AMSTERDAM, 1 September 2026 – The Stack, Amsterdam’s ambitious new center for artificial intelligence (AI) innovation, has officially appointed infinitSpace as its Workspace Operating Partner. This strategic alliance, formalized ahead of The Stack’s September opening, will see infinitSpace provide the critical technological and operational backbone for the burgeoning AI ecosystem. This partnership is designed to empower The Stack’s core mission: cultivating a vibrant AI community, fostering groundbreaking programs, and building a robust network of founders and builders.
The establishment of The Stack represents a significant stride in bolstering the Dutch and, by extension, the European AI landscape. Co-founded by a trio of prominent Dutch AI entrepreneurs—Lennard Zwart, Maarten Stolk, and Philip Gast—in collaboration with Techleap and seven influential Founding Partners, The Stack is meticulously crafted to serve as a dedicated nexus for AI companies and their creators. Constantijn van Oranje, Special Envoy for Techleap, has been a driving force behind this initiative, playing a pivotal role in its conception and development on behalf of Techleap. The project has also garnered support from the City of Amsterdam and key industry players including IMC, ABN AMRO, ClickHouse, Deloitte, Google, Miro, and Prosus, underscoring its strategic importance.
A Vision for AI Ecosystem Growth
The overarching objective of The Stack is to consolidate and amplify the strengths of the Dutch and European AI sectors. By creating a physical hub, the initiative aims to foster unprecedented collaboration and synergy among AI companies, top-tier talent, venture capital, leading knowledge institutions, and established corporate partners. This concentrated approach is expected to accelerate innovation, facilitate knowledge transfer, and drive the commercialization of cutting-edge AI technologies.
The soft opening of The Stack is slated for September 2026 at Jacob Bontiusplaats 9, nestled within Amsterdam’s dynamic Oostenburg district. The initial phase of the development will encompass approximately 4,500 square meters of state-of-the-art facilities. This includes flexible office spaces, collaborative co-working areas, dedicated development zones, and a purpose-built event space designed to host impactful industry gatherings. Looking ahead, The Stack has ambitious expansion plans, with a projected growth to around 12,000 square meters by 2029, signaling a long-term commitment to scaling its impact.
Strategic Partnership for Operational Excellence
The partnership with infinitSpace is central to The Stack’s operational strategy. infinitSpace, known for its innovative approach to workspace management, will be responsible for delivering a comprehensive suite of services. These include the advanced workspace technology, sophisticated commercial operations, a seamless member experience, robust reporting mechanisms, efficient supplier coordination, adherence to high hospitality standards, and the day-to-day operational management of The Stack.
This delegation allows The Stack’s internal team to concentrate its efforts on its core competencies: nurturing the AI community, curating high-impact programs, and forging strategic connections that drive growth for its resident companies. Crucially, The Stack will retain full ownership of its brand identity, strategic direction, community engagement, and programmatic development, while leveraging infinitSpace’s specialized expertise for the physical and technological infrastructure of the workspace.
Esther Bisschop, Founding Director of The Stack, emphasized the symbiotic nature of this collaboration. "We are creating a physical home for the AI ecosystem in The Netherlands and Europe," Bisschop stated. "The experience of being here needs to be as thoughtful and ambitious as the companies we want to attract. infinitSpace brings the operational expertise and infrastructure that allows us to focus on what makes The Stack different: the highly curated community, the program, and the connections that help AI companies grow." This statement highlights the strategic intent behind outsourcing operational management to specialized providers, enabling the core team to maximize their focus on community and strategic growth.
Wybo Wijnbergen, CEO and co-founder of infinitSpace, echoed this sentiment, underscoring the alignment between the two organizations’ visions. "The Stack is a strong example of the kind of specialist workspace concept our white-label approach is designed to support," Wijnbergen commented. "It is much more than a workspace; it is building a platform for the AI ecosystem in Amsterdam. Our role is to provide the technology and operating infrastructure behind the scenes, allowing The Stack to focus on its mission, brand, and community. We are excited to be part of this initiative and to further strengthen our presence in Amsterdam." infinitSpace’s "white-label" model allows businesses to leverage their operational expertise and technology under their own brand, a model that appears perfectly suited for a specialized hub like The Stack.
The AI Landscape in the Netherlands and Europe
The Netherlands has consistently ranked among the leading European nations in AI adoption and innovation. According to various reports from organizations like the European Commission and the OECD, the Dutch AI ecosystem benefits from a strong research base, a highly skilled workforce, and a supportive government framework. Amsterdam, in particular, has emerged as a significant tech hub, attracting international talent and investment.
The establishment of The Stack is poised to further accelerate this growth. By providing a centralized location, it aims to overcome some of the fragmentation that can hinder early-stage ecosystems. This includes:
- Talent Attraction and Retention: A dedicated AI hub can act as a magnet for top AI professionals, offering not just a workspace but a community and career development opportunities.
- Capital Access: Concentrating AI startups and scale-ups in one location can attract venture capital firms and angel investors looking for concentrated investment opportunities in the AI sector.
- Knowledge Sharing and Collaboration: Proximity fosters spontaneous interactions, partnerships, and the cross-pollination of ideas, which are crucial for rapid innovation.
