From idea to scalable solution
The current economy is still heavily focused on ‘take-make-waste’. That traditional system depletes our raw materials, pollutes our environment, harms biodiversity and the climate, and makes us dependent on raw materials from other countries. The question is not whether, but how we can transition to a more circular economy and sustainable production – for example, of electronics, furniture, and textiles.
The ecological necessity is not diminishing and remains urgent. However, the focus in the market is shifting. Themes such as raw material security and independence from international supply chains are rising higher on the agenda. Circularity is increasingly becoming a strategic choice. In this way, companies are trying to secure their raw materials and arm themselves against supply chain disruptions.
This holds enormous opportunities for you as an innovative entrepreneur! Are you working on a sustainable solution for construction, developing or processing biological materials, or does your innovative product or service contribute to the utilisation of residual streams? We would be happy to help you develop your idea further into a scalable solution for the market.
This is how ROM InWest helps
We support you as an innovative entrepreneur in becoming bankable faster, finding funding, and growing healthily. We do this through ecosystem development, one-on-one coaching, accelerator programmes, and investments.
We know that startups often struggle to find growth financing. Because development trajectories are often long and uncertain, many private investors find it too risky to get involved early on. Banks often only come into play when a company is further along. ROM InWest supports entrepreneurs in North Holland in becoming investable and, where possible, we invest in early-stage entrepreneurs with social and economic relevance.
We support businesses through Innovate, Invest and building ecosystems.
The way within ecosystems
North Holland is home to many different, smaller ecosystems in the field of the circular economy. This means entrepreneurs, investors and knowledge institutions regularly encounter each other within networks, workshops and programmes. Connections are made there that facilitate new collaborations. For example, the Green Chemistry, New Economy platform contributes to the faster sustainability of industry, and the Amsterdam Economic Board plays an important role in administrative developments surrounding the circular economy in the Amsterdam region. For the construction sector, ROM InWest has further expanded the existing DigiC ecosystem to our province. Within DigiC, companies work on digital challenges and solutions for a circular construction economy. ROM InWest is part of these various initiatives. This gives us a good overview of all the forums with which we can help you quickly find your way within the right ecosystem.
Accelerator programmes and ecosystems for entrepreneurs
In a Accelerator programme You will sharpen your proposition, market position, and growth path by working on critical questions, targeted assignments, and collaborative sessions with other entrepreneurs. Programmes such as GO!NH, PIM, and DigiC align well with companies within the circular economy. DigiC is specifically designed for entrepreneurs who are making housing more sustainable with digital solutions. DigiC helps you to expand your network, gain knowledge, and secure or assign assignments. Our business developers are happy to help you consider which programme best suits you.
Subsidy opportunities
The government encourages entrepreneurs who contribute to the transition to a circular economy, for instance through various subsidy opportunities. One example of this is the Demonstration Energy & Climate Innovation (DEI+): Biobased Circular. Have you developed an innovation with which you can test or demonstrate polyesters from bio-based carbohydrate-rich raw materials? Or does your innovation lead to more circular processes and less CO2-emission? Then you can apply for the DEI+ subsidy for the pilot or demonstration of this technique. You can find more options on the website of RFO. Our business developers will be happy to guide you through the subsidy landscape.
Are you looking for investments, networking, or knowledge for your circular economy innovation?
Then we're here for you! We support gamechangers in North Holland: ambitious start-ups and scale-ups, and SMEs that develop smart solutions, particularly for circular construction, green chemistry, and critical raw materials. It's precisely in these areas that we see much potential for impact. Get in touch and discover how we can help you.
