Dutch Investment Program Helps Small Businesses Raise €290 Million Over Eight Years
Amsterdam, Wednesday, 8 April 2026.
Noord-Holland’s Investment-Ready Innovative SME Program has achieved remarkable success, supporting 1,200 entrepreneurs and facilitating €290 million in capital raises since its launch. The program provides up to six days of personalized guidance to help small and medium enterprises improve their investment readiness and connect with financiers. ROM InWest recently became the program manager in January 2026, expanding support across mission-driven sectors including energy transition, healthcare, agriculture, and key technologies. This partnership addresses a critical funding gap for Dutch SMEs seeking growth capital in competitive markets.
Comprehensive Support Framework for Innovation-Driven Growth
The Investment-Ready Innovative SME Program (PIM) operates as a strategic initiative of Province Noord-Holland, offering tailored support that extends far beyond basic business advice [1]. According to program details, the support consists of customized guidance that can include creating financial models, developing business plans, and finding relevant partners within the ecosystem [1]. This comprehensive approach addresses the complex challenges that innovative SMEs face when preparing for investment rounds, particularly in technical sectors where business models may be difficult for traditional investors to understand.
Targeting Mission-Critical Sectors
PIM specifically targets entrepreneurs operating in mission-driven sectors that are crucial for societal and economic transformation [1]. These sectors include Energy Transition & Sustainability, Agriculture, Water & Food, Health & Care, Safety, and Key Technologies [1]. This targeted approach ensures that public investment supports ventures that align with broader policy objectives while addressing market failures in these critical areas. The program’s sector focus has proven effective in creating a pipeline of investment-ready companies in areas where traditional venture capital may be hesitant to invest due to longer development cycles or regulatory complexities.
Strategic Partnership Enhances Regional Ecosystem
ROM InWest’s appointment as program manager beginning in January 2026 represents a significant expansion of the program’s capabilities [2]. The regional development agency brings established relationships with ecosystem partners throughout Noord-Holland, facilitating stronger connections between entrepreneurs and potential investors [1]. This partnership enables PIM to reach a broader target group than ROM InWest’s traditional focus, allowing program advisors to work with entrepreneurs across a more diverse range of sectors [1]. The collaboration strengthens the overall innovation ecosystem in the Noord-Holland region by creating more efficient pathways from early-stage innovation to investment-ready ventures.
Recent Investment Success Stories Demonstrate Program Impact
Recent investments facilitated through the Noord-Holland ecosystem demonstrate the program’s effectiveness in connecting innovative companies with growth capital. Healthplus.ai, an AI healthcare company, raised €2.3 million in April 2026 to expand its PERISCOPE® system for predicting surgical complications [2][3]. HeartEye secured €1.675 million for early detection of heart conditions, with ROM InWest participating alongside other investors [2]. Additionally, Amplio Pharma raised over €1.3 million for rheumatism treatment development, with investment from ROM InWest, Libertatis Ergo Holding, Amsterdam UMC Ventures Holding, and Innovatiefonds Noord-Holland [2]. These successful funding rounds illustrate how the program’s investment readiness support translates into tangible capital raises for participating companies, particularly in the critical healthcare and life sciences sectors where regulatory complexity often challenges traditional investment approaches.