Conditions for proposing your own expert as an Innovation Broker

As a high-tech SME, you can propose your own expert as an Innovation Broker. Holland High Tech also known as the Top Sector High Tech Systems and Materials with its associated TKI HTSM, will assess whether this Innovation Broker qualifies as an expert in the desired innovation support field.

After submitting the online application form, the SME must send a quotation and at least two references from the expert they wish to propose as an Innovation Broker to: Daniëlle Kroonenburg.

To assess the quality of the expert's services as a potential Innovation Broker, at least two comparable activities must be provided as references by the expert. These references should confirm that the expert has experience in supporting SMEs in the field of innovation and may include: 

• The name of the SME
• A brief description of the provided support 

The reference may be a simple statement, for example, via email or in a document. 

Conditions

The minimum requirements for the quotation and the hiring of an expert as an Innovation Broker are:

• The name of the company and the expert you wish to hire. 
  The expert may be a self-employed professional, a partner in a general partnership (VOF), or an employee of a limited liability company (BV). The company must be registered with the Chamber of Commerce.
• The expert proposed as an Innovation Broker must not have had financial involvement with or worked for the applicant in the last five years. This includes roles such as co-working foreman, interim positions, sales support, etc. An Innovation Broker is a service provider who is temporarily involved based on their specific expertise, knowledge, and/or network.
• The assignment description must include the main activities, broken down into sub-activities with corresponding estimated hours. In the final report, it will be requested whether all sub-activities were completed and the reasons for any deviations. 
• Quotation amount: Eligible costs are the costs associated with an innovation service. These costs consist of the expert's hours multiplied by the hourly rate. The hourly rate must be market-conforming, with a maximum of €120 per hour (including VAT). 
  The total amount invoiced by the expert to the SME must be pre-financed by the SME. After the activities are completed, invoiced, and paid (by the SME) to the expert, the SME can submit a reimbursement claim to Holland High Tech for the approved subsidy amount. Holland High Tech reimburses up to 80% of the expert's costs as an Innovation Broker, with a maximum subsidy amount of €10,000 (including VAT). We aim for payment within 30 working days. 

After Submission

Approval/Rejection

• It is not possible to appeal a negative decision by Holland High Tech. 
• Holland High Tech does not accept any liability for the rejection of the requested support. 
• Holland High Tech aims to provide a decision on your application within three weeks. 

Reimbursement for Your Own Expert as an Innovation Broker

• Costs are only eligible for subsidy from the moment Holland High Tech has approved the application in writing. 
• Activities can start from December 26, 2024, and must be completed by December 25, 2025; the start date can be retroactive if the application is ultimately approved (starting without approval after this date is at your own risk). 
• Holland High Tech is not responsible for the quality of services provided by the proposed expert; if the applicant (SME) is dissatisfied with the execution of the expert's work, the applicant (SME) must inform Holland High Tech as soon as possible. 
• Deviations from the quotation are only allowed if it involves "less work" (i.e., a certain part of the quotation could not be carried out). 

Payment

• Advance payments for reimbursement of the expert as an Innovation Broker are not possible. 
• After completing the expert's activities, the applicant must submit a report outlining the activities performed and confirming whether they were carried out according to the quotation. The SME must sign a performance declaration. Holland High Tech will provide templates for this, which will be sent with the approval letter. 
• In addition to this report, the applicant must submit the expert's invoice and a bank statement as proof of execution and payment. These three documents form the subsidy claim. 
• The reimbursement payment will be made to the SME if the SME proposes their own expert as an Innovation Broker. 
• The costs for the expert will be reimbursed within 30 working days after the assignment is completed and the performance declaration and subsidy claim are approved by Holland High Tech, and after receiving an accountability invoice from the applicant. 
• Holland High Tech will reimburse costs if they fall within the regulation and under Article 3.3.3 of the National EZ Subsidy Regulations. 
• Parties acknowledge and accept that the reimbursement for such guidance is made possible by the Ministry of Economic Affairs. Holland High Tech will submit a final accountability report to RVO and bundle all submitted reports and invoices from experts, Innovation Brokers, and SMEs. 
• If the proposed Innovation Broker or the SME, in Holland High Tech's or RVO's judgment, has misused the granted subsidy or failed to account for the project properly, Holland High Tech will reclaim the disbursed funds from the SME. 

Communication and Promotional Statements

• The proposed expert as an Innovation Broker and the SME must explicitly state that Holland High Tech facilitates the engagement of the expert as an Innovation Broker. The role of Holland High Tech must be acknowledged in all communications, for example, by using the following text (in emails, for example): "The engagement of the Innovation Broker is co-funded by the MIT subsidy scheme of Holland High Tech." 
• The SME and the expert must provide text and images in the final report that Holland High Tech can use for communication and promotional purposes. Guidelines will be given in the templates provided by Holland High Tech. 
• The expert and the SME guarantee that Holland High Tech can use the provided final report without infringing on third-party rights.