- Corporate Engagement: The Stack’s proximity to corporate partners can lead to pilot projects, R&D collaborations, and potential acquisition opportunities for startups.
The European AI landscape is rapidly evolving, with significant investments being made across the continent. However, challenges remain, including competition from global AI powerhouses like the United States and China, and the need for robust ethical and regulatory frameworks. Initiatives like The Stack are vital for ensuring Europe remains competitive and at the forefront of AI development.
Timeline and Key Milestones
The journey to The Stack’s opening represents a carefully orchestrated sequence of strategic decisions and developmental phases:
- Conception and Planning: The initiative began with discussions among Dutch AI entrepreneurs, Techleap, and potential founding partners, identifying the need for a dedicated AI hub.
- Founding and Partnerships: The formal co-founding by Lennard Zwart, Maarten Stolk, Philip Gast, and Techleap, alongside the commitment of seven Founding Partners, solidified the project’s foundation. Constantijn van Oranje’s involvement as Techleap’s Special Envoy was instrumental during this phase.
- Site Selection and Development: The Oostenburg district in Amsterdam was chosen for its accessibility and potential for growth. The acquisition and initial development of the Jacob Bontiusplaats 9 site commenced.
- Operator Selection: The meticulous process of identifying and selecting a Workspace Operating Partner culminated in the appointment of infinitSpace, recognizing their technological prowess and operational expertise. This decision was critical to ensure the physical space could support the ambitious goals of the AI community.
- Pre-Opening Preparations: Throughout 2025 and early 2026, significant work has been undertaken on site development, technology integration, and the initial outreach to potential resident companies and community members.
- Soft Opening (September 2026): The Stack will welcome its first cohort of AI companies and builders, initiating its operational phase. This period will focus on refining operations and community engagement.
- Full Opening and Expansion (Late 2026 onwards): Following the soft opening, The Stack will fully launch its programs and services. The expansion to 12,000 square meters by 2029 will mark a significant scaling of its capacity and impact.
Broader Implications and Future Outlook
The partnership between The Stack and infinitSpace signifies a forward-thinking approach to developing specialized innovation hubs. By de-risking the operational complexities for the core team, The Stack can dedicate its resources to fostering a high-quality environment for AI innovation. This model could serve as a blueprint for other nascent technology clusters seeking to establish similar ecosystems.
The success of The Stack will be measured not only by the number of companies it houses or the square footage it occupies but by its tangible impact on the Dutch and European AI landscape. This includes the creation of intellectual property, the development of groundbreaking AI applications, the generation of high-value jobs, and the attraction of significant investment.
As AI continues its rapid evolution, the demand for specialized environments that foster collaboration, innovation, and growth will only increase. The Stack, with its strategic partnerships and clear vision, is well-positioned to become a leading global center for AI development. The integration of infinitSpace’s operational capabilities ensures that the physical and technological infrastructure will be robust enough to support the ambitious trajectory of the AI companies and researchers who will call The Stack their home.
The presence of major Founding Partners like IMC, ABN AMRO, ClickHouse, Deloitte, Google, Miro, and Prosus, alongside support from the City of Amsterdam, indicates a strong ecosystem approach. This broad coalition suggests a shared understanding of the importance of nurturing AI innovation for future economic prosperity and technological advancement.
About The Stack
The Stack is positioned as the premier destination in the Netherlands for AI founders and builders. It serves as a comprehensive ecosystem hub, uniting AI companies, a diverse pool of talent, essential capital, leading academic institutions, and influential corporate partners. Located at Jacob Bontiusplaats 9 in Amsterdam’s Oostenburg district, The Stack offers more than just physical space; it provides a curated environment designed to foster innovation through workspace solutions, engaging community programming, and vital connections to customers, strategic partners, and investment opportunities.
The Stack was brought to life through the collaborative efforts of co-founders Lennard Zwart, Maarten Stolk, and Philip Gast, in close partnership with Techleap. The initiative’s strength is further amplified by its distinguished Founding Partners: IMC, ABN AMRO, ClickHouse, Deloitte, Google, Miro, and Prosus, underscoring a collective commitment to advancing the AI sector.
The core mission of The Stack extends to fortifying the AI ecosystem within both the Netherlands and Europe. This is achieved by fostering the development of companies, intellectual property, and talent that are poised to define the next generation of technological advancements.
About infinitSpace
infinitSpace is at the forefront of revolutionizing commercial real estate through an AI-powered operating platform. The company synergistically integrates advanced technology, data analytics, intelligent AI agents, and practical operational capabilities to empower property owners and strategic collaborators. This integration facilitates the launch, commercialization, and efficient operation of workspaces, whether under their own brands or the infinitSpace marque.
Founded by brothers Wybo and Wilco Wijnbergen, infinitSpace has established a significant operational footprint across multiple European markets. Their expertise lies in creating scalable and efficient workspace solutions that cater to the evolving needs of modern businesses and innovation ecosystems.
The strategic alliance with The Stack highlights infinitSpace’s commitment to supporting specialized, forward-looking workspace concepts. By providing the essential technological and operational framework, infinitSpace enables organizations like The Stack to concentrate on their unique value propositions, fostering community and driving strategic growth within their respective sectors.
