The alphabet of my first 150 days as Invest-NL's CEO

A = Aandeelhouder (Shareholder). A state-owned enterprise, in our case the Dutch Ministry of Finance. A very enjoyable, open, professional business relationship. The same applies to our policy department at the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy. Together, we can achieve so much more over the coming years.

B = BrainPort. My first working visit was to the Netherlands' high-tech region, where intensive collaboration between entrepreneurs, governments, educational institutions and knowledge institutions results in lots of wonderful innovations. There's a good reason why most of our investments have been made in this region so far.

C = Culture. 'Culture eats strategy for breakfast.' Invest-NL has a fantastic group of highly-driven, socially conscious colleagues. That's why it's all the more important to let our cultural values (boldness, focus on the future, professionalism, energy and commitment) shine through in everything we do.

D = Deep tech. Over the past few months, we have launched the specialised Deep Tech Fund (DTF), which targets start-ups and scale-ups with innovative complex technology. We have also invested in several other deep tech funds.

E = Europe. One of our main missions is to mobilise more European capital for the Netherlands. We manage to do that quite successfully in close collaboration with the EIB, the EIF and the European Commission. I have already visited both Luxembourg and Brussels.

F = Fairphone. Our most recent investment. It's wonderful to support a company that is able to combine 'doing good' with 'doing business' in everything that they do with a €20 million investment. It's a great example of our commitment to the circular economy.

G = Green Chemistry, New Economy. An important innovation programme that we closely support. I have seen wonderful examples of green chemistry companies during both my visits to Chemelot and Groningen.

H = Human capital. Despite our start-up capital of €1.7 billion, I am absolutely convinced that our human capital is our greatest asset. It is a pleasure to work with colleagues who are inherently driven to make the Netherlands more sustainable and innovative every single day.

I = Impact. We aim to make an impact by seeking a return. When it comes to social impact and ESG, Invest-NL sets the bar very high. And that's the way it should be!

J = Jetten. One of the many ministers I had the pleasure of meeting and working with during my first few months. I have now had the opportunity to give a technical briefing on Invest-NL in the Dutch House of Representatives. Political expectations of us are high – rightly and understandably so.

K = Kerst (Christmas) party. Men in dinner jackets, women in ball gowns. Karaoke, a hearty management roast, a photo booth and the winners of the Windmill awards. My colleagues know what I mean, but for external readers this is probably a complete mystery.

L = Lightyear. The first investment announced after I started became CEO. A company that is now in dire straits, but whose innovate mentality, vision and boldness we are proud of.

M = Market failure. Our role is to invest where private investors are not (yet) willing to step in. Or, as our motto goes: 'to make the seemingly unfundable fundable'. It's a challenging but oh-so honourable role that really allows us to make a difference.

N = NPI, orNational Promotional Institute. Invest-NL is the national funding and development institution. We're part of a European network of NPIs that all aim to boost sustainability and innovation as investors.

O = Ondernemers (Entrepreneurs). Ultimately, they are the ones who are working on tomorrow's social solutions. We support them with our knowledge, networks and capital.

P = Press. In our first few years, Invest-NL received quite critical reviews. During my honeymoon period, however, I some had very enjoyable interviews with the newspaper Financieel Dagblad, BNR Nieuwsradio station and MT/Sprout.

Q = Quantum technology, but still some IQ. In my first 150 days, I had several wonderful farewell parties from my dear InnovationQuarter.

R = ROMs.Regionale Ontwikkelingsmaatschappijen('Regional Development Agencies') are an extremely important collaboration partner. Through the ROM Range Extender, Invest-NL and ROMs also invest tickets smaller than €5 million.

S = Strategy. That other important pillar in addition to culture. Any new CEO would not be a new CEO if they did not want to personally manage a further reassessment of our organisation's strategy.

T = Transitions. Ultimately, our real ambition is to fund and accelerate the major social transitions in the Netherlands. Whether it's the energy transition, circular economy or regenerative agriculture, we're working on the Netherlands of tomorrow.

U = Uitgeven  (Spending). As an investor, it seems so easy. However, investment paths are often long and complex – especially for the high-risk, capital-intensive companies we consider. Nevertheless, over three years, we have already committed over €600 million to companies and funds.

V = Venture Building. Meanwhile, we're running several programmes with partners to get start-ups investment ready, including in the areas of agrifood and the circular economy.

W = Warmte (Heat). As part of the energy transition, Business Development and Capital are focusing and intensively collaborating on several themes. We're also keen to help accelerate the construction of heat networks in the Netherlands over the coming years.

X = X…... Hang on – in a few weeks' time, we'll announce some wonderful news that starts with an X.

Y = YES! A feeling that I regularly get in my new role. It hits when I notice the flow among my colleagues, when I hear about the ground-breaking projects we're working on and when I talk proudly to entrepreneurs that we have invested in.

Z = Zorg (Care). Caring for each other and creating a better world. Also, the unending commitment of our Life Sciences colleagues to affordable, accessible care.

Rinke Zonneveld
CEO Invest-NL