ROM Utrecht Region has aligned with Eyevestor to enhance financial opportunities for local entrepreneurs in Utrecht. Their collaboration is seen as a pivotal move to expand financing channels, particularly in the digital, health, and sustainability sectors. An investment in Eyevestor, funded partly by the European Regional Development Fund, marks a significant step in making funds more accessible. This initiative offers local businesses a supportive environment to secure necessary capital, facilitating sustainable economic growth.
Both organisations have previously supported the financial capital landscape in different ways. ROM Utrecht Region, known for the Startup Innovation Fund and the Participation Fund, focuses on transformative sectors, while Eyevestor has been known for its unique share issuance model via its Sharefunding platform. Eyevestor’s approach complements ROM’s mission to create a comprehensive financing offering, including support for both startups and established SMEs. This partnership further strengthens their roles in meeting local business funding needs.
What does the collaboration aim to achieve?
The collaboration aims to make equity-based funding more accessible, facilitating a swifter expansion for Eyevestor’s services targeting both entrepreneurs and investors. The resulting capital acceleration will be pivotal for innovative companies seeking growth. With increased investment involvement, both parties are looking to fill a critical gap in the regional financing landscape. They’re committed to achieving their funding objectives by the end of October, signaling potential for continued growth and innovation.
How does Eyevestor contribute to the financing landscape?
Eyevestor enhances finance accessibility by offering alternative systems for share issuance, appealing to private and professional investors alike. Their Sharefunding platform allows various stakeholders to participate, creating a diverse network of support for entrepreneurs. Holding a European Crowdfunding Service Provider license, Eyevestor has facilitated successful financing rounds for several companies, including SharePeople and LABFRESH, demonstrating its role as a significant player.
Eyevestor’s strategy stands out for its focus on the complete business lifecycle. By empowering entrepreneurs to connect financing with their networks, the company has already enabled platforms in Utrecht to raise over €25M. This further underlines Eyevestor’s impact on the alternative finance sector. “Equity financing gives entrepreneurs more time and space to innovate and work on sustainable growth,” articulates Arjan van den Born, Director of ROM Utrecht Region. The collaboration aligns with trends in alternative financing, as evidenced by notable growth in crowdfunding across Europe.
Alternate techniques for generating effects are becoming increasingly prevalent in the Netherlands. The 2024 data illustrates crowdfunding raising approximately €1.14B, a near 20% growth from the previous year. Eyevestor’s CEO, Gijs Dalen Meurs, noted, “Thanks to the partnership with the ROM, we can give even more entrepreneurs access to shareholder capital, often largely sourced from their own network of customers, employees, and partners.” The partnership thus remains essential in catering to expanding financial demands.
The benefits of the ROM and Eyevestor partnership are multi-fold. By effectively combining resources, they provide a solid financial framework for businesses poised for impact-driven achievements. Entrepreneurs now have improved channels to expand and innovate. Observing the increasing crowdfunding trends, these developments align with broader European market growth, favoring the rise of alternative funding schemes in the coming years.
