Innovation vouchers

The province of North Holland is making innovation vouchers available with which SME and mid-cap companies (with a company size of up to 499 employees) can easily start an innovation project at the North Holland field labs, including Techport. The purpose of the vouchers is to help companies innovate with new and digital technologies.

Three types of vouchers are available:

Inventory voucher worth € 5,000:
Together with experts, inventory the most promising opportunities of smart & digital technologies for your company.

Feasibility voucher worth € 10,000: In a feasibility study, you and experts determine the expectation and scope of your idea and its (technological) feasibility is examined.

Pilot voucher worth max € 50,000: This voucher is intended to carry out pilot projects in the field of digitization. To make use of this voucher, you as a company invest yourself and the voucher works as a doubler. The value of the voucher is up to € 50,000.

For whom.

The Techport vouchers are intended for SME or mid-cap companies in the machine and equipment construction sector or related manufacturing companies, established and/or active in North Holland. Would you like to know more about the possibilities of digitization? Do you have a (research) question or challenge in the field of new technology or do you want to test or apply an innovative solution (possibly together with partners)? Then you can apply for a voucher for (part of) the costs.

What are the conditions?

What is the procedure?

Inventarisatievoucher
Aanvraag

  1. Check whether you meet the SME or mid-cap conditions :(Explanatory flowchart Omvangsverklaring / MKB verklaring (kansenvoorwest.nl) and whether the company has not exceeded the state aid limit, through the deminimus declaration(https://kvw3.kansenvoorwest.nl/files/verklaring-de-minimissteun-2024.docx).
  2. By mail you request the voucher from Techport (mail address: communicatie@techport.nl). In this mail you include the company details (name company, address, website, contact details). Attach a completed size statement and de minimus statement. In the subject line of the mail put "Inventory Voucher" and the name of the company.
  3. Techport's expert committee assesses whether you meet all the requirements and provides feedback.

Project/Execution
4. The inventory scan is conducted through interview(s) and the results of the inventory are compiled by TechValley into a report with a performance statement. This is signed by the applicant.

Feasibility voucher

Request

  1. Check whether you meet the SME or mid-cap conditions :(Explanatory flowchart Omvangsverklaring / MKB verklaring (kansenvoorwest.nl) and whether the company has not exceeded the state aid limit, through the deminimus declaration(https://kvw3.kansenvoorwest.nl/files/verklaring-de-minimissteun-2024.docx).
  2. Via email you request the voucher from Techport (email address: communicatie@techport.nl). In this email you include the company details (name company, size, address, website, contact details) and a brief description of the issue for which you want to do a feasibility study. You attach a completed size statement and de minimus statement. In the subject line of the email you put "Feasibility Voucher" and the name of the company.
  3. Techport will contact you to discuss the request. If we can help you further, a proposal will be made for process and implementation.
  4. The application will be checked for completeness and content by Techport.
  5. Upon approval, you will receive confirmation of award.

Pathway/implementation

6. The feasibility study will be conducted.

7. After execution, you will receive the examination report with performance statement. This is signed by the applicant.

Pilot voucher

With a pilot voucher, the company itself invests 50% of the required amount. The voucher represents the other 50%, up to a maximum of €50,000.

Request

  1. Check whether you meet the SME or mid-cap conditions :(Explanatory flowchart Omvangsverklaring / MKB verklaring (kansenvoorwest.nl) and whether the company has not exceeded the state aid limit, through the deminimus declaration(https://kvw3.kansenvoorwest.nl/files/verklaring-de-minimissteun-2024.docx).
  2. You contact Techport via email to review your idea for a pilot project. In this email you include company details (company name, size, address, website, contact details, number of employees and turnover) and a description of the pilot research you want to do. In the subject line you put "Pilot Voucher" and the name of the company. You include a completed and signed size statement and de minimus statement.
  3. Techport will discuss the project plan and its budget with you and review it for content.
  4. The application is submitted and reviewed by the expert committee and Opportunities for West for content and budget.
  5. Once approved, you will receive confirmation of award and sign the application for approval.

Implementation

  • The project is being implemented as planned.
  • After execution, you will receive a final report from Techport and a request to sign the performance statement.
  • The applicant then receives an invoice from the field lab for their own contribution (you invest 50% of the required amount yourself, the voucher represents the other 50%, up to a maximum of €50,000).

FAQ

  • Can I also apply for a voucher if I am not located in the province of North Holland?

    Companies outside the province of North Holland can apply for a voucher provided they are active in the province. Please contact Techport for this.
  • What is the end result of a feasibility study?

Techport prepares an investigation report and discusses the conclusions with the applicant. The signing of the performance statement ends the process.

  • What is the end result of a pilot project?

For each pilot project, a plan of action is drawn up with the applicant. This includes the intended results of the project. At the end of the project, a final report is prepared by the fieldlab describing the final result. After the applicant signs the performance statement, the fieldlab starts the application for determination with grant provider Kansen voor West.

Collaboration

This voucher scheme is implemented in cooperation with the three other North Holland field labs:
3dMakerszone, Bouwlab R&Do, TechValley, the European Union, Kansen voor West and Province of North Holland.