As of October 1, Invest International is officially 'in business'. As a private company, Invest International, led by Joost Oorthuizen, will support companies active in the Netherlands in the international funding of innovative solutions that contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The company is a Joint Venture of the Dutch State (51%) and development bank FMO (49%).
In addition to funding from its own share capital of EUR 833 million, Invest International also offers funding from public programs. These focus on international funding of Dutch start-ups and SMEs (more than EUR 300 million), as well as infrastructure projects of governments in which Dutch business can play a role (EUR 165 million annually). With an annual amount for project development (EUR 9 million), the fund can help companies make international investments fundable.
More capital available for international funding
Various studies show that good opportunities exist in international markets for companies operating in the Netherlands. At the same time, it appears that market parties cannot always meet the resulting need for international funding. This often has to do with risks that are unknown or unacceptable to market participants.
For example, for investments with a long(er) term, for smaller projects that require relatively large capacity of the investor or for projects in countries where market parties themselves are not active (anymore). With Invest International's risk funding and project development services, more capital becomes available. As a result, the international opportunities of the business community active in the Netherlands can be better exploited. Invest International decided at the start to focus on sectors in which the business community in the Netherlands has a lot to offer (from the perspective of the SDGs): Agri-food, Healthcare, Water & Infrastructure, Sustainable Production and Climate & Energy.
Firm ambitions
Wopke Hoekstra, Minister of Finance: "The start of Invest International is an important stimulus for further supporting Dutch companies abroad. By combining forces and additional financial clout, the threshold for sustainable investment abroad and exporting Dutch expertise is further lowered."
Tom de Bruijn, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation: "Good that Dutch companies will have an extra opportunity to finance sustainable activities in developing countries. The benefits go both ways: the Dutch economy benefits, and in developing countries there are opportunities to do something concrete about problems such as climate change and food shortages."
Michael Jongeneel, CEO of FMO: "With Invest International, the Netherlands gets a new financier, and FMO a new partner, focused on achieving the SDGs. We are very excited about the additional opportunities this gives the Dutch business community and we look forward to our cooperation.''
Joost Oorthuizen, CEO of Invest International: "The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) offer enormous business opportunities to the internationally active corporate sector in the Netherlands. As Invest International, we want to invest in the frontrunners who want to help realize the SDGs with innovative solutions. Because we work for governments and companies, we as 'team Invest International' can really make a difference."
About Invest International
Invest International is a private company financed with public funds. As an impact investor, its goal is to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the future earning capacity of the Dutch economy by funding Dutch solutions.
Shareholders have appointed a supervisory board to oversee Invest International's management. Currently, Invest International has about 80 employees.
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