The East Netherlands Development Agency (Oost NL) supports you as an entrepreneur (interested) in our region. Whether you’re considering locating to the East of the Netherlands or have existing operations here, Oost NL assists you at every stage with free and confidential services. We are committed to help you to grow your business.

2xlarge_autocraft_Mike en Peter.JPG

3xlarge_autocraft_Mike en Peter.JPG

large_autocraft_Mike en Peter.JPG

medium_autocraft_Mike en Peter.JPG

small_autocraft_Mike en Peter.JPG

thumbnail_autocraft_Mike en Peter.JPG

xlarge_autocraft_Mike en Peter.JPG

autocraft_Mike en Peter.JPG

Futuremakers

What can Oost NL do for me?

Where can I establish in East Netherlands?

Why East Netherlands?

How to set up a business in the Netherlands?

Quality of life

Expand your business in East Netherlands

center

Get in touch with us

Discover why East Netherlands is the perfect base for your business. In the video, our colleague explains how we support international companies with a smooth and successful start.
Want to know how we can help you? Click on the button below and answer a few short questions &mdash; we&rsquo;ll guide you to the right support and contact person.

Setting up your business in East Netherlands

Nefit Bosch's story

2xlarge_eb241029 bosch nefit10k (1).jpg

3xlarge_eb241029 bosch nefit10k (1).jpg

large_eb241029 bosch nefit10k (1).jpg

medium_eb241029 bosch nefit10k (1).jpg

small_eb241029 bosch nefit10k (1).jpg

thumbnail_eb241029 bosch nefit10k (1).jpg

xlarge_eb241029 bosch nefit10k (1).jpg

eb241029 bosch nefit10k (1).jpg

Success story 

Food

Tech

Energy

Health

The key industries of our region

The Arnhem office will serve as Novare&rsquo;s European hub &ndash; connecting Dutch, European, and global investors and companies with opportunities across Africa, while fostering partnerships that bring innovation and investment back into the Netherlands.
<h2>Driving investment across Africa</h2>
Novare Europe focuses on real estate, infrastructure, renewable energy, critical minerals, fintech, and private equity. Its vision is to be the leading provider of investment solutions in Africa, delivering strong returns, creating long-term value for investors, and generating tangible benefits for the local communities in which it operates.
<img src="https://media.oostnl.nl/Novare_2_12eaece21a.jpg" alt="Novare 2.jpg">Novare invests in sustainable shopping centers in countries such as Nigeria and Zambia. The company hopes to make the shopping centers even more sustainable with Dutch innovations and investments.
<h2>Why Arnhem?</h2>
&ldquo;The Gelderland region and Arnhem offer exceptional connectivity to global markets and a strong ecosystem for growth, especially in battery storage, renewable energy &amp; smart energy systems,&rdquo; said Anton van der Vijver, Managing Director of Novare Europe. &ldquo;Our presence here enables close collaboration with our Dutch partners who share our vision for Africa as a driver of global growth.&rdquo;
<blockquote>
The Gelderland region and Arnhem offer exceptional connectivity to global markets and a strong ecosystem for growth, especially in battery storage, renewable energy &amp; smart energy systems.
</blockquote>
Novare selected Arnhem following an Oost NL visit to South Africa and a review of potential Dutch locations. Arnhem stood out for its concentration of companies active in the energy transition and critical minerals recycling sectors. The NFIA network provided a soft landing, while Oost NL offered regional expertise and connections to ensure a smooth market entry.
<img src="https://media.oostnl.nl/Novare_8b06c473cc.jpg" alt="Novare.jpg">
From left to right:&nbsp;Shaakir Yacoob (NFIA) &ndash; Mark Reijneker (NFIA) &ndash; Olaotse Leepile (Novare) &ndash; Bram Geertsema (Oost NL) &ndash; Anton van der Vijver (Novare)
<h2>Two-way impact</h2>
&ldquo;Novare&rsquo;s arrival creates a two-way bridge,&rdquo; said Bram Geertsema, Tech &amp; Energy Advisor at Oost NL. &ldquo;On one hand, Dutch businesses gain access to high-growth African markets; on the other, Novare brings international innovations and significant African and global expertise to the Netherlands.&rdquo;
One project under exploration is a recycling technology facility to recover critical materials from batteries and magnets &ndash; supporting both European sustainability goals and Africa&rsquo;s industrial development. This follows Novare Group&rsquo;s recently announced investment in ReElement Technologies, an American company developing advanced purification and separation technology. These strategic partnerships and collaborations unite Dutch-European, American, and African companies, creating mutual benefits across regions to all stakeholders, according to Van der Vijver.
<h2>Growth ambitions</h2>
Novare Europe plans to expand its Arnhem team to around 10 people within three years, solidifying its role as a connector between Dutch and African markets.

