Early Phase Financing (VFF) - RVO
Vroegefasefinanciering (VFF)
Interest-bearing loan EUR 50,000-450,000: innovative starters up to EUR 450,000 (100% of costs), small SMEs up to EUR 202,500 (45%), medium SMEs up to EUR 157,500 (35%); interest 7.71% from 1 Sep 2026; repayment starts after 3-5 years. Provided by RVO.
Key facts
- Amount
- Interest-bearing loan EUR 50,000-450,000: innovative starters up to EUR 450,000 (100% of costs), small SMEs up to EUR 202,500 (45%), medium SMEs up to EUR 157,500 (35%); interest 7.71% from 1 Sep 2026; repayment starts after 3-5 years
- Duration
- Project-based
- Type
- Loan
- Who receives it
- Company
- Equity
- Equity-free
- Repayable
- Yes
- Stages
- Prototype, Pre-revenue, Incorporated
- Solo founders
- Yes
- Full-time required
- Unclear
- Company required
- Yes
- University link required
- No
- Application languages
- NL, EN
- Location
- Dutch company; in Friesland, Limburg, Noord-Brabant, Noord-Holland, Utrecht, Zeeland and Zuid-Holland apply via the regional fund instead
Who can apply
- Innovative starter up to 5 years old, SME, or academic/hbo/TO2 starter (via NWO)
- Technological innovation
- Proof-of-principle already reached
- Loan pays for reaching proof-of-concept
- Follow-on investor willing to invest afterwards
What usually blocks applicants
- No committed follow-on investor
- Not technological innovation
- Small national budget (EUR 3M) - first-come, lottery if oversubscribed on one day
- Company in a province with its own regional VFF counter
Deadline and timing
Next deadline: 31 December 2026
Opens: 1 January 2026
Open 1 Jan - 31 Dec 2026 23:59 while budget lasts, first-come; lottery if budget runs out on one day. Academic starter window (1 Jul - 1 Sep 2026) closed. 2027 round not yet announced.
Frequently asked
How much does Early Phase Financing (VFF) - RVO pay?
Interest-bearing loan EUR 50,000-450,000: innovative starters up to EUR 450,000 (100% of costs), small SMEs up to EUR 202,500 (45%), medium SMEs up to EUR 157,500 (35%); interest 7.71% from 1 Sep 2026; repayment starts after 3-5 years
Who can apply for Early Phase Financing (VFF) - RVO?
Innovative starter up to 5 years old, SME, or academic/hbo/TO2 starter (via NWO) Technological innovation Proof-of-principle already reached Loan pays for reaching proof-of-concept Follow-on investor willing to invest afterwards
When is the Early Phase Financing (VFF) - RVO deadline?
Open 1 Jan - 31 Dec 2026 23:59 while budget lasts, first-come; lottery if budget runs out on one day. Academic starter window (1 Jul - 1 Sep 2026) closed. 2027 round not yet announced.
Where do I apply for Early Phase Financing (VFF) - RVO?
On the official page: https://www.rvo.nl/subsidies-financiering/vroegefasefinanciering. Applications are accepted in NL, EN.
Do I have to pay back Early Phase Financing (VFF) - RVO or give up equity?
Yes, it is repayable. It takes no equity.
Can solo founders apply for Early Phase Financing (VFF) - RVO?
Yes, solo founders can apply.
Sources and verification
Checked on 8 October 2026. Facts read directly from the official source. This page is orientation, not an eligibility decision.
More funding in Netherlands
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