Revamped GO!-NH Program Boosts Innovation in North Holland
Haarlem, Friday, 1 August 2025.
ROM InWest partners in the updated GO!-NH acceleration program, aiming to support regional entrepreneurs with a refined approach and targeted support for market growth.
Enhanced Strategies for North Holland Entrepreneurs
The GO!-NH acceleration program has been revamped with the aim of providing innovative support to startups and scale-ups in North Holland. This updated program features a three-part structure designed to assist early-stage companies in achieving market readiness, aid entrepreneurs poised for scaling, and encourage alumni to further develop their business models [1]. Utilizing the StartupFramework© developed by Gritd and Tekkoo, the program introduces a data-driven methodology that emphasizes fact-based decision-making over intuition. Stef Mellema, a business developer at ROM InWest, highlighted that this approach prevents reliance on gut feelings, underlining the significance of structured growth [1].
Collaborative Efforts to Strengthen the Ecosystem
ROM InWest, playing a central role in the renewed initiative, continues its commitment to bolstering the North Holland entrepreneurial ecosystem. As a regional development company, its mission aligns with enhancing sustainability and resilience in the local economy by facilitating investments and innovation [2]. Through managing funds such as the MKB-fund and the Transitiefonds, ROM InWest seeks to spur innovation within critical sectors, including AI, biotechnology, and green chemistry [2][3]. With approximately twenty professionals dedicated to transforming these strategic goals into tangible outcomes, ROM InWest remains a pivotal partner in this undertaking [2].
Integration with Regional Development Goals
Anchored in the broader innovation ecosystem, the GO!-NH program collaborates with municipalities, knowledge institutions, financiers, and network organizations to foster an environment conducive to economic growth [1]. The program not only targets startups and scale-ups but also introduces opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to explore new innovative products and services [1]. The alignment with regional development strategies assures that initiatives such as GO!-NH are consistently working towards bridging the structural research and development investment gap North Holland faces, estimated at €1.2 billion annually [2].
Future Prospects and Strategic Plans
As North Holland prepares for its next phase of economic development, initiatives such as the GO!-NH accelerate strategic engagement with emerging technology sectors. Future analyses under the National Technology Strategy (NTS) are expected to highlight further growth opportunities post-summer 2025 [3]. In tandem, ROM InWest is positioning to support industry transitions that contribute towards a circular economy and an integrated energy transition, marked by innovative projects shaped in collaboration with regional stakeholders [2].