BOM invests in scalable startups and scaleups with growth potential and with a strong link to Brabant. We focus on companies engaged the top industries in Brabant. We work with public funds, which is why we sometimes apply conditions that are different to regular funds. Sustainable growth, employment, and an investment’s social impact are important criteria to us.
This entails examining the phase the company is in with respect to its product, market, business model, team, and the associated funding strategy. We distinguish between the customer discovery, customer validation, customer creation, and company building phases.
In our funding strategy we work together with the company to find the right co-investors for the phase in question and to structure the funding in such a manner that, together with other investors, there is sufficient funding to create a runway of at least 12 to 18 months, allowing the company to reach the next phase and providing sufficient time for a follow-up round or to reach the break-even point.
The following criteria apply to all our investments. We also assess further conditions on a company-by-company basis.
Criteria
- The invested sum (capital stock or a subordinated loan or loans) is between 150,00 and 5,000,000 euros. For very early-phase investments convertible loans are used. For the next phase, investment in stock is more common.
- Our stake never exceeds 49 percent (we are a minority shareholder).
- We work with an investment horizon of 3 to 7 years.
- We aim for a return on market terms.
Further information is available at Transactions and Investments glossary on both transactions as well as a brief definition of commonly-used terms.
What do I need to apply for funding?
A 100-page business plan is not an absolute must. The following questions will help to set out your funding application:
- What issue can you solve?
- Who are your (future) customers and are they prepared to pay for your solution?
- Who are you competing against and what do they have to offer?
- What makes your proposal appealing to investors?
- What have you achieved to date?
- What else do you need to achieve success?
Startup Readiness Program
Each year we receive between 600 and 700 funding applications, the large majority of which we reject. The most common reason is because parts of the business case are not up to scratch. If that is the case, you can further develop your plan together with our business developers. You can also join our Ready, Game, Set & Match; our Investor Readiness Program, which will prepare you over the space of ten weeks to submit a promising funding application to BOM or to other financial backers.
BOM also has an extensive range of financiers, each with their own specialist fields and diverse conditions.