The International Trade Facility is intended for Dutch startups, scaleups and innovative SMEs that want to contribute to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with their international growth ambitions. Invest International and the ROMs will jointly finance these Dutch companies and/or support them in gaining access to the right (financing) instruments from, among others, the ROMs, Invest International, major banks, RVO and Atradius.
Martijn van Gruijthuijsen, chairman of the Regional Economy committee of the Interprovincial Consultation, calls the initiative "Good news for our innovative SMEs and regional earning capacity. This facility gives a much-needed boost to companies that are working on solutions for the social challenges of today and tomorrow."
“The market share of ROMs in the Dutch venture capital market is almost 60% and a significant part of our portfolio companies has international growth ambitions. This collaboration gives our startups direct access to support and capital and can give a significant boost to the successful growth of Dutch startups worldwide,” says Brigit van Dijk – Van de Reijt on behalf of ROM-Nederland.
“The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) offer companies in the Netherlands enormous business opportunities. Together with the regional development companies, we want to invest in the innovative solutions of frontrunners,” says Joost Oorthuizen, CEO of Invest International.
Inventory
The reason for the International Trade Facility is an inventory by the ROMs which shows that twenty percent of Dutch startups have international aspirations, but that this target group of startups, scaleups and SMEs only succeeds to a limited extent in making the step to foreign markets. Their propositions are often experienced as too risky or too complex by other investors in the early phase. If they do receive financing, it is often at high costs for relatively small tickets. In addition, there is often a lack of substantive guidance.
The collaboration between Invest International and the ROMs brings together capital, international networks, access to regional companies and experience with different forms of risk capital.
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Entrepreneurs entering international markets can contact the development agency in their region or Invest International.
