Ministry of Economic Affairs (Innovation Credit)
The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), operating under the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, administers national and EU subsidies, tax credits, credit guarantees, and financing programs—including Innovation Credit and WBSO—for more than 200,000 startups, established companies, NGOs, and knowledge institutes annually across the Netherlands and abroad.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersHaag, Netherlands
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Ministry of Economic Affairs (Innovation Credit) does
The Ministry of Economic Affairs (Innovation Credit) refers to the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland, or RVO), a government agency operating under the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in The Hague, RVO administers a broad portfolio of subsidies, tax credits, credit guarantees, and financing programs on behalf of the Dutch government and the European Union. Core offerings include Innovation Credit (credit financing for promising innovations, open for applications 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026), WBSO (R&D tax credit), BMKB (SME credit guarantee), EIA and MIA/Vamil (environmental tax schemes), Horizon Europe administration, Proof-of-concept Funding, Seed Capital, and Eurostars. Beyond financial instruments, RVO provides patent assistance, residence permits for foreign startups, trade missions, innovation missions, and responsible business conduct guidance.
The agency serves a diversified customer base of over 200,000 entrepreneurs annually, including startups, established companies (large and small), scale-ups, NGOs, knowledge institutes, and policymakers. It employs over 6,000 staff across five domestic offices (The Hague, Assen, Roermond, Utrecht, Zwolle) and operates internationally via embassy networks, facilitating Dutch participation in events such as CES Las Vegas, Web Summit Lisbon, and innovation missions to India and the United States. RVO is also the statutory administrator of major national infrastructure tenders, notably awarding permits for the IJmuiden Ver offshore wind farm sites Alpha and Beta (combined 4 GW capacity) in June 2024 and continuing to expand offshore wind subsidies through 2026.
RVO's business model is non-commercial—it does not generate revenue in the traditional sense but functions as the operational arm of Dutch government industrial and innovation policy. Distribution is hybrid: digital self-service via the mijn.rvo.nl portal (requiring eHerkenning authentication) and english.rvo.nl, complemented by five physical offices and a global facilitator network. Partnerships span multiple ministries (Foreign Affairs, Climate Policy and Green Growth, Infrastructure and Water Management, Economic Affairs and Climate Policy), industry associations, embassies, and international consortia, embedding RVO at the centre of the Dutch entrepreneurship support ecosystem.
Ministry of Economic Affairs (Innovation Credit) firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ministry of Economic Affairs (Innovation Credit)
- Legal name
- Netherlands Enterprise Agency
- Website
- https://english.rvo.nl
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), operating under the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, administers national and EU subsidies, tax credits, credit guarantees, and financing programs—including Innovation Credit and WBSO—for more than 200,000 startups, established companies, NGOs, and knowledge institutes annually across the Netherlands and abroad.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ministry of Economic Affairs (Innovation Credit) industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Government Innovation Financing
- NAICS
- Administration of General Economic Programs (92611), Sales Financing (52222)
- SIC
- Miscellaneous Business Credit Institution (6159), Short-Term Business Credit Institutions (6153)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Trade, Industry & Economic Development Administration (BPAIAAAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Circular Economy & Resource Efficiency (BPADALAM), Sustainable & Responsible Supply Chain (ESG, Scope 3) (BPAHAHAM)
Keywords
Where Ministry of Economic Affairs (Innovation Credit) is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Haag
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices5 records
Markets served
Ministry of Economic Affairs (Innovation Credit) business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Innovation Credit: Credit to develop promising and challenging innovations with an excellent market perspective. Both startups and established companies (large or small) can apply for Innovation Credit. The application period is from 1 January 2026 until 31 December 2026.
- Subsidy Administration Services: RVO administers various subsidy and financing programs including WBSO, Horizon Europe, EIA, BMKB, and many others on behalf of Dutch government ministries and the EU.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Innovation Credit for Promising Innovations |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Ministry of Economic Affairs (Innovation Credit) product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), operating under the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, administers the Innovation Credit program — a credit facility that funds the development of promising and challenging innovations with excellent market perspective. Both startups and established companies (large or small) can apply, with the application window open from 1 January 2026 until 31 December 2026. Beyond Innovation Credit, RVO administers a broader portfolio of Dutch and EU subsidy, financing, tax credit, and credit guarantee programs on behalf of government ministries.
