Regional Development Agencies (ROMs)
If you are an entrepreneur looking for credit for growth or innovation, Regional Development Agencies or Regionale Ontwikkelingsmaatschappijen (ROMs) may offer opportunities. There are 9 ROMs in the Netherlands. Find out how a ROM works and how to get in touch within your province to apply.
Regional focus
Every province has a Regional Development Agency. These ROMs aim to strengthen the regional and local economies.
Economic development with a regional perspective
Regional Development Agencies were once set up to solve a region's economic disadvantages. Today, they are committed to strengthening the regional economy in general. ROMs help businesses, whether they are local or international, find funding and employees, and build up a business network, etc. The ROMs allow entrepreneurs to innovate, invest and internationalise so that they can grow faster. This ensures the sustainable growth of the regional economy and employment.
How ROMs work
ROMs invest mainly in innovative and fast-growing, regional companies and they restructure business parks. They provide venture capital to entrepreneurs and may even become shareholders in these companies. They also guide entrepreneurs in their business operations and encourage entrepreneurs to establish themselves in the region. ROMs also attract foreign companies to their region and help regional companies if they want to enter the foreign market.
ROMs per province
Horizon is the ROM for the province of Flevoland. They aim is to create an environment that leads to long-term and sustainable international economic growth for Flevoland.
OOST NL (or the East Netherlands Development Agency) offers several programmes for innovative businesses in the provinces of Overijssel and Gelderland per sector: Agro-Food, creative industry, Cleantech and Energy, High Tech, Life Sciences, Logistics and Manufacturing. The services on offer include access to networks, growth advice, internationalisation help, and access to laboratories.
NOM, the Investment and Development Agency for the Northern Netherlands, is the Regional Development Agency for the 3 northern provinces: Groningen, Friesland, and Drenthe. NOM’s objective is to stimulate the economy and employment in the Northern Netherlands.
LIOF is the Regional Development Agency for the province of Limburg. LIOF helps small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) with innovative ideas, business plans, and financing requests. Their purpose is to develop the province’s economy and its business climate.
BOM builds bridges between entrepreneurs, knowledge institutes, and the authorities. BOM helps innovative businesses accelerate their growth, and helps startups apply for funding.
ROM InWest (in Dutch) stimulates an innovative and strong entrepreneurial climate in the province of Noord-Holland. Together with its partners, ROM InWest supports innovative businesses and promotes the acceleration of the energy transition and the transition towards a circular economy.
ROM Utrecht Region is the ROM for the province of Utrecht. They assist international companies to set up and grow in this globally competitive destination for business in the heart of the Netherlands.
Impuls Zeeland is the ROM for the province of Zeeland. They offer quick access to everything so you can excel as an entrepreneur in Zeeland, such as market information, business support, and the right contacts.
InnovationQuarter is the ROM for the province of Zuid-Holland. Their mission is to strengthen the regional economic structure by stimulating the innovation potential of this unique delta region.
More success with your financing application
When you go looking for finance, make sure to look closely at the required criteria. Use the financing flowchart to select an alternative form of financing that fits your situation.
Help with financing
Getting help increases your chances of financing. With the right adviser and a good financial basis, a 'yes' to your financing application is within easy reach. These advisers will help you on your way.
Questions relating to this article?
Please contact the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce, KVK