Proof-of-concept Funding

What is Proof-of-concept Funding?

Proof-of-concept Funding is there to ensure that an idea develops from the planning phase into the startup phase. Startups and SMEs can use a loan from the Proof-of-concept funding scheme to examine whether their idea is potentially feasible in the market. The loan plus the interest have to be repaid. The interest rate is 7.19% (as of 1 January 2026). The EU-reference percentage is variable and is set by the European Commission.

For whom?

Both startups and established businesses can benefit from the VFF. The scheme is aimed at three target groups:

SME (small and medium-sized)

Are you an SME entrepreneur working on a technically innovative idea? If so, you can apply for Proof-of-concept funding from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency or a regional office to investigate the technical and commercial feasibility.

Innovative start-ups (≤ 5 years)

Are you an innovative startup and has your business been in existence for no more than 5 years? If so, you can apply for Proof-of-concept funding from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency or a regional office to investigate the technical and commercial feasibility.

Academic, hbo and TO2 startups 

Are you an academic, hbo (polytechnisch) or TO2 startup, and do your economic activities stem directly and immediately from research conducted by a university, hbo or academic hospital? If so, you fall within the academic target group. For this group, the scheme is administered by the NWO Domain Applied and Engineering Sciences (NWO AES). A separate budget is available for this target group. That budget amounts to €4.95 million for the period from 6 January 2026 to 26 February 2026.  

Visit the NWO AES website for more information.

Conditions

Your application for Proof-of-concept Funding will be assessed rigorously. Your project must therefore meet a number of conditions. The five key criteria are listed below:

1. You are working on the development of a technologically innovative product, process or service.
2. The idea has been validated at the proof-of-principle stage.
3. The loan is intended to demonstrate proof-of-concept.
4. There is an investor who wishes to come on board after completion.
5. Repayment begins after 3 to 5 years.

Read more about the Proof-of-concept Funding conditions.

Applying: regional or national application?

You can apply for Proof-of-concept funding via a national or regional office. Which office applies to you depends on the province in which your business is based (or will be based).

Regional application

Is your business based (or planning to be based) in Friesland, Limburg, North Brabant, North Holland, Utrecht, Zeeland or South Holland? Then you apply for VFF via the regional office in your province. See below for the contact details of your office.

National application

Is your business based in one of the other provinces? If so, you can apply for a loan via the national office at the Netherlands Enterprise Agency. Applications can be made throughout 2026, subject to budget availability. We recommend completing the Quick Scan first. 

Proof-of-concept funding Quick Scan

Are you considering applying for Proof-of-concept funding via the national office? If so, we recommend that you first outline your plan briefly using the Proof-of-concept funding Quick Scan. Based on this, one of our advisers will provide an initial assessment of your chances of a successful application.

Fill in the Quick Scan

Preparing your application

An application for Proof-of-concept Funding starts with thorough preparation. Are you an SME entrepreneur or an innovative startup? If so, you will find practical steps and key points to consider on the ‘Preparing your application’ page. These will help you submit a sound and complete grant application.

After your application

Have you applied for Proof-of-concept funding? Find out what happens after you submit your application.