Product overview
The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) operates as a comprehensive government platform offering multiple subsidy, funding, and business support services rather than a single unified product. The portfolio centers on Innovation Credit (credit for promising innovations) and WBSO (tax credits for R&D), supplemented by programs including Proof-of-concept Funding, Horizon Europe, Eurostars, Seed Capital, credit guarantees (BMKB, GO), energy incentives (EIA, MIA/Vamil), and services for patents and residence permits for startups. These offerings are accessed primarily through the Mijn RVO web portal and are designed to support entrepreneurs throughout the innovation and business development lifecycle.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Innovation Credit Credit facility for the development of promising and challenging innovations with an excellent market perspective, available to both startups and established companies (large or small). The program application period runs from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026.
- WBSO (Tax Credit for Research and Development)
Quantifiable outcome
- Assists over 200,000 entrepreneurs each year
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Ministry of Economic Affairs (Innovation Credit)
Customer profileSegments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Ministry of Economic Affairs (Innovation Credit) technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Ministry of Economic Affairs (Innovation Credit) partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Consulate General of the Netherlands in San FranciscocoreCo-organiser of the trade mission to CES Las Vegas 2027, providing support for Dutch startups seeking to enter the US market and connecting with investors and partners.
- PSPS (Trade Mission Logistics Partner)minorLogistics partner responsible for practical organisation of the CES 2027 trade mission, including booth construction and support during the preparation programme.
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the NetherlandscoreCo-organiser of the Dutch delegation to Web Summit 2026 in Lisbon, providing diplomatic network support and export opportunities for Dutch technology companies.
- Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in LisboncoreLocal embassy support for the Dutch delegation at Web Summit 2026, providing connections within the Portuguese technology sector and facilitating networking events.
- Netherlands Innovation Network in IndiacoreCollaboration partner for the Innovation Mission to India on Circular Plastics and Biobased Chemicals & Materials, supporting Dutch organisations active in sustainable materials and green chemistry to explore developments and establish contacts in India.
- ChemistryNLcoreIndustry association partner for the Innovation Mission to India, supporting the circular plastics and biobased chemicals sector collaboration between Netherlands and India.
- Ministry of Foreign AffairscoreCommissioning ministry for the Shiraka programme supporting societal development in the MENA region through government-to-government cooperation and civil society initiatives.
- Ministry of Economic AffairscoreCommissioning ministry for the WBSO (Tax Credit for Research and Development) programme, which is commissioned by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and administered by RVO.
- Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate PolicycoreMain commissioning ministry for offshore wind energy permits and subsidies, working with RVO to administer tender procedures for new wind farm developments.
- Ministry of Climate Policy and Green GrowthcoreCommissioning ministry for offshore wind energy policy, providing funding through the Climate Fund (Klimaatfonds) and SDE++ scheme for renewable energy projects.
- Ministry of Infrastructure and Water ManagementcorePartner ministry for offshore wind energy development, collaborating on the Innovation Mission to India focusing on sustainable materials and circular economy solutions.
- Noordzeker Consortium (SSE Renewables, ABP, APG)coreConsortium awarded permit for IJmuiden Ver Wind Farm Site Alpha (2 GW capacity). The consortium includes innovative solutions for bird protection and living laboratory concept with artificial reefs.
- Zeevonk II Consortium (Vattenfall, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners)coreConsortium awarded permit for IJmuiden Ver Wind Farm Site Beta (2 GW capacity). Plans include 1 GW electrolyser in Rotterdam port for green hydrogen production.
- Naturalis (Dutch Research Institute for Biodiversity)minorResearch partner collaborating with Noordzeker on biodiversity enhancement at IJmuiden Ver Alpha wind farm, supporting the living laboratory concept.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Ministry of Economic Affairs (Innovation Credit) competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- SPRIND (Bundesagentur für Sprunginnovationen): Germany's federal agency for disruptive innovation funding. Comparable as a peer government innovation agency focused on breakthrough technologies and structural innovation financing.
