North Holland Province Renews GO!-NH Startup Acceleration Program with ROM InWest Partnership
Amsterdam, Wednesday, 14 January 2026.
The GO!-NH acceleration program has been revamped with a sharper focus and new implementation partners to support innovative companies in North Holland. ROM InWest now plays a crucial role in startup recruitment, selection, and guidance. The renewed program targets not only startups and scale-ups but also established SME companies with innovative products or services, broadening its reach to strengthen the entire regional entrepreneurial ecosystem in one of the Netherlands’ key economic regions.
Strategic Partnership Framework
ROM InWest’s involvement as a partner in the GO!-NH program represents a strategic alignment with the regional development company’s venture development approach [1]. Stef Mellema, business developer at ROM InWest, explains that “GO!-NH is a logical extension of our venture development approach” [1]. The partnership encompasses multiple phases of startup support, from initial setup and recruitment through selection processes and ongoing guidance for participating companies [1]. This comprehensive involvement positions ROM InWest as a key facilitator in connecting innovative businesses with the resources they need to scale effectively within the North Holland ecosystem.
Three-Tier Program Structure
The renewed GO!-NH program operates through three distinct program lines: Market Readiness, Scaling Readiness, and Alumni [1]. These programs combine guidance, workshops, and coaching based on the StartupFramework© methodology developed by Gritd and Tekkoo [1]. The program’s accessibility is enhanced by its free participation model, which operates on a registration and selection basis [1]. This structured approach allows companies at different stages of development to receive targeted support appropriate to their current needs, whether they are preparing for market entry, scaling operations, or maintaining growth momentum as program alumni.
Expanding Beyond Traditional Startups
A significant evolution in the renewed program is its expanded target audience beyond traditional startups and scale-ups. Mellema emphasizes that “we want to serve not only start-ups and scale-ups with GO!-NH, but also help SMEs further… Established companies with a new, innovative product or service can also accelerate through GO!-NH” [1]. This broader target group is considered crucial for strengthening the North Holland ecosystem [1]. The expansion reflects a recognition that innovation can emerge from various business contexts, not exclusively from newly formed companies, and that supporting established businesses in their innovation journeys can create additional economic value for the region.
Regional Ecosystem Integration
The GO!-NH program is deeply embedded within North Holland’s innovation landscape, involving multiple stakeholders including municipalities, knowledge institutions, financiers, and network organizations such as Ontwikkelingsbedrijf Noord-Holland Noord (ONHN) and PIM [1]. ROM InWest’s participation extends beyond the program itself to strengthening and expanding the broader ecosystem, ensuring entrepreneurs have continued access to knowledge, partners, and follow-up financing beyond the program’s duration [1]. This comprehensive network approach, commissioned by the province of Noord-Holland, creates a supportive environment where businesses can access multiple resources and expertise areas through interconnected partnerships [1]. The integration demonstrates how regional development initiatives can leverage existing institutional frameworks to create more robust support systems for entrepreneurship and innovation.