Groningen-based software startup Simplicate has secured over 1 million euro funding from the investerings- en ontwikkelingsmaatschappij voor Noord-Nederland (NOM) the companies announced on Monday.
Simplicate, founded in 2014, has developed a cloud-based Software as a Service (SaaS) tool for SME’s, in which companies can integrate processes of CRM, sales, project management and billing in a ‘simple’ web application.
“Simplicate started out of frustration towards the complexity of business software”, the startup says. “We want to deliver a user-friendly and integrated business software experience.”
NOM is one of five so-called regional development organisations of The Netherlands, aimed at the northern region and owned by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and de provinces of Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe.
The organisations provides subordinated loans and stock, and participated in companies such as Catawiki. “The simplicity of the software, as well as possibilities to scale-up where decisive factors for us to invest”, says Laurens Kruize, Investment Manager of NOM.
Groningen
Simplicate, founded by Peter Hager and Gerard Loode, wants to use the investment to grow internationally. “We have been growing very fast and we are past the startup-phase now”, Hager says. Within the first two months of launching the company welcomed over 500 customers.
Hager and Loode therefore expect to grow overseas fast. “But our roots remain in Groningen and our headquarters will stay there”, the founders say. Earlier they declared to prefer Groningen because it’s “a city of talent (hard workers with a great sense of humor) and good research facilities.” (link in Dutch).