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There is a myriad of brilliant ideas in the water sector. But the big question is how to turn ideas into promising business models and to attract private financers. That is where the Investor Readiness Programme comes in, with the Netherlands Water Partnership (NWP) as one of the initiators. The programme aims at connecting start-ups and scale ups with investors. It helps entrepreneurs to define their financing need and learn more about the world of investors and financing structures. And financiers are offered valuable options to fill their investment pipeline.
The Programme is an initiative of the Netherlands Water Partnership, Wetsus, Financing Table Water Technology and the Dutch Top Consortium for Knowledge and Innovation Water Technology.
Are you a start-up or scale-up that seeks funding?
The Investor Readiness Programme has been designed to accelerate the number of financeable propositions of SMEs in the Dutch water sector, especially technology companies and water tech companies.
The Investor Readiness Programme consists of three core components:
Masterclasses
Friday, October 21, 2022 – Masterclass day 1
Thursday, November 3 – Masterclass day 2
The one-on-one coaching is given by a financial expert who examines the specific situation of the participating entrepreneur and gives him or her strategic advice on the financial proposition and company pitch.
The Masterclasses and the personal coaching helps the starting entrepreneur to present a successful pitch to a group of financiers.
“We want to support companies in the early phase where regular bank financing is not yet feasible. We offer support and are prepared to take risks, provided they have a promising technology, a strong team and a clear plan.”
KOEN HOONING, INVESTMENT MANAGER AT SHIFT INVEST
Meet your financier
The Investor Readiness Programme ends with a series of online pitch sessions, called financing tables, in which the participating start-ups and scale-ups pitch their proposition to a diverse group of financiers, including banks, impact investors and venture capital funds. During the previous edition of the Investor Readiness Programme, the ten participating entrepreneurs were brought into contact with a group of 20 financiers during the pitch sessions.
Eligibility criteria
Start-ups and scale-ups interested in participating in the Investor Readiness Programme should meet the following criteria:
The masterclasses and one-on-one guidance will take place in October and November 2022. The Programme’s financing tables will take place at the end of November 2022.
“The Investor Readiness programme addresses a real market-gap and proves to be highly relevant for both companies like us and investors active in the water sector. The day improved our connections, proving to be way more efficient than cold calls.”
JAN PIETER VAN TILBURG, BUSINESS DIRECTOR AT NATURE’S PRINCIPLES
Get on board
Start-ups and scale-ups are invited to express their interest in participating by sending an e-mail to project leader Lisanne Evenhuis at l.evenhuis@nwp.nl.
Abstract
The realisation of a circular economy has thus far unfolded under the assumption that it would fit within existing economic arrangements. In practice, we witness many circular initiatives struggling to give shape to their ambitions, let alone develop to maturity. These past months, various material recycling organisations terminated their activities, seeing virgin alternatives from other parts of the world flooding the market at prices against they cannot compete. If the transition towards a circular economy (i.e. an economy of value preservation) is to be taken seriously, a new perspective on value in our economic system seems unavoidable, as the rewriting of the rules of the economic game. At this moment, current perceptions of value stand in the way of this transition both at micro as well as macro levels. Several contours for a collective exploration of new directions of value and economic configuration that foster circular transition will be addressed.
Abstract
In his key note he will conclude after a life of innovations that it is impossible that humanity will stay within the save planetary boundaries with innovation only. We should be more critical about the behaviour of the rich population in the world and more critical about new innovations that prove to be dangerous, like the PFAS crisis shows at this moment. In his keynote he will investigate how to look at the world that can stay within the save planetary boundaries, how should we change ourselves? It is clear if we only talk about the words of science and systems we miss the essential words of how we should cooperate and change ourselves. And his search for coherent save innovations. Which innovations will be save and will lead to a fair and sustainable world? And will lead to a world we want to live in.
Abstract
There is a growing number of new sustainable, inclusive, cohesive, participatory, just and humane economic models. A possible next step in the discourse about them is the comparative analysis in order to find out key commonalities, potential synergies, and “requirements” for a future-fit economic model. The author and initiator of the Economy for the Common Good provides an overview of these „new sustainable economic models“ and compares them according to underlying values, principles, and practical ways of implementation. The keynote addresses the cooperative spirit of the conference and prepares the ground for its public highlight on the eve of June 3rd, the round table with representatives of diverse future-fit economic models.
Abstract
The scientific debate on whether economies should always continue to grow increasingly becomes a political and societal debate. On the one hand further growth for the most affluent countries seems neither possible nor valuable, but on the other hand there is still lack of understanding and knowledge what a non-growing economy should look like and could best be governed. In this lecture we discuss various policy measures that can be realistically implemented, take into account government finances and aim at a higher quality of life despite a non-growing economy.
Abstract
Democracy is under pressure, and less and less able to stir the economy into a sustainable direction. Therefore, to stabilize democracy and to make possible the socio-ecological transformation of the economy, democratic principles need to be implemented directly in the economy. This is not only a matter of morality, but also has practical advantages. Democratizing the economy can increase legitimacy and take advantage of the “knowledge of the many” to accelerate the transformation. Democratic practices, especially deliberation, allow bringing together different forms of knowledge, which is crucial for the local implementation of principles of social and ecological sustainability. This talk explores what this idea means in more concrete terms, from democratic participation in the workplace to the democratization of time.
Abstract
Over the past decades, markets have conventionally been seen as the best instrument to stimulate economic growth and enhance prosperity and well-being. The automatic link between markets and economic growth is increasingly questioned, however, as well as the automatic link between economic growth and enhancement of well-being. This has led to attempts to capture well-being development more directly than through GDP per capita figures and has produced a more variegated picture of well-being growth. Also, this has led to a shift of focus to other coordination systems than the market, as primarily the state but increasingly also the association. Analyses of the historical record suggest that especially the latter could be a vital component in future well-being.
