Investor Readiness Programme 2022

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:

Two full days of masterclasses given by financial experts, financiers and experienced entrepreneurs;
1-on-1 guidance by a financial expert; and,
a pitch to a group of financiers, including impact investors and venture capital funds.

Masterclasses

Friday, October 21 - Masterclass day 1

Exploration of the financial landscape for water technology companies
Examination of different types of financing options
Do’s and Don’ts when looking for financing
Creating a viable financial proposition

Thursday, November 3 - Masterclass day 2

Preparing your pitch
Preparing for equity negotiations
What to look out for regarding term sheets and contracts

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:

Must be registered in the Dutch Commercial Register (KVK Handelsregister);
Must be a start-up or early scale-up;
Must be active in water technology;
Must have a specific financing need which they can work on during the programme.

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. Deadline is Friday 23 September. After registration, an interview with the project leader of the Programme will follow, after which participants will be informed whether they can participate in the Programme.

If you are interested in participating in the Investor Readiness Programme but still have questions, or if you would like to become a partner, please reach out to NWP Project Officer for Finance for Water, Lisanne Evenhuis via email.