The 1994 Research and Development Promotion Act (Wet Bevordering Speur-en Ontwikkelingswerk - WBSO) allows the state to allocate funds to advanced research companies. The state partially compensates for the costs of research and development work (R&D). Innovation support can offset both employee salaries and other R&D-related expenses, and last year saw a record amount of funding for such support.
On September 15, 2022, the Minister of Economy and Climate Policy of the Netherlands, Micky Adriaansens, published report on WBSO performance for 2021. Over 20.000 Dutch companies received more than 7,8 billion euros for R&D. 97% of companies that received state support belong to the categories of small and medium-sized businesses - such companies managed to save 1,4 billion euros on development. Minister Andreasens said that in today's conditions, the rapid implementation of innovative ideas into real business is extremely important: this preserves the economic potential and brings the country to the forefront in the world. The Netherlands does indeed have major successes in innovation: for example, The country is in the top three in terms of digitalization.
In 2021, about 139 projects received assistance under the WBSO law, which is 000% more than in 3. Of the total state spending (2020 billion euros), 7,8 billion went to the salaries of specialists, and 4,6 billion - to other expenses related to innovation. The amount allocated in 3,2 under the WBSO law exceeded the amount of R&D funding in 2021 by 500 million euros. Research funding has helped maintain and create 2020 jobs with high, stable wages. The Dutch Enterprise Agency (Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend - RVO) implements the WBSO innovation financing scheme on behalf of the Dutch government.
The report also contains real examples of successful innovative developments. Delft-based Venturi, for example, has received funding to develop an all-electric aircraft, and Qlayers, a startup, has received funding to develop robots for painting large surfaces with special paint. In addition to the purely economic benefits, these projects are good for the environment: electric planes will not emit carbon dioxide, and the Qlayers paint, designed similarly to sharkskin, reduces friction with water and air, resulting in windmills producing more energy and cars emitting atmosphere is less carbon dioxide.
Nalog.nl can help with paperwork and apply to RVO for financial support for innovation. Seek advice to our experts!
Publication Date: 14.10.2022
