FAQ

Ecosystem development focuses on strengthening the environment in which innovative companies operate, such as infrastructure, collaboration, policy, and access to financing. Ecosystem development is the main activity within the competence Development, one of BOM's three core competencies.

By enabling collaboration at scale and accelerating breakthroughs through shared ambitions and concrete actions.

BOM brings movement where things get stuck, connects parties with different interests, and organizes collaborations that lead to concrete results. 

BOM acts as a connector, accelerator, and catalyst for change within ecosystems. BOM strengthens ecosystems through programs and projects. For example, BOM is involved in various European subsidy projects. Through these projects, entrepreneurs can qualify for subsidies in collaboration with foreign partners, test locations, and networks. BOM also supports and guides entrepreneurs in finding and utilizing these subsidy opportunities.

BOM helps startups and scale-ups grow and innovate by creating the right preconditions — such as test facilities, network support, and joint positioning.

Entrepreneurs only truly grow when the system around them functions well. Ecosystem development creates an encouraging context in which innovation can thrive.

No, BOM is not a subsidy provider.

Our forms of financing consist of equity and subordinated loans. Start-up subsidies are, for example, provided by RVO.

BOM invests in scalable start-ups and scale-ups with growth potential and a strong link to Noord-Brabant. Furthermore, the social and economic impact is important. We focus on companies that are active in one of the following top sectors:

• High Tech Systems & Materials
• Software
• Agrofood and Biobased Economy
• Life Sciences & Medtech
• Maintenance
• Supply chain

A 100-page business plan is not an absolute must, unless you find it essential for a proper evaluation. Ask yourself the following questions when formulating the financing application:

• What problem do I have a solution for?
• Who are my (future) customers, and are they willing to pay for my solution?
• Who are my competitors, and what do they have to offer?
• What makes my proposition interesting to investors? 
• What have I achieved so far?
• What else do I need to become successful?

The specific conditions vary from case to case. There are also criteria that apply to all our investments:

• The invested amount ranges between 150,000 and 5,000,000 euros.
• Our stake is never greater than 49 percent (we are a minority shareholder).
• We operate with an investment horizon of 3 to 7 years.
• We aim for a market-rate return.

Each year we receive about 600-700 financing applications. The vast majority of these are not approved. Usually because certain parts of the business case are not in order.

If your business case is not yet in order, you can often further develop the plan together with one of our Business Developers. You can also participate in our VC Readiness Program. This prepares you in ten weeks for a promising financing application at BOM Brabant Ventures, or other relevant financiers.

Moreover, BOM has a large network of financiers with their own specializations and diverse conditions. A rejection therefore never means that we cannot help you further.

We collaborate with municipalities, entrepreneurs, property owners, project developers, and citizen initiatives on sustainable energy projects and energy saving.

Energy saving always pays off. In most cases, you actually save money, and in all cases, the environment benefits.

Additionally, the Energy Agreement stipulates that by 2050, greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced by 80 percent. We are all responsible for achieving this. As an entrepreneur, you are even obliged to take measures that you can recoup within five years.

We invest, provide advice on the organization and structuring of the project, ensure support, and utilize our network to get projects off the ground. Through our network, we arrange the necessary bank financing and fill in any missing expertise.

We focus primarily on large projects and the bundling of projects, with a (combined) scale of at least 4 million euros, that utilize proven technology. When thinking of large projects, consider wind and solar farms, geothermal and biomass plants.

In small projects, you might think of the bundling of lease contracts for LED lighting and solar panels, bundling of energy performance contracts, or bundling of heat-cold storage installations.

For smaller standalone projects related to energy savings, heat-cold storage, or solar panels on commercial and social buildings, you can contact one of our ESCo partners.

That depends on the probability of realization and the impact of the project. Our advice is free, but not without obligation. We discuss in advance under what conditions we assist with the realization of solar or wind projects and large-scale energy savings.

If we proceed together, we also assume that profitable energy savings will indeed be achieved. In almost all cases, BOM Renewable Energy can also provide (a part of) the financing.

For solar fields and wind farms, we provide risk-bearing capital. Therefore, we become a shareholder of the solar or wind project, not of the company that develops or realizes a solar or wind project.

When it comes to energy conservation or smaller projects, we act as a co-financer of the ESCo's (Energy Service Companies) involved in the project. Our ESCo partner takes care of the investment. This investment is repaid from the proceeds of the monthly savings. Hence, it is not necessary for end-users to invest in energy conservation. We do that, together with our ESCo partners.

No, that is the role of banks. Bank financing is indeed very feasible, provided the project is sufficiently large and there is enough risk-bearing capital. We assist with that.

BOM does offer subordinated loans to facilitate additional bank financing. In some cases, we provide bridge financing, as a supplement to risk-bearing capital and in preparation for financing by a bank.

We do not charge interest, but as a shareholder, we accept a portion of the profit or loss balance of a project, based on a prior business case that shows a market-conforming return.

BOM manages the Brabant Energy Fund, a fund worth 60 million euros, provided by the province to make Brabant more sustainable.

We are happy to engage in discussions with companies that offer solutions for energy savings or generating sustainable energy. If the company meets certain conditions, we will explore the possibility of establishing an Energy Service Company (ESCo) together to further expand the services with a financing solution. Please contact one of our Investment Managers for this.

We focus on the top sectors in Brabant: High Tech Systems & Materials, Life Sciences & Health, and Agrofood.

With these top sectors, we focus on the following regions where the most opportunities lie: China (Jiangsu region), Southern Germany (regions Baden Württemberg and Bavaria), and the United States (Midwest & Texas).

In these regions, we have a well-developed network and our own representation.

We focus on several countries where we have a strong presence and on the top sectors of Brabant.

We are committed to Brabant companies that are seeking new markets or partnerships abroad.

• We provide contacts with interesting business partners, knowledge institutions, and local governments.
• We provide information on markets, financing instruments for international business, and events both domestically and abroad.
• We ensure that you have access to relevant sector information and specific company information.
• We organize business trips, participation in seminars, and company visits with a focus on matchmaking.
• We receive foreign business delegations, allowing you to participate in the program.

The Project Managers at BOM International Trade can tell you everything about the different options for financial support. They can also send you a handy overview.

We bring the opportunities that Brabant offers to the attention of foreign companies looking for new possibilities. We provide information about the business climate, assist in finding the right location, and introduce companies to our network of business contacts and governments.

As good hosts, we maintain contact after companies have established themselves in Brabant. This way, we ensure they fully benefit from the strength of Brabant.

Any foreign company that wants to establish itself in Brabant, or is already established in Brabant. We are happy to work for and with companies that contribute to a healthy economy and sustainable employment.

Our goal is to stimulate economic growth and investments in the region, and to create more employment opportunities. International business plays an important role in this. Due to its central location, excellent supply industry, and abundance of knowledge, Brabant is an attractive location for foreign companies.

We work on behalf of the province of North Brabant. Our goal is to stimulate the Brabant economy. There are no costs associated with our services for our clients.