Whether it’s grants, funds, schemes or awards, as an entrepreneur there are all sorts of opportunities available to expand your network and secure much-needed funding. As we do every quarter, we’ve listed five interesting examples below.
High-tech and AI
Value Creation Capital (VCC) is setting up two funds to support fast-growing start-ups and scale-ups in the fields of High Tech and AI. Other investors, alongside VCC, include TNO Tech Transfer Holding, Oost NL and Innovatiefonds Overijssel (IFO).
The first of the two funds is the VCC Deep Tech Fund, with a maximum size of 50 million euros, aimed at innovative scale-ups. In addition, there is the VCC Deep Tech Seed Fund, with 10 million euros available, for scale-ups at an earlier stage (seed and early-stage scale-ups). VCC’s press release does not provide any details on how to apply, but it does include an email address (w.vandenberg@valuecreationcapital.com) and a telephone number.
Nitrogen and agriculture
It is a highly topical issue: nitrogen emissions in the agricultural sector. The province of Gelderland is now making grants available for potential innovations. The grant scheme consists of two parts. Firstly, it covers innovations aimed at reducing nitrogen emissions from livestock housing systems. Grants may also be applied for in respect of investments in existing technologies that have been proven to reduce nitrogen emissions or deposition.
For the innovation component, only partnerships involving at least one livestock farm are eligible. For the modernisation component, an individual livestock farm may apply for a grant. The maximum grant depends on many factors, but can be up to 800,000 euros per application for the innovation component and up to 150,000 euros for modernisation. You can find more information here and submit an application.
Innovation projects
This summer, the EU approved the proposal from the Eastern Netherlands to allocate over 82 million euros in ERDF grants. As a result, the fund was opened for the first time on 15 September. Entrepreneurs can now apply for grants for general innovation projects and energy innovation projects. These involve partnerships between SMEs, or between SMEs and large companies and/or research institutions.
For this initial round, a total of 15 million euros is available in Gelderland and Overijssel. This funding will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Further information, including details on how to submit an application, can be found on this page.
Sustainable trucks
Entrepreneurs wishing to buy or lease a sustainable CNG or LNG lorry can apply for a grant from the provincial authorities. The province aims to promote clean and sustainable freight transport through this scheme. The grant amounts to 8,000 euros per lorry.
Companies with at least one branch in Gelderland may apply for a grant for up to seven lorries. Quotations for the purchase or lease of the lorry or lorries must not be more than one year old. The grant scheme runs until the end of 2023. Further information is available here.
Award for starters
Anyone taking part in the ‘Starter with Impact Eastern Netherlands 2022’ competition can win a prize of 7,500 euros. The prize is open to anyone who has started a business in the past five years that contributes to a sustainable future for our society.
The competition is organised by Oost NL’s Startversneller programme, in collaboration with the provinces of Gelderland and Overijssel. Anyone wishing to take part will need to act quickly: registration closes on 1 October. The festive awards ceremony will take place on Friday afternoon, 18 November, at a special venue. Among those attending will be provincial executives and members of the provincial councils of Gelderland and Overijssel. Click here for more information.
