FAQ

SecFund is an initiative of the Ministry of Defence that provides early-stage funding to Dutch startups, scale-ups, and innovative SMEs. The fund focuses on dual-use technologies with both civilian and military applications. The fund is managed by the Brabant Development Agency (BOM) in collaboration with ROM Nederland and all regional development agencies. For an overview, click here.

SecFund invests between €150,000 and a maximum of €5 million per company. This capital is intended to help companies develop and scale their dual-use technologies.

Please note: SecFund can only co-invest with private investors on identical terms, aiming to finance up to 50% of the total investment need through SecFund and other public resources. Therefore, the total investment requirement of your company can be greater than 5 million euros.

The fund is operated by the nine regional development agencies united in ROM Nederland. These organizations provide the appropriate guidance and support to the companies who receive funding.  The fund therefore has nationwide coverage. The Brabant Development Agency (BOM) manages the fund on behalf of the regional development agencies.

The following criteria apply to qualiify for funding:

1. The company is a startup, scale-up, or (innovative) SME.
2. The company is developing an innovative dual-use technology.
3. The company's headquarters are legally and physically based in the Netherlands.
4. The funding requirement from SecFund is a maximum of €5 million.
5. The company has no relationship with so-called ‘high-risk countries’. Co-investors, subsidiaries, founders, shareholders, directors, employees, interns, freelancers, or seconded personnel must not be involved in criminal activities or be part of a terrorist organization or appear on sanctions lists.

SecFund is open. You can submit an investment application. Read the instructions or go directly to submit investment application. Need help? Then contact the Regional Development Agency in your province.

In addition to funding, SecFund provides access to a broad network of experts and partners. You can receive guidance from the ROMs at every step of the innovation process, from product development to market introduction and scaling.

Yes, you can apply for funding multiple times, as long as you meet the criteria and the technology remains relevant to the innovation needs of Defence.

All relevant information can be found here on the website. You can also visit the website of one of the regional development agencies. They can provide general information and assist you further.

Dual-use solutions are technologies or products that can be used for both civilian and military applications. This means the same technology can contribute to the safety and efficiency of both civilian and defense-related activities.

SecFund follows the current guidelines of the European Investment Bank (EIB) for investing in dual-use technologies:
“Investing in a safe and secure Europe by supporting dual-use products, services, and technologies that benefit both civilian purposes and law enforcement or military applications, with a clear market opportunity.”

The following criteria apply to qualiify for funding:

1. The company is a startup, scale-up, or (innovative) SME.
2. The company is developing an innovative dual-use technology.
3. The company's headquarters are legally and physically based in the Netherlands.
4. The funding requirement from SecFund is a maximum of €5 million.
5. The company has no relationship with so-called ‘high-risk countries’. Co-investors, subsidiaries, founders, shareholders, directors, employees, interns, freelancers, or seconded personnel must not be involved in criminal activities or be part of a terrorist organization or appear on sanctions lists.

The fund is operated by the nine regional development agencies united in ROM Nederland. These organizations provide the appropriate guidance and support to the companies who receive funding.  The fund therefore has nationwide coverage. The Brabant Development Agency (BOM) manages the fund on behalf of the regional development agencies.

The following criteria apply to qualiify for funding:

1. The company is a startup, scale-up, or (innovative) SME.
2. The company is developing an innovative dual-use technology.
3. The company's headquarters are legally and physically based in the Netherlands.
4. The funding requirement from SecFund is a maximum of €5 million.
5. The company has no relationship with so-called ‘high-risk countries’. Co-investors, subsidiaries, founders, shareholders, directors, employees, interns, freelancers, or seconded personnel must not be involved in criminal activities or be part of a terrorist organization or appear on sanctions lists.

In addition to funding, SecFund provides access to a broad network of experts and partners. You can receive guidance from the ROMs at every step of the innovation process, from product development to market introduction and scaling.

SecFund invests between €150,000 and a maximum of €5 million per company. This capital is intended to help companies develop and scale their dual-use technologies.

