boosting impact-driven companies
NoorderImpact provides growth capital and support to impact-driven enterprises. What characterizes these enterprises is the desire to combine entrepreneurship with the wish to make a positive contribution to the world.
boosting impact-driven companies
NoorderImpact provides growth capital and support to impact-driven enterprises. What characterizes these enterprises is the desire to combine entrepreneurship with the wish to make a positive contribution to the world.
Focus
We focus on start-ups and scale-ups with a heart for people and animals. We operate within the following focus areas:
Empowerment and social inclusion
Initiatives aimed at strengthening marginalized, vulnerable, or excluded individuals and groups socially and economically.
This can refer to people who are excluded from full participation in society based on their age, education, physical or mental impairments, social background, alternative lifestyle, ethnic origin, or sexual orientation.
Happiness and health
Initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life for humans and animals.
Our themes in this area are:
> reducing meat and dairy consumption by promoting plant-based eating;
> supporting the mental health of young people and young adults; and
> stimulating and developing entrepreneurship in the creative sector.
What we do
We support impact-driven entrepreneurs in the following ways.
1. Reflecting on the social entrepreneurship concept.
Which social problem is being addressed? Is the concept clearly defined and scalable? Does the founding team have the right entrepreneurial qualities? Is there a balanced relationship between social impact and business viability?
2. Providing growth capital.
We invest directly in the impact-driven enterprise, not through a fund. Growth capital is introduced into the enterprise via a participation (equity stake) or a convertible loan. With a participation, we acquire a direct shareholding; with a convertible loan, this happens after a period of time.
3. Providing growth support.
Growth requires not only capital but also direction, choices, and alignment. Acting as a sounding board, we help take the steps that are decisive for the development of the enterprise. Depending on the need, this can cover positioning, collaboration, operations, personnel management, etc.
With whom
We connect with highly motivated, impact-driven start-ups and scale-ups working on solutions to social challenges within our focus areas. These enterprises are characterized by the ambition to inextricably link entrepreneurship with social impact.
Enterprises we collaborate with are organizationally independent. They can be active and/ or based in the Netherlands or abroad.
We enter into partnerships based on mutual trust and a shared ambition. To build this trust, it is important to get to know each other. If there is a connection, we delve deeper. We do this on both a personal and a business-economic level.
If this in-depth exploration has a positive outcome and produces common ground, we jointly determine the next steps.
Current collaborations
About us
Our ambition is to contribute to an inclusive, resilient, and future-proof world in collaboration with impact-driven entrepreneurs.
NoorderImpact is an independent investment company. We provide growth capital and support to impact-driven enterprises. Social impact is our primary goal, with financial returns being a derivative.
At the same time, it is crucial that we ensure our own continuity and enable reinvestments. The returns from our participations must, over time, create a cyclical effect. So that what we harvest, we can sow again.
NoorderImpact is owned by Stichting Koersvast, a non-profit foundation.
The origins of Stichting Koersvast and NoorderImpact lie in the maritime world. This heritage is reflected in NoorderImpact’s first participation: an initiative for the care and shelter of sick and injured Filipino seafarers.
Sjoerd Zijlstra
Initiator & driving force
Hinke Veltman
Organizational backbone & process manager
Martijn Steenkamp
Chairman Supervisory Board
Guido Hollaar
Secretary Supervisory Board
News
We invest again in empowerment and inclusion!
Hable: assistive technology for blind and visually impaired people
Following our participation in Speaksee (innovative solutions for the deaf, hard of hearing and non-native speakers), NoorderImpact is now also investing in Hable: user-friendly and affordable technological tools for people with visual impairments.
Sjoerd from NoorderImpact on Hable: “Hable offers and develops practical solutions that make it easier for people with visual impairments to participate in daily life. And what’s great is that these solutions are surprisingly affordable, making them also accessible to households with a smaller budget.”
Luuk form Hable on the collaboration: “Hable operates in a niche market. NoorderImpact is used to being active in specific market segments, especially when it comes to social inclusion. We believe NoorderImpact can really support us in our further growth and development. NoorderImpact also aligns well with the other shareholders, including early-stage investor PEZY.”
Hable is building a rapidly growing portfolio of its products. This portfolio is being developed together with partners and experts by experience. Sales take place through an ever-expanding global network of platforms and distributors. You can find more information about Hable at www.iamhable.com.
Want to know more?
Hable
Luuk Jansen, luuk@iamhable.com, +31626791076
NoorderImpact
Hinke Veltman, hinke@noorderimpact.nl, +31623511316
Publication date: 16 December 2025
We keep investing in food for change!
Following earlier investments in Goodoo (plant-based ice cream) and Monkeys by the Sea (plant-based alternatives to fish and seafood), NoorderImpact is now also investing in Max&Bien: premium plant-based cheeses.
Sjoerd from NoorderImpact on the investment: “The market for plant-based cheese alternatives is emerging and often dominated by bland and uninspiring products. Max&Bien has managed to develop flavourful and visually appealing plant-based cheeses. A welcome addition for both the foodservice and retail”
Maxine from Max&Bien on the collaboration: “NoorderImpact is a passionate and experienced partner, supporting entrepreneurs in the shift from animal-based to plant-based foods. While keeping a clear focus on economic sustainability.”
