Netherlands' Invest‐NL and Invest International joining forces to establish the country's inaugural national promotional organization
The Dutch government has announced a significant merger between Invest-NL and Invest International, aiming to create the country's first national promotional institution (NPI). This move is expected to enhance access to funding for entrepreneurs, particularly those in high-risk, capital-intensive sectors.
The merger, scheduled to be completed in 2028, is subject to parliamentary approval and European regulations, with the process set to begin next year. Melanie Maas Geesteranus, CEO of Invest International, stated that the integration increases their impact and global relevance, giving entrepreneurs more room to grow.
The new NPI will have a state-backed guarantee, allowing it to raise funds independently on the capital market. This enhanced financial capability will provide more opportunities for entrepreneurs to access capital, a significant advantage for innovative companies that often struggle with insufficient access to risk-bearing funding.
The new entity will offer a broader range of financing options, including venture capital and long-term financing, supporting entrepreneurs throughout different stages of their businesses. The focus on energy transition and digitalisation will enable entrepreneurs working in these areas to access targeted funding and support, contributing to the Netherlands' efforts in these critical sectors.
The merger emphasizes the importance of accelerating the energy transition, supporting clean energy technologies and projects that contribute to a sustainable energy system. By focusing on digitalisation, the institution will help entrepreneurs leverage technology to innovate and grow, aligning with the broader goals of enhancing digital capabilities in the Netherlands.
The merged entity aims to boost innovation, strategic autonomy, and international impact. This will enable entrepreneurs to scale locally and expand globally, contributing to the Netherlands' strategic autonomy and global relevance. The Dutch cabinet has allocated €250m to Invest International from future Invest-NL budgets, with €150m allocated next year and €100m in 2027.
The new NPI will combine public capital, expertise, networks, and finances in areas where the market is still insufficiently involved. This integration is a response to the need for sufficient funding for these challenges, with innovative companies in capital-intensive sectors and scale-ups having insufficient access to risk-bearing funding.
Companies are moving abroad as a result of these funding challenges. The merger aims to help Dutch businesses scale internationally and contribute to sustainable global development. The new institution's ability to raise funds independently on the capital market thanks to a state-backed guarantee remains unchanged.
The merger of Invest-NL and Invest International will start next year and is expected to significantly enhance access to funding for entrepreneurs, providing a robust and integrated financing institution that supports key societal transitions and innovation.
- The new national promotional institution (NPI) resulting from the merger of Invest-NL and Invest International is anticipated to offer a broader range of financing options, including venture capital and long-term financing, to support entrepreneurs throughout various stages of their businesses.
- The focus on energy transition and digitalisation will enable entrepreneurs working in these areas to access targeted funding and support, aligning with the Netherlands' efforts to advance in these critical sectors.
- By leveraging blended finance, which combines public capital, expertise, networks, and finances to respond to the need for sufficient funding, the merged entity aims to provide more opportunities for entrepreneurs in capital-intensive sectors and scale-ups who often struggle with insufficient access to risk-bearing funding.
- The enhanced financial capability of the new NPI, granted by the ability to raise funds independently on the capital market, is expected to facilitate financial inclusion, enabling Dutch businesses to scale internationally and contribute to sustainable global development.
