North Holland Launches Digital Program to Transform Construction Industry
North Holland, Sunday, 1 March 2026.
ROM InWest has launched DigiC, a groundbreaking initiative connecting innovative entrepreneurs with major construction companies to accelerate sustainable building practices through digital solutions. The program addresses North Holland’s critical housing shortage while tackling limited space and raw materials constraints. Early participants have already secured contracts they might never have obtained otherwise, with companies like Planalogic creating digital home designs that minimize waste and BIM Projects developing smart models for predictable maintenance. DigiC represents a shift from traditional construction methods to circular, digital approaches that reduce environmental impact while meeting the region’s substantial building demands.
From Utrecht Success to Regional Expansion
The DigiC program’s expansion to North Holland follows a successful pilot that began in Utrecht in 2023 [1]. ROM Utrecht initially launched DigiC with a focus on using digitalization as an accelerator for circular and sustainable construction [1]. The program’s effectiveness became evident when innovative companies from Amsterdam, Almere, and Alkmaar joined the Utrecht initiative, prompting ROM InWest to question why the program shouldn’t be implemented across the entire ROM network [1]. According to Birgitta Kramer, Senior Business Developer at ROM InWest, entrepreneurs participating in the original program secured contracts they might never have obtained otherwise [1].
Addressing Critical Construction Challenges
North Holland faces substantial construction demands complicated by severe spatial and resource constraints [1]. The region’s construction task is significant, and given the shortage of space and raw materials, new buildings must be immediately optimized for circular design, digital integration, and innovation while eliminating waste [1]. DigiC specifically targets entrepreneurs working on circular and digital solutions in the construction sector, including startups with new technologies and scale-ups bringing fresh ideas to the building industry [1]. The program operates as an action-oriented initiative that immediately connects innovative entrepreneurs with major construction companies rather than simply facilitating discussions [1].
Proven Results and Market Innovation
Several companies have already demonstrated concrete achievements through the DigiC program [1]. Planalogic, based in Amsterdam, has developed digital home designs that minimize waste [1]. Packhunt, also from Amsterdam, created first-time-right design approaches for area development [1]. BIM Projects from Alkmaar has produced smart Building Information Modeling systems that make maintenance predictable and efficient [1]. These innovations directly contribute to smarter and faster construction processes while reducing raw material waste and minimizing environmental disruption [1].
Building Innovation Ecosystems and Future Impact
DigiC facilitates market innovation days where builders and innovative entrepreneurs collaborate on concrete market challenges, such as circular renovation within limited carbon budgets [1]. These events feature inspirational real-world case studies and intellectual challenges, including the sustainable modernization of social real estate using artificial intelligence [1]. The program enables entrepreneurs to meet during matchmaking sessions, exchange knowledge, and secure new contracts while contributing to a robust construction ecosystem where companies of all sizes collaborate [1]. Kramer considers DigiC successful when entrepreneurs can implement their innovations at scale, which represents the true impact for the region [1]. ROM InWest provides additional support by guiding companies through growth phases and securing further financing [1].