Name respondents:

Date of group interview:

Q1. Before we begin: could you briefly introduce yourself? (For the transcripter)

Coming to Silicon Valley

Q2. How did you get the idea of going to Silicon Valley and to begin a startup here?

Q3. Why did you not start your business venture in the Netherlands?

Q4. How did you prepare yourself for coming over to Silicon Valley?

Q5. What were your main worries in deciding to come over? And have they become true?

Team

Q6. How do you select your people? What are the qualities you look for in your team?

Q7. Is it difficult to find the right people with the right skills?

Funding

Q8. How did you finance your startup business? Vc? Business angel?

Q9. Was it difficult to get funding?

Entrepreneur issues

Q10. What were the main challenges in your first year as a startup?

Q11. What were the main things going wrong in the first period?

Q12. What was surprisingly easy in the first period?

Q13. What is your most painful experience as a startup entrepreneur?

Q14. Did you ever think of giving up and going back to the Netherlands?

Q15. All in all: did coming to Silicon Valley and founding your startup meet your expectations?

Q16. If you knew then what you know now: would you start your business again here in Silicon Valley?

• a. What would you do differently?

• b. And what would you certainly do again?

Q17. What is your main advice to dutch entrepreneurs who consider starting a business in Silicon Valley?

Impact of culture & change

Q18. In what respect is the culture in Silicon Valley truly proinnovation & pro-startups? How did you experience that?

Q19. Silicon valley is also witnessing a number of radical social and economic changes and challenges. What is your view on these developments?

Final questions

Q20. Any suggestions to the dutch consulate how they can better service dutch startups here in Silicon Valley?

Q21. The last question. What can the Netherlands learn from American entrepreneurship? What should we do differently?