Vouchers and Loans

Startersvoucher of €2.500 for ArtEZ alumni

As an ArtEZ alumnus, you can apply for this voucher from the ArtEZ Business Centre (ABC) up to three years after graduation. You use the voucher for an initial investment in and for the start-up of your business. And if you participated in our READY TO START programme, you already have perfect preparation.

We collaborate with the Hogeschool van Arnhem en Nijmegen (HAN), the Radboud University (RU), and Van Hall Larenstein (VHL), so the voucher is also available for their students, Ph.D. students, and graduates.

The ABC will help you with the application, including pitch training to put your business concept and budget in the best possible way in front of an assessment committee. This committee meets 4 to 6 times yearly to assess all voucher applications. Therefore, bear in mind that good preparation is half the battle, and you should take a few months to do this.

You can apply if you have not turned over more than €10,000 within your company, and you can spend the money on starting your business, but you cannot, for example, spend it on purchasing products you use directly for sales. Afterward, you write a final statement and a financial report on what you all achieved and perhaps what didn't work out. Because what's nice is that you don't have to reimburse the money from the voucher.

The application

You describe your idea or plan for your business and explain why your idea, product, or even service is unique and innovative. You indicate how much experience you have and what your entrepreneurial qualities are. It is also essential to provide insight into how far along you are and that your plans are feasible. And who are your customers anyway? Or do you already have clients, and is their payment realistic? You talk about how you will sell your idea and how your work compares to others. And you indicate what opportunities you see when you look further into the future. We will help you be as specific and concrete as possible here.

Good to know is that with €500 of the €2,500, you can use an ArtEZ alum coach. These are coaches from our network who are very happy to share their professional knowledge, experience, and their networks with you. You may also suggest a coach you would like to work with. 

Send us an email for more information and how to apply.

Data 2024

Assessment committee vouchers:

Thursday 14 March 2024 13:00-16:00 (venue: Mercator Launch Nijmegen)
Thursday 6 June 2024 13:00-16:00 (venue: HAN Arnhem)
Thursday 3 October 2024 13:00-16:00 (venue: Mercator Launch Nijmegen)
Thursday 5 December 2024 13:00-16:00 (venue: HAN Arnhem)

For more information check the Orion website

Who from ArtEZ preceded you

In 2023

We congratulated Lisanne Peters, you can read the news item about her voucher plan here.

We congratulated Andrea van der Kuil, Elke Timmermans and Laura Dubourjal, you can read more in our news item about their plans with the voucher.

We congratulated Amit Palgi, Can Bora, Mina Rassouli and Paul Hulsebosch. Read in our news item how they received a voucher and what it was for.

Lisanne Peters

Lisanne graduated from Product Design in 2023. She wrote a plan that showed excellent growth potential for her biodegradable packaging foam.

Andrea van der Kuil

Andrea completed her master's in Performance Practices in 2022. She used part of the voucher to hire an ArtEZ Business Centre coach to support her in implementing her plans for Atelier Andrea.

Elke Timmermans

Elke graduated from Music Therapy, Enschede Conservatoire, in 2021. She received the start-up voucher for her company, MusicMovesU. With MusicMovesU, she wants to teach childcare staff how music can be part of the curriculum and daily ritual.

Laura Dubourjal

Laura graduated from the DAI Art Praxis master's programme in 2022. With the voucher money, she will invest in sustainable production and set up her website for her interdisciplinary fashion studio.

Amit Palgi

Amit graduated from the Arnhem School of Dance in 2023. With the voucher, he can make the necessary investments to continue making his films even after graduation.

Can Bora

Can graduated with a master's in Performance Practices in 2022. He will use the €2.500 to create a webshop and prototypes for his 'felt sense' products.

Mina Rassouli

Mina graduated from Comic Design studies in 2022. She applied for the start-up voucher to establish a design studio focusing on female empowerment and comedy: a combination that resulted in the 'Tiddow', a heart-shaped boobie cushion.

Paul Hulsebosch

Paul graduated from Product Design in 2021. He applied for the voucher for a street tile with a wavy structure that allows rainwater to pass through and grass to grow through.

2022

Maaike Kalkhoven

Maaike Maaike graduated in 2022 from the Fine Art, Design, and Education programme ArtEZ Arnhem. Please read here about what she used the voucher money for.

Frida Berntsen

Frida Frida graduated from the BEAR course in 2022. Read how Frida used the money from the voucher here.

2021

Melvin van Weert

Melvin followed an adapted curriculum at the Enschede Conservatoire, from a crossover between the Pop Academy and Media Music with songwriting, guitar and audio engineering/music production as main subjects. Read what Melvin used the money from the voucher for here.

Grytsje Suze Abma

Interdisciplinary designer Grytsje Suze Abma graduated from ArtEZ Arnhem in 2019 as Docent Beeldende Kunst & Vormgeving (BKV). Read how Grytsje used the €2,500 here.

Risa Horn

Risa Horn graduated from the MA programme at the Dutch Art Institute at ArEZ in 2020. Read here how Risa received a voucher and what it was for.

Starter loans

Anyone who has a good idea for a business but lacks starting capital can apply for a starter loan. These are aimed at young entrepreneurs in Gelderland who want to collaborate intensively with HAN, ArtEZ, Van Hall Larenstein or Radboud University and are provided by StartUpfonds Gelderland.

The loans are specifically intended to finance innovative, scalable activities in the development, testing and market launch phase. Loans are available from €10,000 to €150,000 at variable market interest rates.They become due after one year, to be paid back over the next two to three years.

You will receive personal support from the ArtEZ Business Centre in applying for the starter loan. Two weeks before your appointment with the assessment committee, you will receive pitch training specifically tailored to this application so that you are properly prepared for the presentation.

Apply

If you are interested in a starter loan, please apply via abc@artez.nl. You will then be invited to a personal meeting to discuss your business plan.