Innovation cover

Key technologies

Governments around the world are increasingly focusing on technological autonomy. Not only to strengthen economic clout, but also to reduce strategic dependencies in an increasingly competitive world order. In the United States, China, and Europe, this is translating into active industrial policy: targeted support for areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum technology, semiconductors, and advanced materials—technologies that are important for both competitiveness and national security.
The Netherlands is no exception. Our country has a strong technological foundation: universities, research institutes, and innovative companies are developing applications that are internationally relevant. Technologies such as photonics, quantum chips, smart production software, and biomolecular and cell technologies not only form the basis for future earning capacity, but are also important for societal transitions in the areas of energy, health, and digitization.
But there is an important phase between technological breakthrough and commercial development. Promising startups and scale-ups encounter a problem in this phase of scaling up: the lack of suitable financing. Promising startups and scale-ups encounter a problem at this stage of scaling up: the lack of suitable financing. This is not due to a lack of potential, but because traditional financiers consider this phase—in which sales and cash flow are still uncertain—too risky. This can lead to a delay in scaling up production, market launches being postponed, and export potential remaining untapped.
To break this deadlock, the Dutch government is developing a new instrument with Atradius Dutch State Business (DSB): Innovation Coverage. The focus is on companies that are active in one of the key technologies from the National Technology Strategy (NTS) and are in the phase where market maturity is within reach, but financing is lacking.

Purpose and operation of the Innovation Cover

The Innovation Cover is intended to enable commercial financiers to provide the necessary capital to Dutch companies active in these technologies by assuming a significant portion of the credit risk through insurance. This insurance, under which the Dutch state assumes up to 80% of the risk, can persuade financiers to grant relatively risky loans or to make larger amounts available than would have been possible without the cover provided by Atradius DSB.
This innovation is not a generic support instrument, but a targeted intervention at the intersection of technology, capital, and international positioning. It is an instrument that enables Dutch companies to bring strategic technologies to market more quickly, thereby increasing the economic and geopolitical resilience of the Netherlands. The financing does not have to be linked to a specific export transaction, but must involve investments in the Dutch company itself that will lead to exports in the future. This distinguishes Innovation Cover from traditional export credit insurance. The business case must clearly demonstrate future export potential. With this insurance, Atradius DSB can contribute to access to capital for companies with strategically relevant technology in a scaling-up phase.

Positioning within the financing landscape

Innovation coverage complements existing public and private financing instruments. The insurance specifically targets situations in which the market risk is still considered too high, despite strong technology and clear export ambitions. By applying risk sharing, it becomes possible to secure private investments in strategic technologies.

Who is this relevant for?

The scheme is intended for Dutch technology companies in key technologies that are in the final phase before market introduction. The technology must be technically and commercially ready (TRL 8 or 9). Innovation Coverage is relevant for companies that already export, or expect to do so in the foreseeable future, but are currently encountering obstacles in obtaining suitable investment financing for the next step.

Status and next steps

Innovation Cover is currently in the development phase. The first applications are expected to be processed at the end of 2025. Once the insurance product is ready, active communication with market parties and relevant financiers will follow.
Is your company active in a key technology—or do you expect to be in the future? Then take a look at our product page, where you will also find a contact form. If you fill it in, we can keep you informed of developments.