After a brief introduction the extension of engineering education in the Netherlands after World War II is described. A scheme of the national education system is given. Some attention is paid to post-academic education in engineering and to practical training in industry. Throughout the paper the question of funding is emphasised. The core of the paper is devoted to a new phenomenon at the Universities of Technology in the Netherlands, namely the ‘Transfer Points’ and the help given to new entrepreneurs. A plea is made for a better contact between the Higher Technical Schools and industry, to improve the training and understanding of students as well as staff in industry and for enhancing feedback of experience in industry to the curriculum planners for the future.