ROM Utrecht Region
ROM Utrecht Region is a Dutch regional development company (founded 2020) that invests in and supports startups and scale-ups in the Utrecht region across three ecosystems: Life Sciences & Health, sustainability (Earth Valley), and digitalization (New Digital Society), deploying risk capital through multiple fund vehicles and ecosystem programs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersUtrecht, Netherlands
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What ROM Utrecht Region does
ROM Utrecht Region B.V. is a private regional development company (ROM) headquartered in Utrecht, Netherlands, established in 2020 with the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and regional governments as public shareholders. It invests risk capital and provides innovation and internationalization services to startups and scale-ups across three thematic ecosystems: Life Sciences & Health, Earth Valley (sustainability), and New Digital Society (digital). Its product suite spans early-phase loans (Vroege Fase Financiering, €50K-€350K at 5% + reference rate, 8-year term, 25% conversion discount), validation funding (Startup Innovatie Fonds), scale-up capital (Participatiefonds), three sector venture funds (Future Health Ventures, Earth Ventures, Digital Ventures), and fund-of-funds vehicles (SHIFT Invest IV, European Cyber Tech Fund V, Healthtech Fund II). The company has 51-100 employees, has executed over 100 investments in five years, deployed €88M in 2024, and engages 1,500+ entrepreneurs through recurring community events and partnerships with UtrechtInc, Dotslash, UMC Utrecht, and Utrecht University. Revenue is generated primarily through investment returns (equity and loan participations), supplemented by public-sector funding; specific revenue figures are not publicly disclosed. The organization also operates internationalization channels via the Enterprise Europe Network consortium, export accelerator programs, FDI attraction, and trade missions.
ROM Utrecht Region firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ROM Utrecht Region
- Legal name
- ROM Utrecht Region B.V.
- Website
- https://romutrechtregion.nl
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- ROM Utrecht Region is a Dutch regional development company (founded 2020) that invests in and supports startups and scale-ups in the Utrecht region across three ecosystems: Life Sciences & Health, sustainability (Earth Valley), and digitalization (New Digital Society), deploying risk capital through multiple fund vehicles and ecosystem programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ROM Utrecht Region industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Regional Development & Venture Capital Services
- NAICS
- Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities (523)
- SIC
- Security Brokers, Dealers & Flotation Companies (6211)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Geography-Focused Venture Capital (Regional/Emerging Markets) (FSANAAAE)
Keywords
Where ROM Utrecht Region is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Utrecht
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
ROM Utrecht Region business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Investment Returns: ROM generates returns through equity investments and loan participations in innovative startups and scale-ups in the Utrecht region. They invest risk capital in companies developing solutions in Life Sciences & Health, Earth Valley (sustainability), and New Digital Society (digital) ecosystems.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Vroege Fase Financiering (Early Phase Financing) |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels10 records
ROM Utrecht Region product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ROM Utrecht Region is a regional development company (ROM) that invests risk capital in, and provides innovation and internationalization support to, startups and scale-ups in the Utrecht region across three thematic ecosystems: Life Sciences & Health, Earth Valley (sustainability), and New Digital Society (digitalization). It deploys capital through multiple fund vehicles including venture funds (Future Health Ventures, Earth Ventures, Digital Ventures) and loan/participation instruments (Vroege Fase Financiering, Startup Innovatie Fonds, Participatiefonds, Proof of Concept-fonds), complemented by innovation acceleration platforms and internationalization services via Enterprise Europe Network.
Product overview
ROM Utrecht Region operates as a regional development company (ROM) offering a comprehensive ecosystem of investment funds and innovation support services. The organization provides venture capital through three thematic funds: Future Health Ventures (healthcare/life sciences), Earth Ventures (sustainability), and Digital Ventures (digital technology). Complementing direct investment funds are financing instruments including Vroege Fase Financiering (early-phase loans €50K-€350K), Startup Innovatie Fonds, Participatiefonds, and Proof of Concept funding. Innovation acceleration services include EDIH Digital Hub Noordwest (AI, data, robotics support), AI Utrecht Region (AI ecosystem platform with 15+ labs), U-Forward (open innovation challenge platform), DigiC (circular construction digitalization), and Startup Utrecht Region. Internationalization support encompasses Enterprise Europe Network, Export Accelerator Programs, and FDI attraction services. The organization serves innovative companies across three ecosystems: Life Sciences & Health, Earth Valley (sustainability), and New Digital Society.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- U-Forward: Open innovation platform that allows entrepreneurs and initiators from across the Netherlands to pitch their innovative solutions for challenges from Utrecht governments, organizations, and corporates.
