Who we are
Europe’s leading FUNDING and INNOVATION consultancy
How do you become one of Europe’s leading funding and innovation consultancy, with over 400 specialists in eight countries and thousands of clients throughout Europe? Well, that did not happen overnight. Obviously, the PNO group has made a long journey from its start in 1985 to where it is at now. A journey with highs and lows, naturally. But it brought us to where we are now: a vibrant and sound organisation that serves thousands of clients, participates in over 250 European innovation projects, and realized over € 1 Billion total funding value. All this is done by our most important assets: more than 400 highly skilled scientists, engineers, finance, legal, fiscal and compliance experts, that are eager to contribute to solving the world’s most urgent challenges by enabling innovation. It is an important part of our ambition, and it’s why we are determined to stick around for a while.
1985
Founding of PNO
The year that PNO was founded. Three Dutch students wrote a graduation paper on grants and based on its conclusions, started advising businesses. Being a completely unexplored area, the grant successes they accomplished for their clients made the news and, without realizing it then, the three youngsters had invented a new profession: grants consultancy
1985 - 2008
Growth
A period of firm growth. Although rapidly copied by other advisory organisations, PNO became market leader in the Netherlands, employing over 300 FTE at the peak of its growth. Besides profitable revenues from our funding advisory services, part of this growth was realized by taking over the funding activities of Ernst & Young and joining up with Ciaotech in Italy and Econet in Spain.
2008 - 2010
Expansion
Fueled by its successes and ready to seize growth opportunities in the east, PNO opened new offices in Eastern Europe.
2010 - 2014
Focus
By structuring towards a sector-oriented organisation, the foundation was laid for the strong specialist company that we have since become.
2014 - 2019
Consolidation
Whilst cherishing our solid fund-advisory business in Western Europe (and through partnerships in Eastern Europa, Scandinavia and the US), with the acquisitions of specialist businesses like ttopstart, NEHEM and ARTTIC, PNO Group is now rightfully a leading European consultancy in funding and innovation.
2019 -
Joined in innovation
By adding new and promising labels to our portfolio, such as EGEN, ffiqs and Grant Assurance, PNO Group is now fully equipped to offer both in-depth know-how of our clients’ sectors as well as broad complementary expertise, joined in full service to our innovative clients. That’s what we call Joined in Innovation
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1985
Founding of PNO
- The year that PNO was founded. Three Dutch students wrote a graduation paper on grants and based on its conclusions, started advising businesses. Being a completely unexplored area, the grant successes they accomplished for their clients made the news and, without realizing it then, the three youngsters had invented a new profession: grants consultancy
1985-2008
Growth
- A period of firm growth. Although rapidly copied by other advisory organisations, PNO became market leader in the Netherlands, employing over 300 FTE at the peak of its growth. Besides profitable revenues from our funding advisory services, part of this growth was realized by taking over the funding activities of Ernst & Young and joining up with Ciaotech in Italy and Econet in Spain
2008-2010
- Fueled by its successes and ready to seize growth opportunities in the east, PNO opened new offices in Eastern Europe.
2010-2014
Focus
- By structuring towards a sector-oriented organisation, the foundation was laid for the strong specialist company that we have since become
2014-2019
- Whilst cherishing our solid fund-advisory business in Western Europe (and through partnerships in Eastern Europa, Scandinavia and the US), with the acquisitions of specialist businesses like ttopstart, NEHEM and ARTTIC, PNO Group is now rightfully a leading European consultancy in funding and innovation.
-2019
Joined in Innovation
- By adding new and promising labels to our portfolio, such as EGEN and ffiqs, PNO Group is now fully equipped to offer both in-depth know-how of our clients’ sectors as well as broad complementary expertise, joined in full service to our innovative clients. That’s what we call Joined in Innovation
MEET OUR MANAGEMENT
Peter Zwart
Role: CEO
Since: 2009
Career: Board Van Lanschot Bankiers
Paolo Salvatore
Role: Board member PNO Group
Since: 2008
Career: Founder CIAOTECH
Roger Brouwers
Role: Board member PNO Group
Since: 1993
Career: Berenschot, Leyer & Weerstra
Arthur de Haan
Role: Board member PNO Group/PNO NL
Since: 2007
Career: Arthur Andersen, EY