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January 21, 2026

From Last-Minute Pitch to €10,000 Winner

From Last-Minute Pitch to International Impact: How ChatLicense Won the NL Startup Competition 2024

At Upstream Festival 2024, a last-minute decision led to a defining moment for a Rotterdam-born impact startup. ChatLicense won the NL Startup Competition on the main stage, securing a €10,000 cash prize and qualification for the Startup World Cup finals in Riyadh. The win marked a major milestone and opened doors far beyond the festival itself.

Clear Mission with Growing Urgency

ChatLicense was founded in 2022 by Rotterdam-based lawyer-turned-founder Marjolein van Tilburg. The startup developed the world’s first digital license for children’s first smartphone or tablet, designed to help families build healthy digital habits and skills in a positive and guided way

Before Upstream 2024, ChatLicense already had early traction, including initial contact with telecom providers such as KPN following Upstream 2022. However, the company faced several challenges: expanding partnerships within the Netherlands, securing funding to rebuild the app to the highest quality standards, and gaining international visibility and access to a broader network.

Entering the NL Startup Competition

When the NL Startup Competition announced its finals at Upstream Festival 2024, ChatLicense submitted its application at the last minute. Preparation focused on quickly refining the pitch deck and clearly communicating the urgency of healthy digital habits for children.

ChatLicense was selected for the finals and pitched on the main Upstream stage. The jury and audience connected immediately with the mission. The result was first place among all Dutch contenders in the competition.

The pitch combined a clearly defined problem – the moment a child receives their first smartphone – with a simple solution: a digital license rather than a system based solely on restrictions. This approach was reinforced by a strong founder story and aligned closely with the impact and health focus of the Rotterdam ecosystem.

Results Beyond the Prize

Winning the NL Startup Competition delivered immediate and longer-term outcomes. The primary achievements included the €10,000 cash prize, qualification and a trip to the Startup World Cup finals in Riyadh, and official winner status within the Dutch startup ecosystem, including recognition from Erasmus Enterprise and NL Startup Competition partners.

The secondary outcomes proved equally significant. The win strengthened relationships within the ecosystem, provided validation that opened new doors, and contributed to securing later investment from the regional fund UNIIQ. By 2025, ChatLicense completed a full professional rebuild of its app. International expansion followed, with French and Spanish versions launched and growth underway in Spain and the United States through cities, schools, and telecom partners. The network expanded globally, creating connections from Riyadh to New York.

Key Takeaways and Looking Ahead

The case highlights the importance of local ecosystems and winning “at home” as a foundation for international credibility. Validation from trusted partners proved to be as valuable as the prize money itself. The experience also reinforced the role of serendipity and the power of a mission that resonates instantly – particularly in the area of children’s online safety.

Looking ahead, ChatLicense’s stated goals for 2026 include further launches in Spain and the United States, partnerships with major cities and telecom providers worldwide, and continuing to demonstrate how a Rotterdam-born idea can influence how the next generation grows up with screens.

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You can read the full case study here.

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