Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland (RVO)
The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) is a Dutch government agency that helps entrepreneurs and organisations invest, develop, and expand their businesses and projects in the Netherlands and abroad. It is part of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, but works for nearly all ministries, decentralised authorities, and the EU. RVO supports a broad audience, including entrepreneurs, NGOs, knowledge institutes, policymakers, and other organisations. Its role combines policy implementation, advice, funding access, and network facilitation, with a strong emphasis on helping clients move forward in sustainability, innovation, international business, and development-related projects. RVO positions itself as a practical public-sector partner: it offers schemes, subsidies, advice, events, trade missions, and international connections, and says it aims to provide clear expectations and good service throughout the process. Core Values Service and accessibility : RVO emphasises clear expectations, responsiveness, and a customer promise focused on connecting people with the right person and helping them achieve their goals. Sustainability : The agency repeatedly frames its work around building a more sustainable society, supporting carbon reduction, circularity, energy transition, and responsible business conduct. Innovation : RVO supports research, development, and innovation through tax credits, grants, and advisory services that help ideas move toward market introduction. International cooperation : It promotes cross-border business and development through networks, trade missions, and programmes that support international expansion and collaboration. Unique Aspects Large public-sector reach : RVO says it has over 6,000 employees and assists more than 200,000 entrepreneurs each year, giving it unusually broad operational scale for a government agency. Cross-ministerial mandate : Although part of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, RVO works for nearly all Dutch ministries, decentralised authorities, and the EU, which gives it a wide implementation role across policy areas. International network facilitator : Beyond funding, RVO actively connects companies with partners abroad and supports international market entry through trade missions, events, and global networks. Programme breadth across sectors : Its portfolio spans innovation, energy and climate, urban development, agriculture, fisheries, international business, and development cooperation, making it a multi-sector public support platform rather than a single-purpose agency.