The Netherlands in the European top for tech investments: how BOM contributes to this success

The fact that the Netherlands is firmly entrenched in the top European markets for technology investment is largely due to the Brabant Development Agency (BOM). In a recent report by the European Patent Office (EPO), BOM featured prominently alongside the European Innovation Council and Eurostars as leading Dutch tech investors. According to Marc Jansen, as Managing Director of Investments the leader of Brabant's investment arm, this is not only because of the region's strong technological base, but also because of his organization's strategic approach. How did BOM achieve that position of catalyst for technological innovation and economic growth in the Netherlands?

A region rooted in technology

“It all starts with Brabant as a tech-oriented region,” says Jansen. “A huge amount of IP (intellectual property, ed.) is developed here, which is the basis for our strength.” The region's technological focus, combined with strategic investments, ensures that Brabant remains a breeding ground for innovations.

BOM plays a key role by specifically supporting technology- and innovation-driven companies. The secret? Jansen: “Teams specialized in sectors such as energy, climate tech, life sciences and medtech, and key technologies such as deep tech and AI. We deliberately hire people with technical backgrounds to strengthen these teams. They combine technical expertise with experience in dealmaking and financing.”

A network of co-investors

Another essential ingredient is the co-investor network BOM has built up over the years. “Over the past decade, we have worked with more than 250 co-investors and made more than 60 investments, with 170 of them in 2024. That accounted for more than 400 million euros in 2024,” Jansen said. This network enables BOM to support entrepreneurs at every stage of their growth path, from seed funding to B and sometimes even C rounds. These long-term collaborations create trust and continuity, Jansen knows. “We know the co-investors and exactly what stage they are entering. This allows us to prepare entrepreneurs for what is needed to continue growing.”

Netherlands in top of EU markets for technology investment

European Innovation Council, Eurostars and BOM Brabant Ventures head the list of Dutch tech investors.

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Needless to say, not every investment goes according to plan. Jansen sees that sometimes it is necessary to make difficult decisions. “At a time when everything is scarce, from talent to resources, we have to be honest about which companies are developing well and which are not. Sometimes that means quitting a project to use resources more effectively elsewhere.”

The ability to learn from mistakes is a constant prerequisite, Jansen adds. “This is precisely why we ensure that other companies also benefit from it. It's all about staying sharp on markets and business models. If you are not clear about what your potential startup customers need later in the process and what they are willing to pay for it, you can run into big problems later on.”

Retaining talent

Another pillar of BOM's success is its ability to retain and develop talent within the organization. “Many of our employees have worked here for over a decade. That provides stability and continuity,” Jansen says. “We often train new colleagues ourselves. As a result, we keep building on a solid foundation.”

BOM's strong results do not go unnoticed. The recent news that the Netherlands is among the top European countries in tech investments, in which BOM plays a prominent role, confirms this. According to Jansen, it highlights their experience and expertise and attracts the attention of new entrepreneurs, universities, and corporate spin-offs. “We want to show them that we can help them grow faster, thanks to the experience we have accumulated in recent years. So my appeal would be: whatever stage of your development you are at, knock on our door, and together, we'll see what the possibilities are.”