Small businesses across the Netherlands are set to get a boost, as Qredits secures a €40 million loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB), announced with backing from the InvestEU program and the Dutch government. This support aims to help nearly 1,800 tiny companies—including one-person start-ups, micro-enterprises, and those new to the market—find funding that normal banks often won’t offer. Retailers, restaurants, and construction firms stand to benefit most from the new round of financing.
A big part of this deal comes from a state guarantee for half the loan provided by the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, while the rest is supported by InvestEU, the European Commission’s push for jobs and social investing. Qredits is known for helping small firms in need of business loans, and this new money lets them keep the doors open for ambitious ideas right across the country.
EIB’s Jean-Christophe Laloux put the importance plainly: “Micro companies are very important not only for the economy but also in our social fabric. They face real barriers getting financing, so our support for Qredits, especially now when times are tough, is about making sure small businesses can keep growing.” Vincent Karremans from the Dutch government echoed this: “Qredits helps turn good ideas into reality, supporting entrepreneurs who strengthen local economies.”
Getting a loan can be tough for small businesses with little history. By growing Qredits’ reach, EIB hopes to bridge that gap and fuel local growth. Qredits CEO Marco Smit called the new support a real chance to make an impact: “Small companies are the lifeblood of our economy. Now, together, we can help thousands more set up shop and flourish.”
