Feasibility Study for the Geldrop-Mierlo Entrepreneurs Fund

Why the Entrepreneurs Fund for Geldrop-Mierlo?

Geldrop-Mierlo is home to over 4,000 businesses, but union membership in industrial parks and outside the city centers is low:

• Of the seven business parks, only Hooge Akker has an organizational structure (in the form of a cooperative), but it lacks the resources needed to achieve shared goals (such as a walking trail)
• There is little to no cohesion among the other six business parks
• The Gemini Business Association focuses on business-to-business activities, but has only 50 members in our municipality

In contrast, in the two centers where an advertising tax is levied, union membership and engagement are actually high. There, a wide range of joint activities are organized to achieve a common goal. There is also an established consultation framework with the municipality.

What can an Entrepreneur Fund do for you?

We believe that an Entrepreneurs’ Fund could be of great value to Geldrop-Mierlo. Not only in terms of fostering a sense of community among entrepreneurs, but also in strengthening the ties between entrepreneurs, Health, civil society, sports organizations, and residents. And to serve as a reliable partner for the municipality in addressing the challenges that lie ahead.

An Entrepreneur Fund makes it possible to implement facilities, safety measures, and other initiatives that are not feasible for individual entrepreneurs but serve the common good. 

Specific examples: 

• Collective funding of shared interests (park management, promotion, events).
• Solving the free-rider problem: without a mandatory contribution, some businesses will not pay, even though they benefit from the collective efforts.
• Strengthening collaboration. The fund encourages mutual collaboration and consultation, as entrepreneurs and community partners make joint decisions on how to allocate the funds. This strengthens the collective interest, engagement with the local community, and influence on municipal policy.
• Improving the business climate: Joint investments in the area’s image, accessibility, and safety will make it more attractive to customers, employees, and new businesses. This can lead to higher revenue and increased property values.
• Stable and long-term funding: Rather than one-off, voluntary initiatives with fluctuating levels of support, an Entrepreneurs Fund provides continuity. There is a guaranteed annual budget to carry out projects.