Investment topics
Investment topics
LRM invests in companies and projects that drive economic growth and generate sustainable jobs in Limburg. As a venture capital provider, LRM proudly invests in the growth plans of start-ups, growing SMEs and large companies.
LRM is a generalist investment company: any entrepreneur - large or small - who develops activities in Limburg or with an impact on Limburg can knock on LRM's door. Over the years, LRM has built up specific expertise in a number of domains. This focus ensures that LRM can actively contribute to the transformation of Limburg's economic DNA and that portfolio companies can count on relevant introductions within an extensive network.
LRM focuses on these 5 themes...
1. Sustainable Societies
The economic drivers that underlie the Sustainable Societies investment platform are the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals ' (SDGs ). These are the goals the world is working to achieve by 2030 to secure the planet’s sustainable development. The 17 main objectives and 169 sub-objectives form the most important international sustainability framework for the next 15 years.
In 2017, LRM also joined the Voka Charter for Sustainable Entrepreneurship. LRM proposed 54 substantive projects to contribute to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. The final award for the efforts and achievements made leads to the achievement of the official sustainability charter of the United Nations. After a positive final audit, LRM already received a second year certificate from Voka in 2019, paving the way for the United Nations sustainability label in 2020.
Sustainable Society answers all the investment issues that come under those 17 main objectives, focusing on clean water & sanitation, affordable and sustainable energy, sustainable cities & communities, responsible consumption & production, climate action, life in the water and life on land. In order to streamline that focus, LRM has divided the Sustainable Society platform into the sub-domains of Green Energy, Smart Cities, Recycling & Materials and Agricultural Technology (AgTech).
The theme focuses on interesting, new, often young companies that can bring innovative and sustainable technologies to Limburg. On the other hand, new production projects for affordable and sustainable energy are extremely important as well. In Sustainable Society, LRM therefore keeps its focus on companies in which the technology and construction of IP are the driving forces.
2. Technology & Services
This investment topic focuses on young, innovative companies in Limburg with an international growth potential and on international companies who want to expand from Limburg. This topic has a few subdomains through ICT & Digital Media, Professional & Financial Services and Creative Industry.
3. Smart Manufacturing
The manufacturing industry in Limburg (and Europe) remains an important driver for the economy and, indirectly, accounts for a multitude of jobs in other sectors. “Industry 4.0” – digital factories that deliver complex and personalised products flexibly – is bringing innovation into western manufacturing. It is a trend that LRM is following closely and one where we also provide guidance for our holdings.
Manufacturing also consists of a broad range of industrial and logistics activities. From the perspective of the Smart Manufacturing investment topic we focus on Product Manufacturing and Value Added Logistics.
4. Health & Care
Globally, technological innovations are increasingly being developed for and applied within the health and care sectors. New biotechnology applications, for example, are important for the development and use of medicines. But in addition to cures, another thing they are looking for within the care service sector is innovative technologies, for example the development of new, assistive devices. From the perspective of the Health & Care Services investment domain, LRM has been responding to this trend for several years.
5. Heritage & Leisure Experience
LRM will continue to focus on converting former mining sites into captivating tourist landmarks and developing Limburg’s experience economy. Enerzijds ligt het beheer van de voormalige mijnsites van Beringen – het huidige be-MINE – en Eisden – het huidige Terhills – in onze handen en ontwikkelt LRM daar strategische toeristische projecten. On the other hand, LRM supports strategic tourist projects that create additional jobs, but also offer more assets to continue putting Limburg and its cities on the map.
That emphasis on innovative and knowledge-intensive sectors extends beyond providing venture capital and developing sector infrastructure. It focuses on the development of quality sector clusters. LRM initiates and finances demo and pilot projects, facilitates the creation of high-quality spin-offs from research institutions and forms the basis of new start-up incubators and knowledge infrastructure in Limburg. With its available resources, LRM can make a difference on a Limburg-wide scale and help to develop the region into one large technological testing ground.
