Article
NXTGEN Finance:
help with financing questions
NXTGEN Hightech offers various initiatives to stimulate market-oriented development within projects. One of these initiatives is NXTGEN Finance. In this article, we explore with Miriam Dragstra, Chair of NXTGEN Finance, how this initiative can assist project partners with their financing questions.
What is NXTGEN Finance?
"NXTGEN Finance helps project partners with their financing questions at different stages. What don’t we do? We don’t provide funds ourselves, and we’re not a consulting firm. But we do support entrepreneurs with our network and knowledge. Project partners working on realizing their projects often come to us with questions about additional financing. If they can answer these questions with their current financiers, they don’t need us. But when it becomes more challenging, that’s where NXTGEN Finance comes in. We help entrepreneurs refine their questions and guide them towards the right financing enablers, brokers, or corporate finance options. With our extensive network, we primarily open doors, but we don't participate in the negotiations. The entrepreneur always remains in the lead and can of course involve their own contacts. The entrepreneur remains responsible for the further process."
How can NXTGEN Finance help?
"NXTGEN Finance was born out of the need to make financing processes within projects more efficient. When we first started, there were often very unrealistic plans on the table, and historical examples showed that this was not very effective. That's why we began to think about a different approach. Our goal is to support entrepreneurs by helping them as independent advisors without being directly involved in the financing process. Although we can't facilitate the financial arrangements ourselves, we can support them by leveraging our knowledge and network. We assist with brainstorming without having our own interests and provide support where needed."
"We help entrepreneurs refine their questions and guide them towards the right financing enablers."
Miriam Dragstra, Chair NXTGEN Finance
For whom is NXTGEN Finance interesting?
"NXTGEN Finance is interesting for anyone with entrepreneurial-level questions, especially for companies involved in projects and facing financial challenges. These are often start-ups or scale-ups, but in principle, any company is welcome. It’s not necessarily related to the NXTGEN Hightech project, but it must fit within the framework and interest of the program. Participating in the program often makes investments more appealing to potential financiers, regardless of whether NXTGEN Finance is directly involved. We further explore within our network which type of financing best suits the company.”
How does a NXTGEN Finance trajectory work?
"The process within NXTGEN Finance usually begins with a (digital) introductory meeting, where we discuss what the company does, the significance of the project, and the role the company plays in it. Understanding the link with NXTGEN is important, and sometimes a lot becomes clear after the first conversation. After that, it’s essentially a tailored process where we specifically look at what we can do in terms of financing opportunities. This can range from refining a pitch deck to connecting with a potential investor. We ensure that the company can take the next step in the financing process.”
Making use of NXTGEN Finance
Curious about how NXTGEN Finance can assist with your company’s financing needs? Miriam Dragstra is happy to help. Email her directly at miriam.dragstra@nxtgenhightech.nl