Regional funds offer valuable opportunities

A meeting of the regional funds. What can you expect then? Stories from those funds, of course! And free coffee. But... will you make room in your calendar for that? Mwah, you can read those stories on the websites (see the box) and the coffee always tastes better at home. You'd rather hear experiences, get inspired, talk to people who work with the funds. No sooner said than done: the funds offered - according to the invitation - "an afternoon full of inspiration, new contacts and opportunities to grow. See, that appeals.

The crowd pleaser was Bob de Jong, although there were people in the room who were still in the cradle in 2006 (Turin Olympics, gold at the 10 km). If you ever have the chance: come and listen to his story. That's why we're not giving away everything, just the message: listen to your gut. And that end goal - gold - is nice and all, but cut it into manageable pieces. Stay in the now. Then what comes next will come naturally. Oh yes: and have fun! No fun? Find it! And last but not least: vary, think and do - and move - out of the box. Bob won gold by taking all these life lessons to heart.

Niels Doorduin of the Health Guild compares entrepreneurship with top sport. Especially the mental side of an entrepreneur is challenged. Stress just seems to be part of it. But that is not necessary, Niels claimed. He then took the audience into the wonderful world of empathy, and how much less stress that produces. Physical well-being is just as important. Niels enticed the audience to give in to sweet pleasures. Delicious! As it turned out, it was one hundred percent healthy! The message: healthy, tasty and nutritious go together. Niels' company Health Guild wants to make people aware of the causal effect: healthy living, energetic business.

On stage, the moderator interviewed Felix van der Gun of Flixit, Erik Pijlman of Recell and Tjapko Uildriks of Dopple. Three entrepreneurs who seized opportunities by using the services of regional funds. With impressive results. Felix does in software for stores - large chains - to publicize actions locally. His unique selling point: local recognition. And of course the basis: the right data. He works with the Groninger Growth Fund and the NOM. Felix received funding to accelerate Flixit' s growth and improve the product. He concluded, "I got a lot of advice to help me as a very young entrepreneur.

Erik produces cellulose for the construction (fibers) and chemical industries (sugars). His USP: circularity, thus low CO2 footprint. He has been working with FOM and NOM since its inception. The knowledge of water technology from Friesland is welcome; from Drenthe and Groningen comes the experience with green chemistry. Recell gets advice from the regional funds; they make plans together. The network of FOM and NOM has proved very useful. Erik: 'The collaboration provides a stable breeding ground.'

Tjapko has developed earplugs for industry and construction. His secret: advanced bluetooth technology. Allowing communication without taking off the earplugs. And that's good, because: off = not safe. Because it is an innovative product in a highly regulated niche (safety), it took a long time to pass all the tests. Read: a lot of money. Also because Dopple works with large contracts with multinationals, funding was needed. MKB Fonds Drenthe helped with that.

- Groninger Growth Fund - helping to grow

- Friese Ontwikkelingsmaatschappij - for entrepreneurs with growth ambitions

- MKB Fonds Drenthe - give your ambition a chance