About us

Dutch Regional Development Agency (ROM), also known as ‘Regionale Ontwikkelingsmaatschappij’ in Dutch, is an organization that plays a crucial role in fostering economic growth, innovation, and development within a specific region in the Netherlands. These agencies are typically established to stimulate and support businesses, startups, and projects that contribute to the economic vitality of a particular region, in our case: Utrecht region.

Key functions of a Dutch ROM include:

1. Financial Support: ROMs often provide financial support in the form of loans, equity investments, or guarantees to businesses and projects that align with regional development goals. This financial assistance aims to facilitate entrepreneurship, innovation, and job creation within the region.
2. Investment Attraction: ROMs actively work to attract investments from both national and international sources. They seek to bring in funding that can stimulate economic activities, enhance infrastructure, and promote innovation within the region.
3. Innovation and Research Support: ROMs support research and development initiatives by collaborating with local research institutions, universities, and innovative enterprises. They aim to create an environment that fosters technological advancements and contributes to the region’s competitiveness.
4. Networking and Collaboration: ROMs act as connectors, facilitating collaboration between businesses, government entities, educational institutions, and other stakeholders. By fostering a network of partnerships, ROMs help create a supportive ecosystem for regional economic development.
5. Strategic Planning: These agencies are often involved in developing and implementing strategic plans for regional economic development. They assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to the region, and work towards sustainable and balanced growth.
6. Business Support Services: ROMs offer various support services to businesses, including advice on business development, market access, and internationalization. They may also provide mentorship programs and other resources to help entrepreneurs succeed.

Overall, the primary goal of a Dutch Regional Development Agency is to contribute to the economic well-being of a specific region by fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable growth. These agencies play a pivotal role in shaping the economic landscape and ensuring the long-term prosperity of the regions they serve. We are active in the Invest in Holland network.