LIOF

LIOF describes itself as the regional development agency of the Province of Limburg, responsible for strengthening the economic structure of the province, and as one of a group of regional development companies operating across the Netherlands. Legally it is NV LIOF, a company under Dutch law whose shares are held half by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and half by the Province of Limburg, with both shareholders deciding on an equal footing. It states that it works without commercial interests and that its services are provided free of charge. Its work runs in three strands. It provides money, from grants and loans through to equity investment, to companies at every stage from first idea to expansion, including takeovers and business successions. It gives advice on turning an idea into a business plan and on preparing that plan for financing. And it opens up its regional and cross border network, including help for companies entering export markets. LIOF also works with entrepreneurs who want to establish themselves in Limburg, and employs people on foreign investment and an international team. Its stated themes are energy, circularity, health and digitalisation, and its teams cover participations and financing, business development, transitions, and the valorisation of Einstein Telescope research.