‘SME accelerator fund Drechtsteden’ supports maritime testfacility VAF Instruments.
Dordrecht – ‘The SME accelerator fund Drechtsteden’ is an investment fund for medium and small enterprises. The fund was launched in March 2016 with the capacity of half a million euros, by the regional government of the Drechtsteden region. The goal of the fund is to stimulate innovation by supporting the early stage development of product innovation. Its focus is on; prototyping, feasibility studies, knowledge vouchers and joint R&D developments. A maximum of 50% of the project costs can be funded.
Assets of the ‘SME accelerator fund’ Drechtsteden:
- Short procedure of six weeks from proposal to decision-making
- Personal presentation to the advisory board with representatives from local companies
- Focus on early stage of product development
VAF Instruments, established in Dordrecht received the most recent funding for the development of an R&D facility. Together with four other regional companies, they will create a maritime test facility in the ‘Sustainability Factory’ in Dordrecht. The facility simulates the waterflow of a river, where propulsion techniques for ships can be tested and improved. The goal is to create a more efficient propulsion techniques with a reduction of CO2 emissions. The advisory board of the ‘SME accelerator fund’ is highly enthusiastic about this ‘open innovation environment’ with multiple companies and the possibility for students from the ‘DaVinci School’ to participate in the project. The VAF partnership invests € 150.000,-, and the project receives € 40.000,- from the accelerator fund.
From left to right: Secretary MKB-katalysatorfonds (Martin Hulsebosch), Director VAF Instruments (Leo Blankenstein), Alderman Dordrecht (Jasper Mos),
For more information see www.mkbkatalysatorfondsdrechtsteden.nl.