More information

Novare Group, a leading South African investment company, has officially opened its European office in Arnhem. Supported by Oost NL and the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA), this move marks a major milestone in Novare’s 25-year history, strengthening trade and investment links between the Netherlands and Africa’s most dynamic growth sectors.

Novare Group opens European office in Arnhem

Novare Group opens European office in Arnhem to bridge Dutch investments with high-growth African markets

&ldquo;By connecting companies, knowledge institutions, and regions, we create better access to talent, facilities, and financing. This gives our chip sector the means to grow faster and structurally strengthen the Dutch economy. The ChipNL Competence Center demonstrates how powerful our national ecosystem is,&rdquo; says Vincent Karremans, Minister of Economic Affairs.
&ldquo;Our goal is to strengthen the Dutch chip sector on an international level while supporting companies of all sizes in their development. The ChipNL Competence Centre is a place where expertise, entrepreneurship, and innovation come together,&rdquo; says Elly Zwartkruis, Managing Director ChipNL Competence Centre.
The ChipNL Competence Centre focuses on technological domains where the Netherlands is leading or has great opportunities, such as:
<ul>
<li>Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment (lithography, etching, metrology)</li>
<li>Chip Design for a wide range of applications (including automotive and medical technology)</li>
<li>Heterogeneous integration &amp; packaging for powerful, compact systems (AI, 5G, etc.)</li>
<li>Photonics and quantum technology, such as chips that use light for data processing or advanced sensor technology.</li>
</ul>
Specifically, the ChipNL Competence Centre focuses on:
<ul>
<li>facilitating access to European pilot lines for testing and validating chip solutions;</li>
<li>developing and utilizing an innovative design platform;</li>
<li>talent programs to strengthen the necessary skills in the sector;</li>
<li>guidance on financing and utilizing networks and partnerships;</li>
<li>increasing the international visibility of Dutch companies and opening doors to new markets.</li>
</ul>
Oost NL is a partner of the ChipNL Competence Centre. Other partners include: Brainport Development, ChipTech Twente, High Tech NL, imec the Netherlands, JePPIX, TNO, Eindhoven University of Technology.
Funding comes from the European Union and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO).
With the ChipNL Competence Centre, the Netherlands is taking an important step towards a strong and internationally competitive semiconductor sector, which makes an essential contribution to the resilience and innovative strength of the European chip industry.
<div class="banner purple">
<div class="text">Want to learn more about the ChipNL Competence Centre?</div>
<a href="https://cccnl.nl/" data-internal-link="eyJpZCI6bnVsbCwic291cmNlQ29udGVudFR5cGVVaWQiOiJhcGk6OnBvc3QucG9zdCIsInNvdXJjZUNvbnRlbnRUeXBlSWQiOjI0OCwic291cmNlRmllbGROYW1lIjoibGluayIsInRhcmdldENvbnRlbnRUeXBlVWlkIjoiIiwidGFyZ2V0Q29udGVudFR5cGVJZCI6bnVsbCwidXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9jY2NubC5ubC8iLCJ0ZXh0IjoiJUVGJUJCJUJGQmV6b2VrJTIwZGUlMjB3ZWJzaXRlIiwidHlwZSI6ImV4dGVybmFsIiwiZG9tYWluIjoiIiwidXJsQWRkaXRpb24iOiIiLCJleHRlcm5hbEFwaUxhYmVsIjoiIiwiZXh0ZXJuYWxBcGlWYWx1ZSI6IiJ9">Visit the website</a></div>
&nbsp;

The ChipNL Competence Centre is officially launched, a powerful driver for the Dutch semiconductor sector. Companies gain direct access to top European infrastructures such as pilot lines and the EU Chips Design Platform and receive an overview of available facilities and initiatives in our country. This makes it easier for start-ups and smaller companies to invest in semiconductor technology.

