Seed Business Angel Scheme

With the Seed Business Angel scheme, the government aims to improve the financing of tech and creative startups in their early stages. It is still difficult for startups to get financing in their early stages. This scheme allows business angels to provide start-ups with 'smart money'. Business angels contribute their knowledge, network and experience. This approach increases the startups' chances of success.

For investors

Want to join up with at least one other investor to support techno starters or creative startups? Then apply for an interest-free cash loan to set up a Seed Business Angel fund. The State can lend you up to € 1 million interest-free.

One condition is that you and your investment partners (there have to be at least two business angels) make in total at least the same amount as the loan available for investment. None of the business angels may have a majority stake in the fund. In addition, the minimum deposit per business angel is € 100,000.

With the total investment amount, you can then invest in a portfolio of startups, by a fund plan you have set up.

For startups

Are you a startup entrepreneur who would like to get support? Read how startups can take advantage of a Seed Business Angel fund.

Maximum loan

The maximum loan is equal to the total private investment in the fund, up to € 1 million.

Conditions

Business angels can qualify for this scheme if they invest in startups. Read the conditions for being considered for the Seed Business Angel scheme.

Application

You can apply throughout the year. You log in using eHerkenning. To submit your application, you will need at least: eHerkenning level 2+ with authorisation for RVO services at level 2+.

Please note: the 2026 budget for this grant has been exhausted. New applications will therefore be rejected. You can submit a new application from January 2027. Applications are processed in order of receipt (on a first-come, first-served basis).

• Submit your application

Loan repayment

The loan is subject to a favourable repayment scheme for business angels. This makes investing in tech start-ups and creative start-ups financially attractive for business angel funds:

• From the moment revenue is generated, the fund repays only 20% of the revenue to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, until the business angels’ own investment budget has been recouped.
• Thereafter, 50% of the revenue is paid to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy until the Ministry’s loan has been repaid in full.
• If the fund continues to generate revenue streams, these additional returns are again shared in an 80%-20% ratio between the business angels and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy.

A fund has an investment period up to 6 years, followed by a divestment period up to 6 years. After the investment period, follow-on investments in existing portfolio companies are still possible. Should the results be disappointing, the government may, under certain conditions, write off the outstanding amount of the loan at the end of the fund’s term.

Managing your fund

Have you already set up a Seed Fund? You can manage your fund(s) online. Among other things, you can submit applications for (new) investments, report changes and submit reports. You will need eHerkenning level 2+ for this.

• Manage your fund(s)