Max&Bien’s plant-based cheeses are already available through a select group of (cheese)wholesalers, caterers, restaurants, and supermarkets. Efforts are underway to expand distribution both within and beyond this group.
Craving the tastiest cheese alternative in the Netherlands? Visit Max&Bien.
Want to know more?
Max&Bien
Jobien Groen, jobien@maxandbien.com, +31625225132
NoorderImpact
Hinke Veltman, hinke@noorderimpact.nl, +31623511316
Publication date: 19 June 2025
Collaboration Monkeys by the Sea
Monkeys by the Sea develops and markets plant-based alternatives to seafood. To achieve this, they use sustainable and locally sourced ingredients such as seawater from a marine reserve, oyster mushrooms, beet fibres, seaweed and microalgae. So far, Monkeys by the Sea’s tasty alternatives have primarily been known within professional buyers in foodservice. It’s time to change that!
Sjoerd Zijlstra of NoorderImpact on the investment: “This initiative aligns perfectly with our goal of promoting plant-based food consumption. Monkeys by the Sea has successfully developed unique and flavourful alternatives to seafood that appeal to a broad audience.”
Thijs Wullems of Monkeys by the Sea on the collaboration: “NoorderImpact recognizes the importance of plant-based alternatives to seafood as an essential part of the protein transition. In addition to providing capital, they also offer strategic support. We expect their involvement to give a strong boost to our growth.”
Currently, Monkeys by the Sea’s plant-based seafood products are available through an exclusive network of caterers, restaurants, and sustainably focused wholesalers. A broader market launch is in progress, building on the laid foundations in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Are you ready to ride the wave with Monkeys by the Sea? Visit Monkeys by the Sea.
Want to know more?
Monkeys by the Sea
Thijs Wullems, tw@monkeysbythesea.com, +31634551049
NoorderImpact
Hinke Veltman, hinke@noorderimpact.nl, +31623511316
Publication date: 4 March 2025
Collaboration Speaksee
Speaksee has developed a unique application to make conversations accessible for the deaf, hard of hearing, and non-native speakers. Speaksee is on the verge of a global breakthrough. As a socially driven impact investor, NoorderImpact is pleased to be part of this breakthrough!
Sjoerd Zijlstra from NoorderImpact on the participation: “This initiative aligns well with our goal of empowering marginalized groups socially. With their passion and strong connection to the target audience, Speaksee is uniquely positioned to make this initiative a success.”
Jari Hazelebach from Speaksee on the collaboration: “NoorderImpact is one of the few investors that has social inclusion as a focus area. This background is a great addition within our group of shareholders.”
Speaksee’s subtitle and translation tools are mainly used in England, the Netherlands, and surrounding countries. Efforts are underway for further European expansion. For more information about Speaksee’s activities, please visit Speaksee.
Want to know more?
Speaksee
Jari Hazelebach, jari@speak-see.com, +31108990163
NoorderImpact
Hinke Veltman, hinke@noorderimpact.nl, +31623511316
Publication date: 23 July 2024
Collaboration Goodoo (IJsbaart)
Goodoo (FKA IJsbaart) develops and markets plant-based food concepts with a focus on plant-based ice cream. They started selling their ice cream at festivals and are now ready to conquer the Netherlands. Impact investor NoorderImpact is happy to assist with that!
Sjoerd Zijlstra from NoorderImpact on the participation in Goodoo: “This initiative fits perfectly with our aim to promote the consumption of plant-based food. We believe that Goodoo is capable of introducing plant-based ice cream to a wide market in an accessible way.”
Roderick Verplanken from Goodoo on the collaboration: “NoorderImpact is a social driven investment partner that engages based on both content and trust. In addition to the financial boost, we expect that the NoorderImpact team will have a strengthening influence on our growth and development.”
Goodoo’s ice cream are sold throughout The Netherlands, with the number of sales points increasing rapidly. The ice cream will also be available at various supermarket chains, starting in the spring of 2024. For more information about Goodoo’s activities, visit Goodoo.
Want to know more?
Roderick Verplanken, roderick@goodoo.nl, +31641857901
NoorderImpact
Hinke Veltman, hinke@noorderimpact.nl, +31623511316
Publication date: 21 March 2024
Collaboration AIM on crew recovery
AIM on crew recovery focuses on the reception and care of repatriated Filipino seafarers. (Co-)founder Anker Insurance Company and impact investor NoorderImpact aim to professionalize and to expand AIM’s operations.
Key areas of focus include (training) programs to promote the mental and physical well-being of seafarers and an expanded accommodation and guidance for repatriated seafarers.
Annemiek Bos, Managing Director of Anker Insurance Company, regarding NoorderImpact’s participation: “With NoorderImpact, we have found a partner who can assist us strategically and organizationally in the further development of AIM. They are familiar with our working environment and that of AIM.”
AIM has offices in Manila and Singapore. For more information about AIM’s activities, visit AIM on crew recovery.
More information?
Anker Crew Insurance
Marleen Lenting-Odink, lenting@anker.nl, +31657375194.
NoorderImpact
Hinke Veltman, hinke@noorderimpact.nl, +31623511316
Publication date: 30 October 2023
