Noord-Holland Launches Revamped Business Acceleration Program with New Partners
Amsterdam, Wednesday, 24 December 2025.
The GO!-NH acceleration program has been restructured with ROM InWest as a key implementation partner, offering free support to innovative companies seeking market entry and growth. The program now serves a broader audience beyond startups, including established businesses with innovative products. Three companies are currently participating in the Scaling Readiness track, which provides masterclasses, coaching, and expert access to help businesses develop scalable growth strategies.
Strategic Partnership Strengthens Innovation Support
The renewed GO!-NH program operates under the commission of Noord-Holland province and represents a significant evolution in how the region supports business innovation [1]. ROM InWest, which provides capital, knowledge, and network support to innovative entrepreneurs in Noord-Holland, has been integrated as a partner in the organization, recruitment, selection, and guidance of participating companies [1]. This partnership creates what Stef Mellema, business developer at ROM InWest, describes as “a logical extension of our venture development approach” [1]. The enhanced collaboration means that “GO!-NH and ROM InWest are more firmly connected in the new setup, making it clearer and more effective for entrepreneurs,” according to Mellema [1].
Expanded Focus Beyond Traditional Startups
The program’s scope has been deliberately broadened to serve a more diverse business ecosystem. “We want GO!-NH to not only serve start-ups and scale-ups, but also help SMEs further,” Mellema explains [1]. The program now welcomes established companies with innovative products or services, recognizing that “this broader target group is important for the strength of the Noord-Holland ecosystem” [1]. The program consists of three distinct tracks: Market Readiness, Scaling Readiness, and Alumni [1]. Participation remains free of charge and operates on an application and selection basis [1]. The program utilizes the StartupFramework© developed by Gritd and Tekkoo [1].
Current Program Implementation and Participants
The GO!-NH program officially launched in 2025, with three ambitious companies from Noord-Holland Noord currently participating in the Scaling Readiness Program [2]. These companies, which have completed their market validation and are ready for the next growth phase, work within GO!-NH to develop scalable and future-proof growth strategies [2]. The program provides intensive one-on-one coaching, inspiring masterclasses, and access to a broad pool of experts to optimally prepare participants for responsible scaling [2]. As of December 2025, the program features monthly spotlights on participants, with Blue Ox from Opmeer highlighted in December [2].
Case Study: Blue Ox’s Strategic Focus Through GO!-NH
Blue Ox, based in Opmeer, exemplifies the type of company benefiting from the renewed program structure [2]. The company specializes in creating space for living and working with respect for people, environment, and future sustainability, offering solutions such as solar carports with energy storage systems [2]. Marc Geerlings, general manager of Blue Ox, emphasizes that “sustainability is not a checklist for us, but a continuous process” [2]. The company’s approach involves building integrated solutions where solar energy, battery storage, and smart energy management systems work seamlessly together [2]. Geerlings notes that the GO!-NH Scaling Readiness Program provided crucial strategic clarity: “We had so many ideas that focus became difficult. The coaches held up a mirror for us. Sometimes confronting, but exactly what was needed” [2]. The program also facilitated valuable networking, as participants “meet entrepreneurs from completely different sectors with the same questions, creating a strong sense of solidarity and shared ambition” [2].