Trade Mission to the Battery Show in Detroit, USA!

Detroit, Michigan is the heart of the American automotive industry. Major OEMs such as Ford and General Motors, suppliers like Magna, and tech companies such as Google and Argo AI are based here. Despite political headwinds, battery technology remains a vital part of this ecosystem and essential for the electrification of mobility. This leading event attracts more than 1,150 exhibitors and over 20,000 visitors from the global battery and EV sector each year.

During the Battery Show, you’ll have the opportunity to showcase your innovative technology to potential investors, partners, and customers.

This mission focuses on accelerating sustainability in the mobility sector. Topics include:

• Raw materials and recycling
• Battery production and safety
• Innovation in electric vehicles and charging infrastructure
• Applications for heavy-duty vehicles and energy storage
• NextGen materials and manufacturing techniques

Who is it for?

This mission is intended for Dutch startups, scale-ups, SMEs, knowledge institutions, and government agencies active in:

• Battery development and materials
• Sustainable mobility solutions
• Technology for electric vehicles and infrastructure

If you do not fit the profile above but have a compelling reason to join the Battery Show 2026, please let us know in your application why you should be part of the Dutch delegation to the Battery Show.

Women’s Entrepreneurship

The government is committed to greater diversity. RVO specifically encourages women entrepreneurs to participate in trade missions. We do not select participants based on gender. However, we challenge you to look within your own organization for female participants for the mission.

Why participate?

By participating in this trade mission, you gain access to the international market, particularly the U.S. market. The mission focuses on supporting fast-growing Dutch companies that want to do business internationally or are already doing so. Together, we’ll put the Dutch EV ecosystem on the map.

The Battery Show offers the opportunity to:

• present your product or service to a large, international audience;
• have your product or service validated/tested;
• expand your international network;
• meet potential investors;
• generate media attention.

This takes concrete form through:

• Targeted B2B matchmaking with American companies and stakeholders
• Visits to The Battery Show, including guided tours and pavilions
• Company visits and networking activities in the Detroit region
• In-depth sector analyses and market insights
• Time for your own appointments and client visits

Not to be overlooked and extremely valuable: you can network with the other participants. Sharing experiences and each other’s networks often leads to partnerships and even clients.

Program

The mission is currently still being finalized. The program is therefore subject to change. An online information session will take place in the near future. In broad terms, the mission is as follows:

• Sunday evening, October 11: Welcome to Detroit and preparatory event
• Monday, October 12: Company visits
• Tuesday, October 13, through Thursday, October 15: You will visit the Battery Show at Huntington Place in Detroit.
• During meals and in the evenings, NL Network events and matchmaking sessions will take place on-site in downtown Detroit.

Participation and Costs

The participation fee is €500 per person, excluding VAT.

This includes:

• Access to the Battery Show;
• Participation in all side events of the mission;
• Networking opportunities with potential investors;

This does not include:

• Travel and accommodation costs
• Meals and social gatherings (unless otherwise stated in the program)

Registration

Registration for this mission to the Battery Show is open until July 15, 2026. Each participant must register separately.

Please note: Maximum of 30 participants, maximum of 2 participants per organization

It is important that the companies participating align with the mission’s structure and thematic focus. Registration therefore does not automatically guarantee participation in the mission. After the registration deadline, we will inform you whether you have been selected. The working language of the mission is English.

Organization

The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) is organizing this mission in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Chicago, IL, in the U.S., and Brainport Eindhoven.

Corporate Social Responsibility

The Dutch government considers corporate social responsibility (CSR)—including human rights—to be important and endorses the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on corporate social responsibility. Compliance with these OECD Guidelines is one of the conditions for participating in this mission.

Want to know more?

For questions, please contact:

Commissioned by: Ministry of Foreign Affairs