‘Groeifonds’ application MedTechNL to next phase

The ‘Groeifonds’ (Growth Fund) application from MedTechNL has been selected for further elaboration. Of the 243 submitted pre-applications for the National Groeifonds, 28 proposals were selected. These proposals will have the opportunity to submit a detailed Groeifonds application in the coming months. In the coming months, MedTechNL will be actively supported by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate and the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports. The ministries must submit their proposals to the Groeifonds by 31 October at the latest.

Within MedTechNL, UMCs and other hospitals, technical universities, universities of applied sciences, the business community and health funds are working on a Groeifonds application via the regional health & technology ecosystems, including Medical Delta. With the intended investment, they want to boost medical-technological research and innovation in the Netherlands. This improves the earning capacity of the Dutch business community and strengthens the international economic position of the medtech sector. With investments from the Groeifonds, the Netherlands can position itself even better as an international pioneer of medtech innovations. In addition, this is good for the patient and healthcare in general.

The future of care also lies outside the hospital

Earlier this year, as part of the KIA Key Technologies of the HTSM top sector, the MedTechNL Widely Supported Program was approved and MedTechNL submitted a pre-application for the National Groeifonds (2nd tranche). The activities in the application focus on three pillars: prevention and early diagnosis, treatment with minimal damage, and monitoring and treatment in one's own living environment. These program lines are inspired by the idea that the future of health and care lies mainly outside the hospital and puts people first. Within these program lines, doctors, scientists and companies write applications for the Groeifonds together with statements of support from many other stakeholders.

With the National Groeifonds, the Dutch government is investing €20 billion in projects that ensure long-term economic growth. It concerns targeted investments in three areas with the most opportunities for structural and sustainable economic growth: knowledge development; research, development and innovation; and infrastructure. The National Groeifonds is an initiative of the (outgoing) cabinet. The Ministries of Finance and Economic Affairs and Climate jointly manage the fund on behalf of the cabinet. An independent committee has been set up to assess the projects and give advice. Before the proposals are forwarded to the committee for advice, a procedural test takes place. The cabinet ultimately decides whether money is allocated to projects.

For more information about the National Groeifonds, click here (Dutch only)