- DigiC
- EDIH Digital Hub Noordwest
- AI Utrecht Region
- Startup Utrecht Region
Products and services
- Future Health Ventures Thematic venture fund focused on Life Sciences & Health companies in the Utrecht region, providing equity investment and innovation support for healthcare innovation across medical technology, biotechnology, and digital health.
- Earth Ventures Thematic venture fund supporting startups and scale-ups working on sustainable solutions for climate, energy, and living quality, covering circular economy, bio-LNG, plant-based food, and clean technology.
- Digital Ventures Thematic venture fund for digital technology companies including EdTech, Immersive Technology, Media, and Games, supporting the New Digital Society ecosystem.
- Vroege Fase Financiering (VFF) Early-phase financing fund providing risk capital loans between €50,000 and €350,000 for Proof-of-Concept stage innovative starters at TRL phase 3-5. Terms: 5% interest plus reference rate, 8-year term with 2-year grace period, conversion option with 25% discount at follow-on investment.
- Startup Innovatie Fonds Fund for validating and further developing products, requiring minimum 25% external private co-financing, supporting startups in the growth phase.
- Participatiefonds Participation fund for further development and international expansion, requiring minimum 65% external private co-financing, targeting scale-ups ready for market expansion.
- Proof of Concept-fonds Fund supporting proof of concept development for innovative companies, providing capital to validate technology and product ideas before market entry.
- Fondsinvesteringen (Fund-of-Funds) Fund-of-funds investments that invest in other venture funds, bringing additional smart capital to the Utrecht region.
- EDIH Digital Hub Noordwest European Digital Innovation Hub providing advice, training, workshops, test facilities, and access to financing for SMEs in AI, data, Tiny Machine Learning, and robotics, as part of a 15+ partner consortium.
- AI Utrecht Region AI ecosystem platform bringing together companies, knowledge institutions, governments, and talent to accelerate AI development and application in the Utrecht region, featuring 15+ AI Labs and an active community.
- U-Forward Open innovation platform enabling entrepreneurs across the Netherlands to pitch innovative solutions to challenges from Utrecht governments, organizations, and corporates.
- DigiC Accelerator program for digitalization within circular construction, focusing on industrialized building, material digitization, and smart construction logistics.
- Startup Utrecht Region Platform where private and public parties collaborate to strengthen the ecosystem for startups and scale-ups, focusing on access to capital, first customers, talent, and internationalization.
- Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) Internationalization service providing Europe's largest support network for organizations with international ambitions, including matchmaking, company missions, and partner profiles across 50+ countries.
- Export Accelerator Programs Programs helping mid-sized and small enterprises transform national success into international revenue through structured export training.
- Buitenlandse Directe Investeringen (FDI) Investment attraction service promoting the Utrecht Region as an attractive location for foreign companies, providing guidance, advice, and networking to international investors.
Quantifiable outcome
- NPS score of 79 from regional entrepreneurs
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use ROM Utrecht Region
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
ROM Utrecht Region technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
ROM Utrecht Region partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Universiteit Utrecht (Utrecht University)coreMajor knowledge institution partner in Life Sciences & Health ecosystem, contributing research capabilities and spin-off companies like Cordys Analytics.
- UMC Utrecht (University Medical Center Utrecht)coreAcademic hospital partner providing clinical research infrastructure and spawning healthcare innovations including Cordys Analytics spin-off.
- Hogeschool Utrecht (Utrecht University of Applied Sciences)corePartner in EDIH Digital Hub Noordwest consortium, providing AI learning communities and practical research for regional SMEs.
- EDIH Digital Hub Noordwest ConsortiumcoreEuropean Digital Innovation Hub consortium led by ROM Utrecht with 15+ partners including Hogeschool Utrecht, VU Amsterdam, SURF, FME, EIT Health, and other regional development companies providing digital transformation support to SMEs.
- Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) Netherlands ConsortiumcoreROM is part of Dutch EEN consortium with RVO, Hanzehogeschool, Business Development Friesland, New Energy Coalition, Water Alliance, and 6 other ROMs. Provides international matchmaking, trade missions, and partnership database access to 450+ organizations in 50+ countries.
- UtrechtInccoreStartup incubator at Utrecht Science Park offering Ready to Start program, validation phase support, and foundership program for early-stage entrepreneurs.
- Dotslash UtrechtcoreInnovation hub at Europalaan providing flexible workspace, community events, and collaboration with Hogeschool Utrecht for startups and scale-ups.
- Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland (RVO)coreDutch government agency for entrepreneurship providing support through Enterprise Europe Network consortium.
- EIT Health Nederland-BelgiëminorEuropean Institute of Innovation and Technology health network providing expertise for digital health innovation in the region.
- AI Utrecht RegioncoreRegional AI hub platform connecting companies, knowledge institutions, governments, and talent with 15+ AI Labs. Affiliated with AIC4NL national AI program.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
ROM Utrecht Region competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Invest-NL: Dutch national development bank and co-investor in ROM Utrecht Region's portfolio companies, providing larger ticket growth capital for Dutch scale-ups. Directly comparable as a state-backed investment institution targeting Dutch innovation.
- BOM (Brabant Development Agency): Regional development agency for North Brabant offering venture capital, loans, and innovation support — same ROM model operating in a different Dutch province, with comparable fund structure and public-shareholder governance.
- Oost NL: Regional development agency for the East Netherlands, providing risk capital, business development, and internationalization to regional startups and scale-ups. A directly comparable ROM peer serving a different Dutch region.
- InnovationQuarter: Regional development agency for South Holland (The Hague, Leiden, Rotterdam) investing in cleantech, medtech, and digital ventures. Same public-mandate, multi-fund, ecosystem-building model as ROM Utrecht Region.
- LIOF: Limburg Development Agency (LIOF) invests in and supports innovative SMEs and scale-ups in the Limburg province, applying a comparable regional development mandate and fund-of-funds approach to ROM Utrecht.
- NOM (Investerings- en Ontwikkelingsmaatschappij voor Noord-Nederland): Investment and development company for the Northern Netherlands, financing innovative businesses through venture capital, fund-of-funds, and innovation support — a near-clone of the ROM Utrecht Region model in a different Dutch region.
- ROM InWest: Regional development agency for the North-Holland region (including Amsterdam), investing in sustainable and digital transitions. Direct peer to ROM Utrecht Region, though operating in a larger and better-capitalized region.
Broad incumbents
- European Investment Fund (EIF): Pan-European fund-of-funds investor and risk-bearing partner of many Dutch regional funds. EIF provides the EU layer above ROMs and is a relevant strategic peer for cross-border capital sourcing and mandate design.
- EIC Fund (European Innovation Council Fund): EU-level deep-tech investor already co-investing in ROM portfolio companies (e.g., Laigo Bio). A broader incumbent that complements rather than competes with regional ROMs in the European innovation stack.
Others
- Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland (RVO): Dutch government agency for entrepreneurship that channels EU/EEN programs and partners with ROMs. Not a direct investor peer but a key ecosystem participant and policy counterpart for ROM Utrecht Region's internationalization work.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ROM Utrecht Region social profiles
Digital presenceROM Utrecht Region financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ROM Utrecht Region leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
ROM Utrecht Region funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ROM Utrecht Region M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments26 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ROM Utrecht Region
What does ROM Utrecht Region do?
ROM Utrecht Region is a regional development company (ROM) that invests risk capital in, and provides innovation and internationalization support to, startups and scale-ups in the Utrecht region across three thematic ecosystems: Life Sciences & Health, Earth Valley (sustainability), and New Digital Society (digitalization). It deploys capital through multiple fund vehicles including venture funds (Future Health Ventures, Earth Ventures, Digital Ventures) and loan/participation instruments (Vroege Fase Financiering, Startup Innovatie Fonds, Participatiefonds, Proof of Concept-fonds), complemented by innovation acceleration platforms and internationalization services via Enterprise Europe Network.
Is ROM Utrecht Region a public or private company?
ROM Utrecht Region is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was ROM Utrecht Region founded?
ROM Utrecht Region was founded in 2020. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is ROM Utrecht Region based?
ROM Utrecht Region is headquartered in Utrecht, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does ROM Utrecht Region make money?
One revenue line is on record: investment Returns.
Who are ROM Utrecht Region's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Invest-NL, BOM (Brabant Development Agency), Oost NL, InnovationQuarter, LIOF, NOM (Investerings- en Ontwikkelingsmaatschappij voor Noord-Nederland) and ROM InWest. Broad incumbents are European Investment Fund (EIF) and EIC Fund (European Innovation Council Fund). Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland (RVO) is listed as an others.
Does ROM Utrecht Region have an API?
No public API is recorded for ROM Utrecht Region.
What industry is ROM Utrecht Region in?
ROM Utrecht Region's product category is Regional Development & Venture Capital Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSANAAAE, Geography-Focused Venture Capital (Regional/Emerging Markets). Its NAICS code is 523 and its SIC code is 6211.