Amsterdam, 7 April 2026 – Ignite Group has acquired HGM Consultants, a specialised advisory firm that has been supporting innovative companies with grants and fiscal schemes since 1989. With offices in Breda, Amsterdam, Nijmegen and Eelde, HGM has more than 35 years of experience, a substantial customer base and deep expertise in grants such as WBSO and the Innovation Box.
The acquisition aligns with Ignite Group’s focused growth strategy of combining expertise, scale and digital innovation capabilities. HGM expands Ignite Group’s national reach in the Netherlands and adds cross-sector experience in areas including mechanical engineering, high-tech, ICT, agrifood, energy and life sciences.
In addition, HGM strengthens expertise in sustainability and circularity, themes that are becoming increasingly central in the grant landscape. HGM’s experience with grants such as MIT, VEKI and DEI+ further enhances Ignite Group’s existing offering and provides customers with new opportunities when navigating complex applications and tax optimisation.
For existing HGM customers, day-to-day collaboration will largely remain unchanged; trusted contacts will remain in place. At the same time, customers gain direct access to Ignite Group’s broader service portfolio, digital tools and international network, enabling them to better leverage both national and European opportunities.
“HGM is a grant consultancy that strengthens our group: deep fiscal and grant knowledge, an impressive portfolio of leading corporate customers, and a team that has known for years what innovative companies need support with. With their expertise in the Innovation Box and other advanced grants, we are elevating our service offering to a higher level,” said Manuel Ebner, Group CEO of Ignite Group.
“What draws us to HGM is the quality and scale of their customer base, a solid mix of enterprises across diverse sectors, with multiple offices in the Netherlands. That is the strategic addition that further strengthens our nationwide position,” said Henk Heerink, Chief Business Officer of Ignite Group.
“Since founding HGM in 1989, we have been committed to helping innovative companies structurally get more from grants and fiscal schemes. Joining Ignite Group enables us to increase our scale and better serve our customers, with access to European opportunities that were previously out of reach“, said Marc Jacobs, founder and director of HGM Consultants.
— — — — — —
About Ignite Group
Ignite Group is an international grant consultancy that supports companies, governments and knowledge institutions in identifying, applying for and managing funding for innovation and R&D. The company combines deep domain expertise with digital and AI-supported solutions to realise effective and practical funding strategies.
With more than 25 years of experience and over 190 specialised grant consultants, Ignite Group provides full-service support: from funding strategy and application guidance to project management and compliance. This reduces administrative burden, maximises the chance of success and limits audit risks.
In 2025, Ignite Group’s more than 300 employees across Europe secured over €500 million in funding for customers, achieving a success rate of 95%.
Together we Ignite progress.
About HGM Consultants
HGM Consultants is a specialised grant and fiscal advisory firm, founded in 1989 and operating from offices in Breda, Amsterdam, Nijmegen, and Eelde. HGM helps innovative companies structurally benefit more from grants and fiscal schemes, including WBSO, the Innovation Box, MIT, VEKI, and DEI+. The firm works with a strategic approach, intelligently combining grants and fiscal benefits from ideas and development through market introduction and long-term return.
For more information, please contact Anja Krusche via +3188-2020400 & [email protected]
