Dutch Regional Companies Pour €1 Billion Into Innovation Since 2021

2025-12-27 community

Netherlands, Saturday, 27 December 2025.
Nine regional development companies across the Netherlands have collectively invested over €1 billion in innovation projects since 2021, supporting more than 2,500 small and medium-sized enterprises. The investment focuses on three critical areas: innovation development, investment facilitation, and internationalization support.

Record Investment Year Drives Innovation Ecosystem

The achievement represents a significant milestone for the Netherlands’ innovation ecosystem, with the nine regional development companies (ROMs) demonstrating sustained commitment to technological advancement across the country [1]. In 2024 alone, the ROMs invested €236 million through 538 innovation projects, bringing their cumulative contribution since 2021 to the €1 billion threshold [1]. This coordinated approach underscores the strategic importance placed on regional innovation networks in maintaining the Netherlands’ competitive position in global markets.

Comprehensive Support Beyond Financial Investment

The ROMs’ impact extends far beyond direct financial contributions, encompassing a broad spectrum of business development activities. In 2024, these organizations invested €215 million across 367 companies, expanding their total portfolio to 1,137 innovative enterprises [1]. The comprehensive support structure addresses three fundamental pillars of business growth: innovation development, investment facilitation, and internationalization assistance [1]. This multi-faceted approach ensures that small and medium-sized enterprises receive not only capital but also the strategic guidance necessary to scale their operations effectively.

International Investment Attraction Yields Significant Returns

The ROMs’ internationalization efforts have generated substantial economic returns, with 155 foreign companies attracted to invest more than €2 billion in the Dutch economy during 2024 [1]. These international investments are projected to create over 4,500 high-quality jobs in the coming years, demonstrating the tangible economic impact of the ROMs’ strategic approach [1]. The success in attracting foreign direct investment reflects the strength of the Netherlands’ innovation ecosystem and the effectiveness of regional development strategies in positioning local companies for global partnerships.

Regional Innovation Success Stories

Concrete examples of ROM-supported innovations illustrate the practical impact of these investments across different sectors. In Noord-Holland, DOPS has developed Direct Carbon Immobilization technology that transforms difficult-to-process waste streams into reusable products like synthetic gas and activated carbon, achieving significantly lower CO₂ emissions than traditional processing methods [1]. Similarly, HeartEye, a Dutch MedTech startup founded in 2021, has created a mobile device capable of producing a complete diagnostic 12-lead ECG in 30 seconds, comparable to hospital-grade equipment quality [3]. These innovations demonstrate how ROM support facilitates breakthrough technologies that address critical environmental and healthcare challenges while creating commercial value.

Strategic Funding Model Enables Sustainable Growth

The ROMs operate through a collaborative funding model that combines resources from regional, national, and European sources, enabling them to accelerate societal transitions while building sustainable economic value [1]. According to ROM Nederland chairperson Wendy de Jong, this approach allows regional development companies to function as catalysts, connectors, and financiers, transforming regional innovative entrepreneurship into national and international success stories [1]. The model’s effectiveness is evidenced by its ability to support over 2,500 SMEs since 2021, creating a robust foundation for continued innovation across the Netherlands’ diverse regional economies [1]. This sustained investment pattern reflects the Dutch government’s recognition of ROMs as critical infrastructure for maintaining technological competitiveness and economic resilience in an increasingly complex global marketplace [GPT].

Bronnen

innovation investment regional development