Sometimes You Need to Zoom Out. 🏔️

Exactly one week after Prinsjesdag.

Maybe a little late.

But sometimes you need to zoom out to see the bigger picture.

Last week, I was standing on this bridge in Finland while the drone kept moving further and further away.

And that’s actually exactly how I’m looking at Prinsjesdag now.

Because what do all those billions and plans actually mean for entrepreneurs?

There are definitely some positive developments.

The government is allocating €3.3 billion to a National Investment Institution, with the aim of giving growing companies that struggle to secure financing better access to capital.

Another €500 million is being made available for disruptive innovation, and the government wants to take on the role of first customer for innovative companies more often.

That last part is interesting to me.

Because innovation doesn’t just need money.

It also needs someone to be the first to say:

I believe in it. I’m going to buy it.

For innovative SMEs, the Innovation Box is also being expanded from €25,000 to €100,000. The Energy Investment Allowance is also set to increase from 40% to 45%.

So companies investing in technology, innovation or energy efficiency get more fiscal room.

But there’s another side to the story.

The self-employed deduction is set to fall further to €900 in 2027. The start-up deduction is then proposed to be reduced further to €10 in 2027 and €0 in 2028.

And perhaps even more important than taxes:

Entrepreneurs can only invest when they know what they’re investing into.

No electricity connection means no new factory.

A permit that takes years means no new project.

Rules that keep changing mean you postpone investments.

The government itself identifies grid congestion, regulatory pressure and slow permit processes as important barriers to investment.

And that’s the bigger picture.

We can make billions available for growth.

But money alone doesn’t create growth.

Growth happens when an entrepreneur has the confidence to hire someone.

Open a new location.

Invest in AI.

Develop a new product.

Or simply say:

We’re going for it.

The government can build the bridge.

But entrepreneurs still have to cross it.

So yes, exactly one week late with my Prinsjesdag post.

But maybe I first had to literally zoom out to see what it’s really about. 😏

🎥 Outspire – Creativity Hikes