Dutch Regional Firms Invest €1 Billion in Innovation
Amsterdam, Monday, 18 August 2025.
Since 2021, over €1 billion invested by Dutch regional firms has fueled innovation, aiding over 2,500 SMEs and boosting internationalization amidst economic and climate challenges.
Investment Impact Across Regions
Dutch regional development companies have significantly impacted innovation since 2021, with a collective investment of over €1 billion directed towards more than 2,500 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). These investments are targeted at expanding innovation in the realms of development, investment, and internationalization, thereby addressing key challenges related to economic disruption and climate change. This strategic financial input aims to strengthen the Netherlands’ innovation capacity and improve economic resilience [1].
Sector-Specific Contributions and Results
In 2024 alone, the regional development companies, known as ROMs, invested €236 million across 538 innovation projects. These investments have notably grown the ROMs’ portfolio to include 1,137 innovative enterprises. Additionally, efforts in 2024 attracted 155 foreign companies, which together invested over €2 billion into the Dutch economy, promising the creation of more than 4,500 high-quality jobs in the coming years [1]. In Northern Netherlands, for instance, NOM supports businesses through financing options and collaborative opportunities in innovative clusters [3].
Innovation in Practice: Regional Highlights
Concrete examples of innovation brought about by these investments can be seen across different regions. In Noord-Holland, for example, DOPS Recycling Technologies’ Direct Carbon Immobilization technology transforms waste streams into reusable products like synthetic gas and activated carbon, all while reducing CO₂ emissions significantly compared to traditional methods [1]. This reflects the ROMs’ approach of supporting ground-breaking innovations that provide sustainable solutions.
Future Outlook and Continued Efforts
The commitment of the regional development companies to fuel innovation in the Netherlands is underscored by their coordination with various national and international entities. Future initiatives by these ROMs aim to not only maintain this trajectory but also potentially expand it. Such initiatives include efforts to enhance the strategic autonomy of the Netherlands, as demonstrated by the newly established ChipNL Competence Centre focused on semiconductor innovation and supported by various developmental agencies [6][7]. As the Dutch economy continues to ride the wave of technological advancement, these investments stand to keep Dutch enterprises at the forefront of international innovation [1].