Through the following funds and programs, we help entrepreneurs with advice and financing. But with this we can also strengthen the sectors in Limburg. Would you like to know more? Give us a call. We will gladly help you.
LIOF is the regional development company of the Province of Limburg. We ensure the strengthening of the economic structure and thus the growth of Limburg.
70 committed LIOF colleagues help your company grow with advice, a solid network and financing, to strive for a smarter, more durable and healthy Limburg.
Fund of funds
Through Fund-of-Funds, LIOF invests in other funds, which then make direct investments in individual companies. These include Private Equity (PE) and Venture Capital (VC) funds.
Additional capital, expertise and new networks
These fund-of-funds investments make it easier for us to close large financing rounds. They are an additional way of bringing capital, expertise and new networks to Limburg. Because ultimately, LIOF is all about one thing: helping entrepreneurs move forward.
Greater financial strength
Money multiplier and more capital
We set clear conditions for our financial participation in commercial funds (private equity and venture capital). Every euro we invest must be reinvested at least once in the Limburg economy. This means that no capital leaks out of the province. In fact, additional capital flows into Limburg to strengthen the economy. We call this the money multiplier.
Some companies require more capital than we can offer directly. Commercial funds have those extra resources at their disposal. Through our partnership with these funds, we expect to give Limburg companies more frequent and easier access to larger follow-up financing. In this way, we can jointly increase our impact on the Limburg economy.
What are Private Equity Funds?
PE: commercial investment funds that use money from other investors to buy mature companies and help them grow. The aim is to sell the company on at a later date at a profit.
What are Venture Capital Funds?
VC: commercial investment funds that use money from other investors to buy a minority stake in young, fast-growing companies at a stage when a company is already showing great potential but still has significant growth ahead of it. The aim is to help the company achieve the desired growth while also generating a good return on that investment.
More than money
Knowledge and network too
As an investor, we are generalists. We focus on SMEs in the (defence) industry, healthcare, logistics, agri-food and smart services. This is a broad scope, while each sector actually requires specific knowledge and experience. Commercial funds are often specialised. By investing in such a specialist fund, we learn ourselves and enable Limburg companies to benefit from that in-depth sector knowledge.
With fund-of-funds investments, LIOF attracts larger funds, with their own networks, to Limburg. We open up our network and put Limburg on the map as an economic growth region. And once those commercial funds know LIOF, the link to entrepreneurs with additional capital needs is quickly established.
Social impact
In addition to economic returns
In addition to economic returns, LIOF also strives to make a social impact. Here too, the partnership with Fonds-in-Fons investments contributes to this goal.
The NLC Stepping Stone Fund, for example, invests in early-stage spin-offs from universities. Many doctors, researchers, and students have brilliant ideas but lack the time or experience to turn them into a real business. NLC takes on that role, which greatly advances healthcare innovations in Limburg.
The Borski Fund is the first fund in the Netherlands that focuses entirely on solving issues such as financing for female tech entrepreneurs. They have a strong network in the Netherlands and Western Europe. Entrepreneurs in Limburg benefit from that network and from their focus on diversity.
An overview
Which funds do we participate in?
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Brightlands Venture Partners: focused on the agri-food, agritech, chemicals & materials, and health sectors. The BVP funds often invest alongside LIOF in Limburg-based start-ups and scale-ups, thereby increasing the size of the investment and making it more attractive to other investors.
NLC Stepping Stone Fund: focused on early-stage health spinoffs from universities. This fund not only invests, but also acquires IP and helps build promising commercial companies.
Thuja Capital: focused on early-stage investments in the most innovative life sciences companies in Western Europe.
Borski Fund: established by women and focused on investments in the growth phase of technology companies with female entrepreneurs. Borski has now built up a large network of female entrepreneurs in the Netherlands and Western Europe.
Berk Partners: focused on the sustainable and structurally sound growth of SMEs. With a focus on the innovative industry, food and health sectors.
Shift Fund IV: a VC impact fund focused on early-stage investment in the energy, food, mobility and green industry sectors.
Keen European Defence & Cybersecurity Fund: focused on European security by investing in the early and growth stages of companies with a so-called Dual Use Defence proposition.
Do you have any questions?
Please feel free to contact us. We are here to help!
