Investments Invest-NL increases financing opportunities for innovative Dutch SMEs

Invest-NL funds most in transition to a circular economy in 2021

The annual report published today shows that Invest-NL also significantly increased its supply of risk capital for innovative Dutch SME companies in 2021. The impact investor has now committed over half a billion euros. A multiple of this has been made available through European partners such as the European Investment Fund and private (national and international) investment funds.

The committed investment volume of Invest-NL amounted to a total of €216 million in 2021. Of this, €115 million was committed to a total of 5 fund investments. The remaining €101 million was committed to 18 direct investments in companies. The total number of 23 committed investments means a doubling compared to the first year (2020).

Invest-NL not only funds enterprises and projects. To make the Netherlands more sustainable and innovative, Invest-NL also provides advice or commissions research into making innovative business cases financeable. In 2021, this led to 3 newly developed products, 7 completed proposition support activities, and 12 market researches conducted.

As an impact investor, Invest-NL contributes to five Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 13, 12, 3, 8, and 9) through its impact objectives. Its impact reporting makes clear that in 2021 (via its portfolio companies), the following social impacts can be attributed to Invest-NL activities: €21 million R&D expenditure, 275 FTE jobs created, and 6,400 tonnes of CO₂ avoided.

Jan Pieter Postma (interim CEO Invest-NL): “In 2021, the crucial importance of the transition to a carbon-neutral and circular economy has become even clearer and more urgent. We are proud of the financings and development projects we have been able to carry out during the reporting year, and at the same time, we realize that we are only at the beginning of our mission.”

In 2021, most of Invest-NL's activities (investments, advice, and research) focused on the transition to a carbon-neutral and/or circular economy. Notable financings included the investment in the new factory of Avantium (€30 million) and in the further scaling-up of SCW Systems (€15 million). Additionally, in 2021, Invest-NL invested alongside Dutch and foreign venture investors in innovative Deep Tech scale-ups such as Nearfield Instruments (€10.5 million) and LeydenJar Technologies (€5 million).

Together with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy and the European Investment Fund, Invest-NL launched the Dutch Alternative Credit Instrument in mid-2021. This instrument can initially provide €200 million to non-bank financiers, who can, in turn, serve Dutch SMEs.

Invest-NL concluded the 2021 financial year with a positive financial result of €1 million. For 2022, Invest-NL will continue on its current path, both in terms of financings and the (commissioned) execution of advice and research. Later this year, a new CEO is expected to be introduced to succeed former CEO Wouter Bos.