- Business Finland: Finnish government organization for innovation funding and internationalization services. Direct peer offering Innovation Credit-style financing, startup services, and trade missions — same model and customer base as RVO.
- Innovation Fund Denmark: Danish public fund investing in researchers, entrepreneurs, and businesses. Comparable as a smaller national innovation funder administering grants and investments on behalf of government.
- Vinnova (Swedish Innovation Agency): Sweden's government innovation agency funding R&D projects and sustainable growth initiatives. Direct peer with near-identical mandate of administering state innovation funding and international collaboration programs.
- EIFO (Denmark's Export and Investment Fund): Danish state fund combining financing for Danish exports, investments, and green transition. Highly comparable as a recently consolidated national economic agency administering financing, guarantees, and international business support.
Broad incumbents
- Innovate UK: UK's national innovation agency administering grant and loan funding for R&D-intensive businesses. Directly comparable as a government-mandated innovation funder offering grant competitions, innovation loans, and business growth support.
- U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA): US federal agency providing loan guarantees, venture capital, and R&D funding for small businesses. Comparable as a federal-level economic development agency with a similar multi-program subsidy and credit guarantee portfolio.
- Bpifrance: French public investment bank providing financing, guarantees, and equity for entrepreneurs. Comparable to RVO in combining innovation grants, SME credit guarantees, and international expansion support under one state-backed umbrella.
- KfW Group: German state development bank offering SME financing, innovation grants, and energy/climate programs. Closely comparable as a national-level public financier combining credit guarantees with innovation and sustainability incentives.
- European Investment Fund (EIF): EU-level venture capital and SME financing vehicle. Comparable as an upstream funder of Dutch VC funds and a coordinator of EU innovation financing instruments like Horizon Europe that RVO administers.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Ministry of Economic Affairs (Innovation Credit) social profiles
Digital presenceMinistry of Economic Affairs (Innovation Credit) financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ministry of Economic Affairs (Innovation Credit) leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Ministry of Economic Affairs (Innovation Credit) funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ministry of Economic Affairs (Innovation Credit) M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments4 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ministry of Economic Affairs (Innovation Credit)
What does Ministry of Economic Affairs (Innovation Credit) do?
The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), operating under the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, administers the Innovation Credit program — a credit facility that funds the development of promising and challenging innovations with excellent market perspective. Both startups and established companies (large or small) can apply, with the application window open from 1 January 2026 until 31 December 2026. Beyond Innovation Credit, RVO administers a broader portfolio of Dutch and EU subsidy, financing, tax credit, and credit guarantee programs on behalf of government ministries.
Is Ministry of Economic Affairs (Innovation Credit) a public or private company?
Ministry of Economic Affairs (Innovation Credit) is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Ministry of Economic Affairs (Innovation Credit) founded?
Ministry of Economic Affairs (Innovation Credit) was founded in 2014.
Where is Ministry of Economic Affairs (Innovation Credit) based?
Ministry of Economic Affairs (Innovation Credit) is headquartered in Haag, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does Ministry of Economic Affairs (Innovation Credit) make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Innovation Credit is the primary driver. The others are subsidy Administration Services.
Who are Ministry of Economic Affairs (Innovation Credit)'s main competitors?
Direct peers on record are SPRIND (Bundesagentur für Sprunginnovationen), Business Finland, Innovation Fund Denmark, Vinnova (Swedish Innovation Agency) and EIFO (Denmark's Export and Investment Fund). Broad incumbents are Innovate UK, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Bpifrance, KfW Group and European Investment Fund (EIF).
Does Ministry of Economic Affairs (Innovation Credit) have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ministry of Economic Affairs (Innovation Credit).
What industry is Ministry of Economic Affairs (Innovation Credit) in?
Ministry of Economic Affairs (Innovation Credit)'s product category is Government Innovation Financing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIAAAL, Trade, Industry & Economic Development Administration, with a secondary code of BPADALAM, Circular Economy & Resource Efficiency. Its NAICS code is 92611 and its SIC code is 6159.