GO!-NH has been a well-known accelerator programme in the province for years. The new format uses Gritd and Tekkoo's StartupFramework©, accelerators for start-ups, scale-ups and innovations of established companies. ROM InWest sees great value in this approach and helps entrepreneurs accelerate from market-fit to scale-up through the programme. “For us, GO!-NH is a logical extension of our venture development approach,” says Stef Mellema, business developer at ROM InWest. “We guide entrepreneurs on an individual level every day, but with GO!-NH we do it programmatically, in a pressure cooker, together with other companies and the regional ecosystem.”
Why ROM InWest is a partner in GO!-NH
ROM InWest was established to support innovative entrepreneurs in North Holland with capital, knowledge and network. GO!-NH connects seamlessly with this. Through our role in the set-up and guidance within the programme, we ensure that the expertise from our venture development practice is used directly in the GO!-NH processes. Moreover, we can direct entrepreneurs to follow-up steps within our network. This can also be towards our own investment funds. “In the new set-up, GO!-NH and ROM InWest are more firmly connected. That makes it clearer and more effective for entrepreneurs,” says Stef.
From idea to scale-up: phased approach
GO!-NH consists of three programme lines:
- Market Readiness: for early stage, market-fit companies
- Scaling Readiness: for entrepreneurs ready to scale up and invest
- Alumni: for former participants: companies that still want to move forward
All programmes combine mentoring, workshops and coaching based on the StartupFramework©, a data-driven methodology developed by implementers Gritd and Tekkoo. “What we like about this approach is that it is based on facts rather than gut feeling,” Mellema says. “Growth decisions are underpinned by metrics and focus is given to activities that fit the life stage of a company. Consistency in the growth path is essential, and something we as ROM InWest also embrace in our own approach.”
Strengthening the North Holland ecosystem
A key feature of GO!-NH is its anchoring in the regional ecosystem. From municipalities and knowledge institutions to financiers and network organisations such as the Development Company NHN and PIM: the programme is supported by parties active in the North Holland innovation world. ROM InWest participates in strengthening and expanding that ecosystem. In this way, we ensure that entrepreneurs are not only helped within the programme, but also keep access to knowledge, partners and follow-up financing afterwards. “With GO!-NH, we don't only want to serve start-ups and scale-ups, but also to help SMEs further,” Stef emphasises. “Established companies with a new, innovative product or service can also accelerate through GO!-NH. This broader target group is important for the strength of the North Holland ecosystem.”
Want to know more?
GO!-NH is commissioned by the province of North Holland. ROM InWest is a partner in the organisation and implementation . Participation is free of charge and based on application and selection.
More information on the programme is available at here or on the website of the province of Nood-Holland.
