Background stories

Entrepreneurs are at the heart of BOM. On this page, we share their stories: about growth, challenges, innovation, and impact. Discover how Brabant-based companies are building a sustainable future.

Photoshop MT Daan

Brabant opens doors worldwide, now it’s up to The Hague

Impact story
Uncertainty around grid congestion, nitrogen regulations and the expat tax scheme is holding back investment. Managing Director International Business Daan de Cloe sees ample opportunities for a new cabinet to significantly improve the Netherlands’ investment climate. He calls for stability, clarity and a long-term approach.
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Photoshop Martijn

The engine room of BOM: why well-organised data matters

Impact story
For the past six months, Martijn Wagemakers has been part of BOM’s management team. During this period, he has become acutely aware of the significant impact of work that usually takes place behind the scenes. His domain is responsible for, among other things, financial management, IT, administrative processes and a rapidly growing flow of data. “We don’t want AI for the sake of AI,” he says. “But we do want to work smarter.”
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How Thaumatec uses trade missions to accelerate international growth: ‘You can’t do this work from your office alone’

Entrepreneurial story
From Los Angeles to Minnesota: trade missions help Thaumatec better understand and enter the U.S. healthcare market. Thanks to programs organized by the Brabant Development Agency (BOM) and its partners, doors are opened that would otherwise remain closed. Founder Barend Smet explains what these trips deliver in practice for entrepreneurs.
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What investment readiness requires: entrepreneurs share their stories

Impact story
Hard work, building business plans, giving each other critical feedback and, above all, growing as a team. Last week, eight companies completed BOM’s intensive VC Readiness Programme and looked back on their experience. “Had I followed a program like this at the start, we would have had a more defined path and sharper targets.”
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Defence innovation accelerates as entrepreneurs and government join forces

Background article
Peace and security can no longer be taken for granted. The war in Ukraine makes it clear that we must become more resilient. It forces Europe to bring innovation into Defence more rapidly. In this acceleration, BOM plays a key role. During three defence events in November, it became evident how entrepreneurs, government and industry are increasingly finding their way to one another.
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AI Super Computing initiative Brabant

Initiative
The global AI race is accelerating, with the US and China leading in supercomputing investments. Europe is responding with initiatives like AI Factories and Gigafactories to boost strategic autonomy. Brabant aims to become a European hotspot for impactful, responsible AI by lowering barriers to supercomputing access.
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