ChipNL Competence Centre officially launched

As the electrification of industry, transportation, and households accelerates, power grids across Europe are coming under increasing strain. Major investments and new technologies are needed to meet rising electricity demand. &ldquo;Arnhem is the ideal location for us to expand our R&amp;D activities in Europe and help address this challenge,&rdquo; said Taehee Woo, CEO of Hyosung Heavy Industries Europe. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re close to grid operators, research institutes, and industrial partners. This is the perfect place to collaborate on technologies that will make the electricity system more sustainable, reliable, and affordable.&rdquo;
<h2>Technology for the Power Grid of the Future</h2>
Hyosung is a global leader in high-voltage and grid technology. From the renovated and historic KEMA building&mdash;for decades a hub of excellence in energy research&mdash;the company will develop innovative solutions that are essential for a future-ready electricity grid.
The new R&amp;D Center focuses on three key areas: 
<ul>
<li>Environmentally friendly alternatives to SF₆-based high-voltage switchgear, helping to reduce CO₂ emissions in the energy sector.</li>
<li>HVDC technology (High Voltage Direct Current) for efficient long-distance power transmission and better integration of wind and solar energy.</li>
<li>Digital grid solutions that enhance the stability, flexibility, and resilience of Europe&rsquo;s power infrastructure.</li>
</ul>
These innovations align with Europe&rsquo;s goals for decarbonization, electrification, and grid modernization. With strong ecosystems for renewable generation and smart energy storage, the Eastern Netherlands is well positioned to play a leading role in this transition.
<h2>Strengthening the Innovation Ecosystem and Global Appeal</h2>
Hyosung&rsquo;s decision to establish its European R&amp;D operations in Arnhem was made possible in 2023 through the efforts of Oost NL, City Developer-S, KEMA, Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA), and local partners. They played a key role in attracting the company to the Netherlands and connecting Hyosung to the region&rsquo;s thriving energy innovation ecosystem.
The new R&amp;D Center provides a significant boost to the innovation landscape in the Eastern Netherlands, where dozens of companies, startups, research institutions, and public partners collaborate within the National Expertise Center for Grid Congestion and Connectr to accelerate the energy transition. It also enhances the region&rsquo;s international visibility as a hotspot for energy innovation.
With the recent multi-million-euro investment from City Developer-S and the Gelderland Perspective Fund, the Electricity Campus is being further expanded. This will create additional space for highly skilled professionals and for testing and demonstration facilities where companies are developing the power grid of tomorrow.
&ldquo;The arrival of Hyosung demonstrates that the Eastern Netherlands is an attractive location for international companies contributing to the energy transition,&rdquo; said Bernold Kemperink of Oost NL. &ldquo;Together, we&rsquo;re creating solutions that strengthen our economy while contributing to a cleaner and more reliable energy supply across Europe.&rdquo;
&ldquo;Hyosung strengthens the profile of our campus,&rdquo; added Thijs van Dieren of Electricity Campus. &ldquo;We aim to create space for companies that actively contribute to the power grid of the future &ndash; a place where they can learn from each other, share knowledge, and collaborate on new solutions. Hyosung has found its natural home in Northwest Europe.&rdquo; <img src="https://media.oostnl.nl/Hyosung_Electricity_Campus_2_d68bbf519f.jpeg" alt="Hyosung Electricity Campus 2.jpeg"> 
<h2>A New Impulse for Innovation and Collaboration</h2>
The opening ceremony was attended by representatives from Hyosung, European grid operators, market players, and policymakers. During the &ldquo;Future-Ready Grids&rdquo; panel discussion, experts explored how technology can help create a cleaner and more affordable electricity grid. In the following days, Hyosung experts will lead technical sessions on HVDC, digital substations, and next-generation switchgear technologies.
&nbsp;

South Korean technology company Hyosung Heavy Industries today officially opened its new Europe R&D Center at the Electricity Campus (the former KEMA site in Arnhem). With this strategic investment, the company strengthens its role in developing technologies that will power Europe’s electricity grid of the future.

South Korea’s Hyosung Opens European R&D Center 

South Korea’s Hyosung Opens European R&D Center at the Electricity Campus in Arnhem: “Building the Power Grid of the Future”

Latest news

Fi Europe unites the world's leading food & beverage suppliers, buyers, R&D experts and production specialists all under one roof.

Fi Europe 2025

Events

Our team

Would you like to learn more about how we can support you in accelerating the market launch of your innovations? Oost NL offers funding, networks, and expertise.

Futuremakers

Expand your business in East Netherlands

What can Oost NL do for me?

Where can I establish in East Netherlands?

What can Oost NL do for me?

Where can I establish in East Netherlands?

Why East Netherlands?

How to set up a business in the Netherlands?

Quality of life

Why East Netherlands?

How to set up a business in the Netherlands?

Quality of life

Setting up your business in East Netherlands

Success story

The key industries of our region

Food

Tech

Food

Tech

Energy

Health

Energy

Health

Latest news

Novare Group opens European office in Arnhem to bridge Dutch investments with high-growth African markets

ChipNL Competence Centre officially launched

South Korea’s Hyosung Opens European R&D Center at the Electricity Campus in Arnhem: “Building the Power Grid of the Future”

Events

Fi Europe 2025

Contact us

Contact us

Call us