InnovationQuarter

InnovationQuarter is the non-profit, publicly funded economic development agency for the Zuid-Holland region. Our region thrives on innovative tech ideas aimed at creating a smarter, more sustainable and healthier world. With our investment funds, extensive sector knowledge, testing facilities, growth programs (such as the 'Market Readiness Program') and a broad network, we help transform innovative ideas into market-ready solutions.   We nurture local innovative businesses, fostering an ecosystem of growth in sectors like Digital Technology & Cybersecurity, Maritime, Energy & Chemistry, High Tech & Aerospace, Horticulture & Food and Life Sciences. We believe local enterprises are vital to our region's economic vitality.  

Expand to Europe and scale your business from South Holland

Looking for the right place to launch or scale in Europe? South Holland gives you direct access to one of Europe’s most connected innovation ecosystems!

Here, world-leading universities, Europe’s largest port, global industry leaders, cutting-edge research facilities and international institutions come together in a single region. Whether you operate in quantum, semiconductors, life sciences, energy, cybersecurity, aerospace or sustainable food systems, you’ll find the partners, talent and infrastructure you need to grow. But expanding into a new market is about more than choosing a location. It’s about building the right network.

InnovationQuarter helps innovative companies establish and scale in Europe by connecting them with customers, industry partners, investors, knowledge institutions, talent and test facilities. IQ can help you navigate the Dutch ecosystem, identify opportunities and accelerate your path to market. From your first market exploration to long-term growth, they make sure you can focus on what matters most: growing your business.

Why companies choose this region?

• Access to Europe’s largest port and international markets.
• World-class universities and research institutes.
• Strong innovation clusters in high-tech, life sciences, energy, cybersecurity, aerospace and food systems.
• Direct connections to customers, partners and investors.
• Highly skilled international talent.
• A supportive ecosystem designed for innovation and growth

(Inter)national Collaboration

Beyond this, we regional companies scale up and expand internationally through our internationalization programs. Our approach involves orchestrating focused trade missions for companies operating in similar sectors, designed to ease their access to new global markets.    InnovationQuarter Capital Our strength also lies in being an impact investor with € 300 million in funds under management that empower us to invest in and support local enterprises. Successful innovation requires money. We invest in Safety & Security companies that, amongst other factors, have the potential to lift our regional economy to a higher level, through stronger clusters, more employment opportunities, and innovations with a societal impact. As a lifecycle investor, InnovationQuarter finances companies in different cycles of their business growth and draws its investments from four funds: IQCapital, UNIIQ, ENERGIIQ and the Rotterdam Energy Transition Fund.  

• IQCapital is a fund of € 143 million for investments in disruptive startups & scale-ups with high technological risk and a need for patient capital.
• UNIIQ is a € 47 million seed fund, focused on the proof-of-concept phase to bridge the riskiest phase from concept to promising business. UNIIQ is powered by the European Union.
• ENERGIIQ is a fund for financing the commercialization of proven energy innovations that leads to CO2 reduction. The € 35 million fund is powered by the Province of Zuid-Holland.
• The Rotterdam Energy Transition Fund is a € 100 million investment fund that finances disruptive companies and sustainable projects that realise CO2 reduction, improvement of air quality and a reduced use of raw materials.

Summarized: InnovationQuarter finances innovative and fast-growing companies, assists international companies in establishing their businesses in the region Zuid-Holland, and facilitates (international) collaboration between innovative entrepreneurs, knowledge institutes and government.