Funding opportunities for Dutch innovative startups

In 2025, the government is making more money than ever available to help innovative startups become successful. This amounts to 150 million euros, divided between the schemes Innovation Credit, Seed Capital, Thematic Technology Transfer (TTT) and Early Stage Financing (VFF). These schemes are now open for applications through the Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland (RVO) website. RVO implements the schemes on behalf of the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

From the Innovation Credit, 50 million euros is available this year. This financing is intended to develop innovative projects with substantial technical risks and a good market perspective. The Innovation Credit makes innovations possible that otherwise - due to too significant a technical risk - would not have gotten off the ground. In most cases, the Innovation Credit finances a maximum of 45% of the project. The rest of the financing must come from resources.

This year a total of 10 million for clinical development projects, 10 million for technical development projects and 30 million for both clinical and technical development projects is available. Applications can be submitted until December 31, 2025. More information.

Seed capital

A total of 45 million euros becomes available through the Seed Capital scheme. Of this, 25 million euros is intended for start-up funds that invest in deep tech companies. With the Seed Capital scheme, the government provides an interest-free loan with attractive conditions for repayment to a start-up fund. This loan is up to 12 million euros and has a maximum term of 12 years. The government doubles the investment of private investors in the fund.

The startup funds invest this money in technologically innovative startups that are in the early business stage. Per startup, a fund can provide between 100,000 and 5 million euros. With this financial incentive, more startups can develop into successful companies. The Seed Capital scheme is open for applications until April 2, 2025. More information.

Seed business angel

Through the Seed Business Angel scheme, 4 million euros will become available this year. With this scheme, the government provides an interest-free loan of up to €1 million to a business angel fund, with a maximum term of 12 years. A minimum of two and a maximum of ten business angels jointly put in a minimum of 100,000 euros per angel. The government doubles their total deposit. The business angel fund invests between 50,000 and 500,000 euros per startup. The funds focus on technologically innovative startups in a very early business stage. In addition to capital, business angels assist entrepreneurs with their knowledge, network and experience. Applications and more information.

Thematic Technology Transfer (TTT)

A new tender has been launched for the TTT regulation for which 40 million euros is available. Never before has so much money been available through this scheme. This funding contributes to cooperation between research organizations and the market. It encourages research organizations to invest jointly in innovative startups within the Netherlands. These startups must build on the knowledge of the research organizations.

In addition, the tender TTT Pandemic Preparedness has also been launched. This tender is specifically for projects that prepare the Netherlands for future pandemics. Eight million euros is available for this purpose.

With the TTT scheme, the government is helping to make more money available for startups in the high-risk, initial development phase. The TTT regulation stimulates investors and research organizations to find each other better and cooperate so that innovative inventions can be developed and brought to the market. The TTT scheme also helps research organizations, researchers and students to understand market needs at an earlier stage. This should increase the chances of success for these startups. The TTT scheme is open for applications until April 15, 2025. More information.

Early stage

Funds are also available for Early Phase Financing (VFF) for 2025, totaling €2.25 million. Through this scheme, startups and SMEs can investigate whether an idea has a chance of succeeding in the market. This allows entrepreneurs to take their ideas from the planning phase to the start-up phase and take the next step. Entrepreneurs from Friesland, Groningen, Drenthe and Flevoland can apply for the VFF loan through the national counter on the website of RVO. Entrepreneurs from other provinces can apply at their regional counter. The Early Stage Financing is open until December 31, 2025. More information.