Financing with venture capital
- KVK Editors
- The basis
- 12 November 2024
- Edited 21 October 2025
- 2 min
- Managing and growing
- Finance
As an entrepreneur you sometimes need extra money to grow your business, to innovate, or to expand internationally. Venture capital can be a way to finance this. This is money from investors in exchange for shares in your company. This can be risky for the financier which is why venture capital is also known as high-risk capital
What is venture capital?
Venture capital is money from investors who believe in your company’s future. It is not a loan that you must repay. You issue shares and with them transfer some ownership and control. Investors hope the value of their shares will increase. They also risk losing money. Another term for venture capital is private equity.
For whom is venture capital interesting?
Venture capital financing is interesting for businesses that want to grow quickly. For example, startups and scale-ups. And also for entrepreneurs who cannot easily get financing from, for example, a bank. Are you going to use venture capital? Then you must be willing to give up some of your own control to the investor.
Who offers venture capital?
There are different types of investors who provide venture capital:
1. Private equity firms
Private equity firms are businesses that invest money in other businesses. They buy part of your business through shares and hope that your business grows and becomes more valuable. After a few years, they sell their shares again, usually at a profit. Private equity firms invest in businesses that want to grow, innovate, or expand. And sometimes in businesses in a particular sector such as technology or healthcare. They usually invest from a minimum of €1 million.Â
A private equity firm offers more than just financing. The firm helps you and your company grow to the next stage with knowledge, experience, and a network. It makes an active contribution to your company.
Overview of private equity firms
On the website of the Dutch Private Equity & Venture Capital  (NVP) you will find an overview of private equity firms in the Netherlands.Â
2. Regional Development Agencies
Regional Development Agencies (ROMs) operate in every Dutch province. They are provincial private equity companies aimed at strengthening the regional and local economy. ROMs invest mainly in innovative and fast-growing, regional companies. They provide venture capital to entrepreneurs and a ROM can also become a shareholder in 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 invest from €250,000.
A ROM's budget varies by province. The eligibility conditions also differ per ROM. Check for the possibilities within your province and how to apply:
Overview ROMs
•   Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe: NOM Investment and Development Agency for the Northern
•   Gelderland and Overijssel: East Netherlands Development Agency (Oost Â
•   Brabant: Brabant Development Agency
•   Limburg:
•   Zuid Holland: Â
•   Flevoland: Horizon, Invest in
•   Noord-Holland: (in Dutch)
•   Utrecht: ROM Utrecht
•   Zeeland: Impuls
The Regional Development Agencies account for a total of around 50% of all venture capital investments in the Netherlands.
Business angels
Business angels or angel investors are private investors who invest their own money in businesses. This is also a form of venture capital. Read more about business angels as a form of financing.Â
Help with business financing
The Financing Guide will help you find your way around financing options. Do you still have questions? Call the helpline on 088 585 11 11 or ask an expert for advice.
More about financing
Go straight to:
