NOM gave a strong impulse to the regional economy in 2025. A total of nearly 100 million euros in economic development and innovation was set in motion. This is the result of an integral approach in which direct investments in companies go hand in hand with supporting large-scale innovation projects and international cooperation.
Economic dynamics through connections
The total impulse of almost 100 million euros reflects the breadth of NOM's activities in the provinces of Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe. This amount is composed of approximately 34 million euros in capital that NOM committed directly to northern startups, scale-ups and innovative SMEs, supplemented by 60 million euros in total project value from new innovation programs in which NOM played a key role in the creation.
"What matters to us is not the number, but the movement behind it," says Dina Boonstra, director of NOM. "That €60 million in innovation projects is the sum of plans we have developed together with entrepreneurs, knowledge institutions and governments. In this, we act as the link that brings parties and resources together. This is how we ensure that complex projects in areas such as the circular economy or digitalization actually get off the ground."
The Northern Netherlands on the world stage
NOM also made great strides internationally in 2025. With the 'Road to Osaka', the northern Netherlands was positioned as a global player in sectors such as hydrogen and healthy aging at the World Expo in Japan. This course paid off: seven 'high-value' companies landed in the region. These are companies that directly add new knowledge and innovation to the northern ecosystems and thus act as so-called missing links.
Profit as fuel for new entrepreneurs
The financial year ended with a positive result of € 2.5 million. This result is partly due to a number of successful exits, in which companies in which NOM invested now continue to grow independently or with new partners.
Boonstra: "That profit is not an end goal for us, but fuel. NOM is a revolving fund; every euro we earn flows directly back to the region. Thanks to this result, in 2026 we can again invest fully in the next generation of northern startups and innovative SMEs that need our help.''
The most important results in a row per core task
Innovate
- 10 new innovation projects developed in cooperation with regional and (inter)national partners.
- € 60 million total project value: the combined investment size of all partners involved.
- Guided 76 startups through the Startup and Investor Readiness Programs.
Internationalization
- Attracted 7 'high-value' companies that strengthen northern innovation clusters.
- 91 investor relations meetings were held with (foreign) companies.
- Guided 10 companies to international markets.
Invest
- € 34 million in capital committed and deployed.
- Provided 47 (follow-up) investments in promising companies in the region.
- € 2.5 million positive financial result, which again becomes available for new investments in the Northern Netherlands.
Regional strength in response to global uncertainty
Especially at a time when global supply chains are proving vulnerable and strategic autonomy is a national priority, strengthening regional innovative strength is dire necessity. By making targeted investments in sectors such as green chemistry and autonomous systems, NOM is building not only a strong northern economy, but also the resilience and independence of the Netherlands.
"The figures show that the Northern Netherlands is growing," said Gertjan Lankhorst, Chairman of the Supervisory Board. "But more important is that entrepreneurs are becoming stronger, internationalizing and applying new technologies. That's what it's ultimately all about."
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