Consult for questions on banking, financing, bank accounts and innovation
Rabobank is a cooperative bank with a mission: ‘Growing A Better World Together’. Therefore the bank is dedicated to working together with customers, members, and partners to creating a more resilient living environment. The basic premise is that we can achieve more together than alone.
Founded by farmers in the 19th century, nowadays Rabobank is the largest F&A bank worldwide. The focus is on customers in the global food-and-agri sector and in the Netherlands on F&A, retail, and private banking customers. We are keen to assist any initiatives that will change the way we grow, distribute and eat our food in order to nourish everyone while respecting planetary boundaries and allowing agricultural businesses to make a decent living. Innovation is key!
We want to achieve this by using our network to connect a wide variety of people and by sharing our knowledge and financial resources. We focus on four themes: sustainable food production, financial health for everyone, sustainable growth for enterpreneurs, and sustainable housing for everyone. We do this with 43,822 employees in 40 countries. If you have any questions related to banking, financing, bank accounts and / or innovation, then get in touch with Gerben, Wouter & Joey!
In what way can a company like Rabobank help me?
Rabobank’s proposition for start-ups consist of three elements:
Knowledge: Rabobank has over 80 agribusiness research analysts worldwide covering all F&A sectors https://research.rabobank.com/far/en/home/index.html. This knowledge can be relevant in order to build your business plan. In addition, Gerben, Joey and Wouter have expertise on financing innovations from the pre-seed phase.
Networks: Rabobank is a large company with a strong network in the international F&A landscape. Connecting corporates to start-ups and vice versa is what we do, for instance via our pitching platform FoodBytes! and F&A Next, or 1-on-1.
Financial: Solutions Start-ups need a different type of capital than mature companies. Rabobank can provide early-stage financing or link you to providers of risk-bearing capital, subsidies etc.
We also work with Rabo Foundation to help vulnerable groups of people achieve greater self-reliance.
How do I start a company?
There is not 1 single road map on how to start a company. Each founder has its own idea, personal motivation and strengths. Therefore we see very different routes. However, everyone needs to bring his/her idea to the next level. You need a plan. Rabobank has extensive knowledge on good business plans and can provide you with business plan templates or financial projections. Take a look at here for this and all other relevant tips on how to start a company. Rabobank also provides relevant information here.
Can I use my own bank account for my initiative?
Yes, you can in the starting phase. But sooner or later you need a business account. We recommend to open a business account as your idea begins to materialise and you need to make costs. The most common legal form is a B.V. This form is obligatory from the point of view of most subsidy providers, financers and buyers.
How do I open an account for my initiative?
This can be easily done here, particularly when you have a private account with Rabobank. In your 1st year you pay no fixed costs for your business account, bank card + online banking (= € 0.00 instead of € 9.95 per month). Additionally, you get a discount on your transaction costs and many business payment products. You can also purchase our other business products and the insurance policies of Interpolis ZekerVanJeZaak®.
What are the possibilities, as a student, to get a loan?
You need to have a B.V. in order to obtain a loan. This is a formal condition.
As a student, you can apply for the Innovation Loan of Rabobank (‘AIL’). This is an early-phase loan for B.V.’s in the idea, plan or start-up phase. You can request more information here. Rabobank is able to do this since we fund this loan out of our “cooperative dividend”. We have members instead of shareholders. Every year we choose to invest part of our annual profit in society. And it’s up to our members how to allocate this “dividend”.
How do I finance my initiative in a sustainable way?
Rabobank ranks no. 1 worldwide on the sustainability index of major banks (source: sustainalytics). So in general, Rabobank’s financing is sustainable with respect to its competitors. This means when receiving a loan from Rabobank, you need to be aware that we will form our opinion on the sustainability of your operational business and footprint. Specifically, there are 2 loans that are certified sustainable with a discount on the interest percentage, being the Impact Loan and Green Financing. Check our website for more information.
What to think of when receiving an investment?
Find your own financing mix. This is key. A loan is only one option to start your business and you will certainly need more funding in the coming years. Be aware that the different puzzle pieces will fit in the future.
Ilknur is a business development manager and is focusing herself on the local implementation of Rabobank's Banking 4 Food strategy. She has an interest in innovation in the field of food and agtech as this is an important driver towards a future-proof agriculture and horticulture sector.
Prizing
Advice of Gerben, Joey and Ilknur is for free during the expert meetings. It will cost money once you attract bank capital in the form of interest costs, and a one-off closing fee. We might charge a compliance fee in our on-boarding process, depending on the complexity of your organisation.