was developed by Jim Collins in his book "Good to Great" from 2001. Collins used the metaphor of a heavy flywheel to explain how sustainable business growth works: each small improvement builds on previous improvements, causing the flywheel to spin faster and faster.

Employee participation can be such a flywheel because a small growing company, where success is shared with everyone, can lead to more talent that can participate in future companies.

Why this call now?

Recently, several steps have been taken to improve employee participation in the future.

Marnix van Rij (Secretary of State for Taxation and the Tax and Customs Administration) sent the House of Representatives a report in February 2024 for a simpler tax system, including a measure for concrete legislative changes regarding stock options.

In November 2024, a motion by Member of Parliament Wendy van Eijk will be adopted to further develop the policy option for favorable valuation of stock options.

Dirk Beljaarts (Minister of Economic Affairs) shared a study with the House of Representatives in December 2024, following the adopted motion.

For the next steps, we must work together to implement concrete measures.

Why this call now?

Recently, several steps have been taken to improve employee participation in the future.

Marnix van Rij (Secretary of State for Taxation and the Tax and Customs Administration) sent the House of Representatives a report in February 2024 for a simpler tax system, including a measure for concrete legislative changes regarding stock options.

In November 2024, a motion by Member of Parliament Wendy van Eijk will be adopted to further develop the policy option for favorable valuation of stock options.

Dirk Beljaarts (Minister of Economic Affairs) shared a study with the House of Representatives in December 2024, following the adopted motion.

For the next steps, we must work together to implement concrete measures.

Why this call now?

Recently, several steps have been taken to improve employee participation in the future.

Marnix van Rij (Secretary of State for Taxation and the Tax and Customs Administration) sent the House of Representatives a report in February 2024 for a simpler tax system, including a measure for concrete legislative changes regarding stock options.

In November 2024, a motion by Member of Parliament Wendy van Eijk will be adopted to further develop the policy option for favorable valuation of stock options.

Dirk Beljaarts (Minister of Economic Affairs) shared a study with the House of Representatives in December 2024, following the adopted motion.

For the next steps, we must work together to implement concrete measures.

Who is organizing this petition?

This petition is an initiative of Robert Gaal, founder of Vesper, with assistance from various entrepreneurs and all signatories.

Who is organizing this petition?

This petition is an initiative of Robert Gaal, founder of Vesper, with assistance from various entrepreneurs and all signatories.

Who is organizing this petition?

This petition is an initiative of Robert Gaal, founder of Vesper, with assistance from various entrepreneurs and all signatories.

Curious? Get in touch.

Curious? Get in touch.

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Read this in English