Lotte Vandewalle: Making Innovation More Human
From Belgium to Silicon Valley and Back Again
When Lotte Vandewalle reflects on her journey, it is one shaped by movement across borders and a love for international collaboration. Originally from Belgium, she spent years in Silicon Valley immersed in the fast-paced startup scene before moving to South Holland. “I fell in love with the whole startup world,” she says. “The Netherlands invests a lot in innovation, and it gave me the opportunity to continue what I had been doing abroad, but closer to home.”
Making Tech Human at Qualinx
Today, Lotte is HR Director at Qualinx, a deep-tech semiconductor scale-up based in Delft. The company has 57 employees representing 23 nationalities, with just a handful of Dutch staff. Recruiting globally is not a deliberate diversity policy, but a necessity driven by the scarcity of highly specialised skills. “It is not easy to find the right expertise locally, so we hire talent from all over the world,” Lotte explains. “It started as a challenge, but now it has become part of our strength.” For her, the diversity of perspectives, cultures, and experiences is what makes the work environment thrive.
“Working with internationals opens your mind. You learn new ways of looking at problems, food, culture — everything.”
Finding Home Between Delft and The Hague
Lotte lives in Delft, a city she describes as cosy and historic, but often makes her way to The Hague for food and culture. “You need to be in The Hague for Mexican food,” she laughs. “It has the big city buzz, but at the same time it feels warm and welcoming.” The proximity of cities in South Holland is something she appreciates after living in the United States. “In Silicon Valley, everything is hours away. Here, you can live in Delft, work in Rotterdam, and meet friends in The Hague — it is all connected, and that makes life easier.”
Settling Into Dutch Life
Though Belgium is just across the border, she says life in the Netherlands feels very different. From the honesty and hospitality of the Dutch to the ease of biking everywhere, the culture quickly grew on her. Cycling, in particular, feels liberating. “The infrastructure is amazing. You can go everywhere safely by bike,” she says. She has also embraced Dutch work-life balance, which she compares favourably to her experiences in Silicon Valley. “The Dutch dare to take risks and innovate, but they also know how to protect their personal time. That balance is really valuable.”
Connecting Through Work and Beyond
At Qualinx, Lotte plays a key role in helping internationals integrate. The company organises running and cycling clubs, giving colleagues a way to share hobbies and learn from each other outside the office. For Lotte, creating culture is about more than contracts or onboarding processes. It is about community. “We have people from all over the world. Helping them feel connected to each other is just as important as connecting them to their work.”
Partnering With The Hague International Centre
Her connection to The Hague International Centre began in a previous role, when she first learned about their services for newcomers. Now, she regularly points new employees in their direction. “It is the first place I send internationals,” she says. “They provide clear steps for everything from housing to paperwork, and even tips on Dutch habits. It saves people a lot of stress and helps them feel at home faster.” For Lotte, the Centre also offers value to companies like Qualinx, from advice on grants to connections with local partners.
Making a Life Here
Outside of work, she enjoys the simplicity of Dutch traditions, from sharing walks during lunch breaks to indulging in fresh stroopwafels at the market. Boxing Day has become her favourite Dutch holiday, simply because it offers a moment of calm after the celebrations of Christmas. She laughs about small customs that still surprise her, like congratulating not only the birthday person but their entire family. “It is strange at first, but also really beautiful,” she says.
Looking Ahead
Four years into her life in the Netherlands, Lotte feels rooted in a new way. Not fully Belgian, not fully Dutch, but part of a broader international community. “As an international, you never belong to just one place,” she says. “You carry pieces of everywhere you have lived.” For her, The Hague region represents exactly that: a mosaic of people, cultures, and opportunities where internationals can thrive.
The Hague International Centre 15 Year Anniversary
If you are new to The Hague, supporting newcomers, or working to grow a company that depends on international talent, visit The Hague International Centre. Whether you are looking for information, inspiration, or collaboration, it is the place to start. Over the past 15 years, the International Centre has welcomed 60.000 internationals from all walks of life, each bringing their unique perspectives and experiences.