Please note: SecFund can only co-invest with private investors on identical terms, aiming to finance up to 50% of the total investment need through SecFund and other public resources. Therefore, the total investment requirement of your company can be greater than 5 million euros.

The following criteria apply to qualiify for funding:

1. The company is a startup, scale-up, or (innovative) SME.
2. The company is developing an innovative dual-use technology.
3. The company's headquarters are legally and physically based in the Netherlands.
4. The funding requirement from SecFund is a maximum of €5 million.
5. The company has no relationship with so-called ‘high-risk countries’. Co-investors, subsidiaries, founders, shareholders, directors, employees, interns, freelancers, or seconded personnel must not be involved in criminal activities or be part of a terrorist organization or appear on sanctions lists.

SecFund is open. You can submit an investment application. Read the instructions or go directly to submit investment application. Need help? Then contact the Regional Development Agency in your province.

After submitting your application, it will be assessed by a team of experts to determine whether you qualify for funding. This process may take a few weeks. See also ‘The Application and Investment Process Explained in Five Steps.’

In addition to funding, SecFund provides access to a broad network of experts and partners. You can receive guidance from the ROMs at every step of the innovation process, from product development to market introduction and scaling.

Yes, you can apply for funding multiple times, as long as you meet the criteria and the technology remains relevant to the innovation needs of Defence.

All relevant information can be found here on the website. You can also visit the website of one of the regional development agencies. They can provide general information and assist you further.

The Vifo Act (Investment, Mergers and Acquisitions Security Screening Act) is a Dutch law that came into effect on June 1, 2023.
The purpose of the Vifo Act is to establish rules to manage risks to national security arising from certain acquisition activities, such as investments and mergers. In summary, acquisition activities that may pose a risk to national security mainly involve the following three risks:

• the emergence of undesirable strategic dependencies,
• the disruption of the continuity of vital processes, or
• the compromise of the integrity and exclusivity of knowledge and information.

To protect national security, this law introduces a screening mechanism for acquisition activities that result in changes in control over vital providers or changes in control over, or the acquisition or increase of significant influence on, companies that possess sensitive technology.

The law applies to both domestic and foreign investors who seek to gain control over Dutch companies operating in vital sectors or sensitive technologies. This includes areas such as energy, telecommunications, ports, water management, and companies developing advanced technologies like AI, semiconductors, or military applications.

If your startup or scale-up operates in a sector considered vital or works with sensitive technologies (such as AI, cybersecurity, quantum, drones, or semiconductors), the Vifo Act may apply to you. When raising growth capital that gives an investor control, you may be required to submit a notification.

SecFund contributes to strengthening the national security and strategic autonomy of the Netherlands by providing early-stage financing to innovative companies in the Netherlands that develop dual-use solutions—technologies or products that can be used for both civilian and military applications.

As a result, there is a high likelihood that an investment by SecFund will at some point fall under the scope of the Investment, Mergers and Acquisitions Security Screening Act (Vifo Act). The Vifo Act governs the screening of investors (note: both Dutch and foreign investors) in companies active in so-called sensitive technologies.

Check the flowchart (currently available in Dutch only) and find out whether the proposed investment is subject to assessment under the Vifo Act. 

If in doubt, it’s best to seek advice—either through your legal advisor or by contacting the Bureau for Investment Screening (BTI). BTI can be reached on weekdays at +31 (0)70 – 379 86 80. You can also send an email to bureautoetsinginvesteringen@minezk.nl or complete and submit the contact form on the BTI website. Being proactive helps prevent delays or legal risks later in the process.

If a transaction falls within the scope of the Vifo Act, it must be reported in advance to the Bureau for Investment Screening (BTI).
This bureau assesses whether the investment, merger, or acquisition poses risks to national security. Without approval, the transaction cannot be completed. Therefore, you must submit a notification before the investment proceeds. A notification can be made via an online reporting form on the BTI website.

The notification procedure takes an average of 8 weeks but may take longer if an in-depth review is required. It is therefore advisable to start considering now whether you fall under the Vifo Act if you operate in the field of sensitive or highly sensitive technology.