What did Statistics Netherlands investigate?
The CBS Financing Monitor 2025 follows the journey of Dutch SMEs seeking external funding: from initial need and orientation to application and final outcome. The monitor is based on a survey of nearly 5,600 businesses and covers July 2024 to July 2025.
The research population consists of SMEs in the business economy with at least two people employed. Its percentages therefore do not automatically apply to sole traders without employees.
Three figures that stand out
- 15.0% needed new external funding.
- 77.6% of businesses with a funding need explored the available options.
- 67.1% of the businesses that explored their options then submitted an application.
The figures show that a funding need does not automatically result in an application. Selection occurs between need and execution. A business may conclude that funding is too expensive, unsuitable or insufficiently feasible — or discover that the investment plan is not yet robust enough.
Being funding-ready requires more than profitability
A funder needs to understand how much capital is required, what it will finance and how interest and repayments will be covered by future cash flow. Positive profit matters, but it is not sufficient when customers pay late, inventory rises or several investments absorb liquidity at the same time.
Strong preparation therefore connects the funding request to current financial information, a cash-flow forecast and several scenarios. This clarifies not only whether capital is needed, but also which funding form and term match the economic life of the investment.
Five elements of a strong funding case
- A specific purpose: define the investment, growth initiative or temporary liquidity requirement.
- Current management information: use recent revenue, margin, cost, balance-sheet and receivables data.
- A monthly cash-flow forecast: show the lowest cash position, interest and repayments.
- Scenarios and limits: calculate the impact of delay, higher costs or lower revenue.
- A credible repayment route: demonstrate which operating cash flows will cover the obligations.
What does this mean for growing SMEs?
Funding is not a stand-alone product; it is part of financial management. Businesses that only gather their figures when submitting an application miss the opportunity to compare alternatives earlier, improve weak assumptions and adjust the funding mix.
Start with the economic logic of the investment. What financial impact is expected? When will it materialise? How much additional working capital is required? And will the business remain manageable if performance is weaker than expected?
Source: Statistics Netherlands (CBS), Financing Monitor 2025, published 4 February 2026. Percentages relate to SMEs in the business economy with at least two people employed. Accessed 18 July 2026.
Founder of Impact Growth Partner. Combines finance, M&A and private-equity experience with practical financial and strategic guidance for SMEs.
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