Make your plans concrete
Before you start looking for funding, make sure you have a clear plan. In it, you describe the goal of your international ambition. Where do you want to do business? Exactly how much funding do you need? And how will you make a profit? Make a business plan that includes a well-founded financial plan before you start looking for funding.
Ask RVO for help and advice
The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland, RVO) helps you find the right funding. RVO runs various programmes and schemes for the government. Can RVO not help you find the right subsidy? Then they refer you to international investment agencies for help with financing your plans.
Subsidy and Funding Guide.
Make use of the Subsidy and Funding Guide (in Dutch). Here you will find all subsidies and schemes for starting exporters (in Dutch) and feasibility studies.
Increase your funding chances with a quick scan
To check if your plans meet the intent of the scheme, you can first use a quick scan to investigate. Based on the quick scan, an RVO adviser will estimate your chances of a successful application. Completing the quick scan takes about 1 hour. Usually, you will have a talk about it with an adviser within a week. You can find examples of quick scans at the Dutch Trade & Investment Fund (in Dutch) and the Dutch Good Growth Fund (in Dutch).
Tool for financing and insurance for international business
Do you have plans to export, invest, or expand abroad? If so, it can be difficult to get financing. The export guide tool (exportwijzer, in Dutch) will give you a good idea of whether you qualify for international financing or export insurance from the government.
Clarify your social impact
Are you going to undertake corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities abroad? For example, in emerging markets or developing countries? If so, there are additional opportunities for financing. But to qualify for financial government support you must comply with the OECD guidelines (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development).
To solve international CSR (ICSR) problems in a sector, there are agreements to promote Responsible Business Conduct. Through those agreements companies, civil society organisations, and the Dutch government work together to tackle problems. For example, human rights violations or damage to the environment.
ICSR vouchers
MVO Netherlands is the starting point when you want to make your business operations sustainable. Here you can get ICSR vouchers for a discount on advice for your company and product.
Arrange your financial affairs when doing business internationally
Ensure sufficient working capital
Debtor financing, purchase financing, and chain financing can help you get working capital faster and increase your financial scope. This way, you also gain the trust of your trading partners and financiers.
Payment method
If you do business abroad, you want to be sure you will get paid. Trust, local customs, and government measures influence the choice of payment method. Your bank can help you find the right method.
Credit insurance
Do you want more certainty that you will get paid when you provide your services or products on account? Then you can take out credit insurance. You will then pay a premium on your turnover.
Currency risks
If you do business with countries outside the eurozone, you may face currency risks. Because the value of the foreign currency may fluctuate against the euro. It is important to estimate the currency risk for your company in advance.
Avoid double taxation
Take into account different tax laws abroad. You may have to deal with income tax (inkomstenbelasting) or corporate income tax (vennootschapsbelasting). To avoid paying double tax, the Netherlands has concluded tax treaties with all EU member states and other countries.