Finding funding to grow your business
- KVK Editors
- Background
- 11 November 2024
- Edited 25 November 2025
- 4 min
- Managing and growing
- Finance
Your product or service is catching on and your business is doing well. You want to grow your business. For the growth phase, you often need extra money. For example, for more stock, new employees, or to renovate your business premises. Perhaps new equipment or machines will allow you to work more efficiently and sustainably. Or you might want to start in the international market. Read where to go for financing your growth and what to look out for.
1. Work out your plans
Chances are you made a business plan when you started your business. Update it now to match the growth phase of your business. This way, your business plan becomes a “growth plan”. Explain what you want to achieve and how you intend to do so. For example, purchasing new machinery that will enable you to produce faster, expanding your premises or hiring more staff.
2. Calculate the financial implications of your growth plan
Work out your growth plan in a financial plan. This will give you an idea of the amount you need for growth, what you will use the money for, and how much you can contribute financially yourself. Answer the following questions:
- How financially healthy is your business?
- How will growth affect the finances of your business?
- How much money is available from your business or equity for the investments you want to make?
- What is the smartest and cheapest way to pay for these investments?
- Can you pay with your own capital (equity) or with financing?
Tip: Discuss these questions with your advisor. For example, your bookkeeper, an accountant, or a Certified SME Financing Advisor. And work out the financial side of your growth plan together.
Make a forecast
Sometimes it can be wise to invest with a loan, external financing. This allows you to keep enough money in your business's bank account so that regular business operations are disrupted as little as possible.
Make a forecast that includes the investment and the financial effects you expect. A financier can then assess the effect of the financing. The forecast also shows the development of your cash flow. For example, whether you will be able to repay the financing. With the detailed plans, a financier can assess the growth of your business using hard figures. The financier will also see your mission and motivation as an entrepreneur.
3. Choose the right type of financing
There are various ways to finance the growth of your business. You can invest your own money, obtain financing from banks or other financiers, or use subsidies.
Financing your growth
The types of financing often used to invest in growth are:
Read the Financing Guide to find out about the characteristics of the various types of financing.
Financing mix
Increasingly, you need different forms of financing alongside each other. For example, you supplement your own money with a loan from the bank and leasing for your business assets. Combining financing is called stacked financing.
4. Applying for financing
Each financier has their own requirements. Check these in advance and then submit your financing application. You can often submit your application online. Make sure you have a clear story that you can also tell in a short if the financier invites you for an interview.
Elements of your financing application
With your funding application, you want to convince the financier. Clearly state what you need the funding for. And what that extra money means for the development of your business. Make it clear that you have thought about the repayment of the loan. To do this, make a repayment plan. How and when will you repay the loan? What happens to the business if you are unavailable to work for a while? And have you considered the payment of your own salary? After all, you also need to be able to make a living from your business yourself before you can repay the financing.
Read more about preparing a funding application.
Are you not sure how to do it yourself and want to get help right away? See who can help you with your funding application.
What do financiers look for?
Financiers assess your application. They will pay attention to the results of your business. Do you have enough cash flow so that you can repay the loan? If your business has been around for a while, your financial statements can give a picture of your financial position. With growth, the lender also pays attention to your forecasts. What are the expectations for the coming years? And will the investment contribute to the growth of your business? Make these clear in your business plan. In addition, the financier is interested in you as an entrepreneur and in your team. Are you capable of growing the business? And do you have the right knowledge in-house? Read more about what financiers look for when assessing your plan.
5. Subsidies and schemes
Apart from external funding and your own equity, you can also investigate using a subsidy or tax scheme. A tax scheme will not give you funds for your investment, but you pay less tax. Subsidy schemes usually do pay out money.
Subsidies
Use the RVO’s Subsidy and Funding to check which schemes suit your plans. Study the conditions and plan enough time to prepare the application. You can also consult an advisor.
Schemes
Well-known schemes you can use for growth are:
- Proof-of-concept Funding (VVF)
Are you starting with a new product or service? A feasibility study will help determine whether your ideas are promising. As an SME or innovative starter, you can apply for Proof-of-concept (VFF) for such a study. Read the conditions carefully before applying - Innovation
Are you working on the technological development of a new product, process, or service? If so, you may be able to use the Innovation Credit. You get a loan for part of the development costs. -
The Research and Development Promotion Act (WBSO) reimburses part of the (wage) costs and expenses you incur for research and development work. You will receive a WBSO decision for this.
SME Credit Guarantee Scheme (BMKB)
Does your business not have sufficient collateral to obtain a loan? The BMKB is a scheme set up by the Dutch government to help entrepreneurs obtain financing. Under this scheme, the government guarantees part of the loan. This allows you to borrow more than you would be able to based on your collateral. Your financier applies for the BMKB.
Help with business financing
You do not have to arrange financing for the growth of your business on your own. You can turn to various organisations for help. Ask your questions to the advisors of the KVK Advice Team. Call 088 585 11 11. They will think along with you and put you in touch with parties from the KVK network. For example, with Accredited SME Financing Advisors. You can also ask your own bookkeeper or accountant for help.
