North Holland Launches Digital Construction Program to Combat Building Crisis
North Holland, Friday, 19 December 2025.
DigiC connects startups with major construction firms to revolutionize sustainable building practices through digital innovation. The program addresses North Holland’s massive construction challenge by ensuring new projects immediately meet circular economy standards while minimizing waste of space and raw materials.
Regional Expansion from Utrecht Success
The DigiC program represents an expansion of a successful initiative that originated in Utrecht in 2023 [1]. ROM InWest has brought the program to North Holland following strong results in the Utrecht region, where participating entrepreneurs secured contracts they might never have obtained otherwise [1]. Birgitta Kramer, Senior Business Developer at ROM InWest, explains that innovative companies from Amsterdam, Almere, and Alkmaar had already joined the original Utrecht program, prompting the decision to expand ROM-wide [1]. The program specifically targets entrepreneurs working on circular and digital solutions in the construction sector, including startups with new technologies and scale-ups with fresh ideas for the building industry [1].
Concrete Industry Applications and Results
DigiC operates as an action-oriented program that immediately connects innovative entrepreneurs with major construction companies to deliver tangible outcomes [1]. The initiative focuses on smarter and faster building methods while reducing raw material waste and minimizing environmental disruption [1]. Several companies have already achieved concrete results through the program, including Planalogic from Amsterdam, which develops digital housing designs that minimize waste [1]. BIM Projects, based in Alkmaar, creates intelligent BIM models that make maintenance predictable and efficient [1]. Additionally, Packhunt from Amsterdam contributes “first time right” design approaches for area development [1]. These collaborations demonstrate the program’s capacity to transform theoretical innovations into practical construction solutions.
Market Innovation Days Drive Collaboration
The program’s market innovation days serve as catalysts for industry transformation by bringing builders and innovative entrepreneurs together to address concrete market challenges [1]. During these events, participants tackle specific problems such as circular renovation within limited CO2 budgets and the sustainability of community real estate using artificial intelligence [1]. These gatherings facilitate matchmaking between entrepreneurs, knowledge exchange, and contract acquisition while contributing to a robust construction ecosystem where companies of all sizes collaborate [1]. Kramer emphasizes that the energy generated during these collaborative sessions represents one of the most rewarding aspects of the program [1]. The initiative aligns with broader circular economy efforts in the region, as demonstrated by organizations like Circulair Westfriesland, which focuses on knowledge sharing, high-value material utilization, and short supply chains [2].
Scaling Innovation for Regional Impact
The ultimate success metric for DigiC centers on enabling entrepreneurs to implement their innovations at scale, which Kramer identifies as the key to achieving meaningful regional impact [1]. The program provides access to contracts, partners, and financing opportunities, serving as the bridge where ideas become reality [1]. ROM InWest supports participating companies throughout their growth journey and assists with securing additional funding [1]. The initiative’s focus on immediate practical application allows entrepreneurs to test their innovations directly in the market while building new business relationships [1]. For entrepreneurs in North Holland working on sustainable and digital construction solutions, DigiC offers a pathway to test, accelerate, and scale their innovations in real-world applications [1]. This systematic approach to innovation deployment positions North Holland as a leader in sustainable construction practices while addressing the province’s significant building challenges through digital transformation.