Challenge and support entrepreneurs inside and outside Overijssel in innovative energy plans

4 June 2021

Innovations are desperately needed to make the energy transition possible. That's why the one we manage works Energiefonds Overijssel together with development company Oost NL to help innovative entrepreneurs in the energy sector even better with their next breakthrough. In the Accelerator Energy Innovations Overijssel The day challenges entrepreneurs and supports them with their innovative energy plans. The collaboration was sealed today with the signing of a Letter of Intent, which was presented to Tijs de Bree, Deputy for Energy, Environment and Labour Market of the province of Overijssel. Read all about it in the press release below.

Press release

Collaboration between Oost NL and Energiefonds Overijssel offers opportunities

Challenging and supporting entrepreneurs with innovative energy plans

The energy transition presents many challenges, but one thing is certain: innovation is desperately needed to make this transition possible. Therefore, Energiefonds Overijssel (EFO) and Oost NL are entering into a collaboration to challenge and support entrepreneurs with their innovative energy plans. Entrepreneurs with an innovative energy product or solution in development can receive funding, expertise, support, and access to a large network through the Versneller Energie Innovaties Overijssel (VEIO), enabling them to bring their product to market more quickly. Today, the parties sealed the collaboration by signing a Letter of Intent, which was presented to Tijs de Bree, Deputy for Energy, Environment, and Labour Market of the province of Overijssel.

Accelerator for energy innovations within and beyond Overijssel
The collaboration aims to accelerate the development of innovative energy initiatives and ventures, thereby boosting the energy transition in Overijssel. With the Overijssel Energy Innovation Accelerator, the knowledge and chances of success for energy innovations will be increased. Together, the parties have made over 25 million euros available for this purpose. It offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to bring their energy product to market more quickly. This applies not only to entrepreneurs in Overijssel: companies from outside the province that wish to establish themselves in Overijssel can also make use of this.

Anouk Blüm, General Director of Energiefonds Overijssel, says about the collaboration:
“This offers opportunities for energy entrepreneurs within and beyond Overijssel. Through collaboration, they gain greater clarity on the financability of their business in less time and access to a large network with knowledge, expertise, and other investors.”

Wendy de Jong, General Manager of Oost NL, says:
“Innovation is needed to realise the energy transition. Oost NL and Energiefonds Overijssel, together with capital, brainpower, knowledge and networks, stimulate innovative entrepreneurs from Overijssel. By joining forces, we arrive at smart financing solutions and entrepreneurs can achieve breakthroughs more quickly.’

Objective feedback on technique and market application
Besides support during a risky phase, easier and faster access to funding and the network of private investors, the VEIO also offers the opportunity to test the technical feasibility and market applications of products through the Energy Innovation Startup Team, part of New Energy Overijssel of the province. This allows entrepreneurs to make adjustments to their product and business case more quickly, bringing them closer to market. Tijs de Bree, Deputy for Energy, Environment and Labour Market, says about this: “Within the New Energy Overijssel programme, the Innovation cluster is intensively involved in stimulating and facilitating energy innovation. To better support entrepreneurs in Overijssel, the Energy Innovations Start Team was established at the end of 2019. The team helps good ideas and developments move forward, from various perspectives and specialisms, which contribute to accelerating the energy transition.”

The signing marks the start of the collaboration and a campaign to inform entrepreneurs in the Netherlands about the opportunities. The province's interest in attracting innovative energy entrepreneurs is significant. Entrepreneurs and companies with an innovative energy product or solution under development can now visit the websites of Oost NL and Energiefonds Overijssel.

Oost NL  Accelerator Energy Innovations Overijssel | Oost NL.

Energiefonds Overijssel: VEIO Overijssel Energy Fund