“The Netherlands is changing,” Nieboer said in the Noordhollands Dagblad. “Out of necessity, for example because of the war in Ukraine, the urgency for transition is being reinforced. I am convinced that many companies have good ideas for that.”
For entrepreneurs who are not yet at the stage where they can interest large banks or investors in their plan, ROM InWest is intended. This regional development company has two funds, which are filled with money from the province, municipalities and the national government.
Feelers
ROM InWest – the ninth and last regional development company established in the Netherlands – focuses on the North Holland SME sector. From the Haarlem Koepel, the employees have been putting out their feelers since October last year. Their interest is mainly in companies that can contribute to the transition to a greener and more inclusive economy.
Companies like the two Amsterdam companies that have already received funding. The first is Quicargo, an online platform that connects empty cargo space to companies that want to have pallet loads or packages transported. The second company is Woon Duurzaam, which offers homeowners the opportunity to make their homes gas-free and energy-neutral through a tailor-made plan.
Family businesses
Nieboer is convinced that there are many more companies with good ideas. "Family businesses that want to work in a more environmentally friendly way. Or start-ups of people with an academic background, who want to start something based on their knowledge." ROM InWest has two funds - the SME fund for innovation (60 million euros) and the Transition Fund (100 million) for entrepreneurs in the energy transition and the circular economy.
ROM InWest also offers guidance. "We really engage in conversation, to see where things get stuck. We help them formulate their proposition better or expand their network. We can also connect them to other investors - we participate for a maximum of 49 percent ourselves."
Death Valley. That is the figurative term for the period when a good business idea has been worked out, but has not yet managed to attract money. Many companies that think about a circular way of doing business come up against that, says Nieboer. Because their idea deprives others of their revenue model.
Disposable diapers
"Suppose someone can teach parents to toilet-train their babies much faster. So that the children do not wear a (disposable) diaper for years, but sometimes only for nine months. That affects the revenue model of diaper manufacturers, but does make a major contribution to the world. Investors should not only think about the financial return, but also about the social return."
