Deventer, 12 January 2026 – Ignite Group has acquired the grant consultancy firm Leap. The Innovation Agency, becoming the largest grant consultancy in the Netherlands. The deal, concluded at the end of 2025, marks an important milestone in Ignite Group’s European growth strategy. With the recent addition of Finestri and now the Leap Group, Ignite Group becomes the market leader in the Netherlands and accelerates its path to European market leadership. The acquisition fits within the active buy-and-build strategy through which Ignite Group combines scale, expertise, and digital innovation power.
Leap adds substantial value to Ignite Group. The firm is number four in the Dutch market and is known for high-quality services and a strong customer base in the technological sector. In terms of scale, quality of services and locations, the customer portfolios, consultants and offices align closely. With offices in Nijmegen, Enschede and Delft, Leap ensures strong national presence; together with Ignite Group this creates a fine‑meshed coverage for customers across the Netherlands. With approximately 40 employees at Leap and 260 at Ignite Group, the combined scale and capacity are significantly expanded; in total, the Group now counts around 300 employees. Both Ignite Group and Leap bring valuable digital experience that will be brought together in our processes and procedures, enabling customers to benefit from a consistent, data‑driven and efficient grants process.
There will continue to be a strong focus in the Netherlands on organic growth as well as targeted M&A activities. Ignite Group’s consistent organic growth is reflected in winning the Gazelle Award eight times. In 2026, the Group will further advance its European expansion and strengthen the corporate structure. In the near future, M&A priorities will center on deepening the market position in Germany and expanding into other European markets.
The acquisition significantly strengthens Ignite Group’s nationwide position and increases the clout for customers through a combination of scale, quality, and digital solutions. For Leap’s customers, their trusted advisors will remain, while they gain access to a broader and deeper service offering.
“With Leap, we bring in the number four in the Dutch market — a perfect fit with how we work. This combination makes us even stronger. Leap is known for high-quality services and an excellent business customer base: exactly the quality and focus that accelerate our European ambitions,” said Manuel Ebner, Group CEO of Ignite Group.
“Being the largest in the Netherlands is great, but we’re far from finished. With Leap, we strengthen our nationwide position on scale, quality and locations. Their digital experience adds immediate value to our proposition for business customers,” noted Henk Heerink, Chief Business Officer of Ignite Group.
From Leap, the same ambition resonates. Sjoerd van den Boezem, Managing Partner: “The acquisition of Leap by Ignite Group gives our customers direct access to greater scale, higher quality and broader European reach. With our offices in Nijmegen, Enschede and Delft, we bring sector and grant expertise, and together we raise the bar for high-quality grant advisory.”
And Nils Bakker, Managing Partner at Leap, emphasizes the concrete elaboration for technology companies: “Our digital experience and practical expertise will be embedded in the Group’s processes and procedures. Customers notice the strategic approach at every step of their journey: from roadmapping and identifying opportunities to submitting applications, execution, and compliance.”
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About Ignite Group
Ignite Group is an international funding consultancy group that offers a unique combination of digital solutions and funding consultancy with 10 locations across Germany and the Netherlands. With a team of 260 highly qualified and specialized employees, Ignite Group supports companies, municipalities and educational institutions in identifying, applying for and managing funding projects at regional, national and EU level.
About Leap. The Innovation Agency
Leap. The Innovation Agency specializes in grants, financing, and innovation for technology companies across numerous sectors. Leap offers the ideal formula for successful innovation: by mapping opportunities within the organization and identifying market needs, Leap develops successful innovation trajectories, consistently embedded in a strategic approach suited to the organization.
For more information, please contact Ferry van der Bloemen via +31630839011 & [email protected]
