Fons Trompenaars Calls for Dutch National Investment Bank to Drive Innovation
Amsterdam, Tuesday, 16 September 2025.
Fons Trompenaars highlights the need for a Dutch National Investment Bank to address innovation challenges in digitalization and energy. Current ambiguity in funding allocations hampers progress.
The Push for a National Investment Bank
Prominent economist Fons Trompenaars has advocated for the establishment of a National Investment Bank in the Netherlands, emphasizing its potential role in enhancing innovation across sectors, particularly in digitalization and energy. This call comes as multiple political parties, including the VVD, D66, and GroenLinks-PvdA, have expressed support for such an initiative in their electoral programs, aiming to invest 3% of the GDP annually in research and development [1][2].
Challenges in Current Funding Structures
Despite these ambitions, the TNO Innovation Monitor 2025 has reported significant ambiguities in the funding allocations for innovation, highlighting the lack of clarity in current financial strategies [1][2]. Trompenaars believes that a National Investment Bank could provide a structured approach to fund allocation, ensuring that innovative projects are well-supported and that knowledge is adequately disseminated across sectors [1].
Political Support and Strategic Goals
A broad coalition of political parties, including GroenLinks-PvdA, have proposed substantial funds, such as a €25 billion Future Fund, to invest in sustainable industries and research [1]. These investments are seen as crucial for addressing the Netherlands’ significant transitions in digitalization and energy distribution. The government also plans to reduce nitrogen emissions by 50% in the mobility and industry sectors by 2035, further emphasizing the need for innovative solutions [3].
The Role of Leadership and Multidisciplinary Teams
Trompenaars also underscores the importance of leadership in fostering innovation, advocating for a multidisciplinary team to guide the National Investment Bank. He suggests that such a team should include specialists in marketing, finance, HR, and technology to ensure that the bank not only provides financial support but also facilitates knowledge sharing and collaboration among innovators [1]. The concept of ‘coopetition,’ where competitors collaborate to enhance their offerings, is highlighted as a beneficial strategy for innovation [1].