Sam Crombach: grants consultant at Newtone

At Newtone is all about the development and growth of organizations. Since its inception in 2024, following the merger of Koenen and Co, HLB Witlox Van den Boomen and PKF Wallast, the company has grown into an accounting & advisory firm making an impact in the south, central and western Netherlands. With over 1,100 professionals and 13 offices, we work daily to deliver client-focused solutions that contribute to the success of our clients. But what does that really mean? Sam Crombach, grants consultant at Newtone, explains.

"Sure! I'm Sam Crombach, 35, and I have a background in mechanical engineering. Before joining Newtone, I worked for many years as a design engineer and in technical customer support. I also ran two small businesses, giving me a broad understanding of the challenges companies face. I am now enthusiastically putting that experience to use as a grants consultant."

"It may not sound immediately exciting, but grants can make all the difference for companies looking to grow and innovate. Because of my technical background as well as my experience as an entrepreneur, I understand what companies are looking for. I enjoy helping companies take advantage of their opportunities. It gives me satisfaction when I can support an organization to make their plans come true."

"Our grants team consists of four people: Tim Koetsenruijter, Joost Hooijman, Paula Frank and myself. What makes us special is that we all have our own expertise. Whether it concerns innovation projects, sustainability or other themes such as agri, healthcare or education, we have the knowledge. That versatility means we can support all kinds of industries."

"As a grants advisor, I help companies capitalize on grant opportunities. My focus is on schemes that encourage innovation, research & development, training and sustainability, such as WBSO, ISDE, EIA, MIA and Practical Learning. I am there from start to finish: from identifying opportunities and submitting applications to following up on projects and reports."

"Absolutely! Suppose a company wants to become more sustainable, but has no idea what subsidies would suit it. Then we sit down with them to go over their ideas and plans. Together we look at the possibilities and draw up a plan. We make sure the application meets all the requirements and keep an eye on the deadlines. It really is teamwork. We make sure our clients don't have to worry about anything."

"At Newtone, we first listen carefully to the customer. We want to understand where they want to go and how we can help. Only then do we look at which grant(s) best fit that. It's truly customized, and that works. We keep it simple and clear, so the client understands what is happening and why. Moreover, we keep our finger on the pulse during the project, so that everything runs flawlessly."

"We are growing and want to expand our team in the future. More people means we can help even more organizations with their ambitions. That's what I get energy from: supporting companies in their growth and innovation and achieving great results together."

"Because we look beyond just the grant itself. We think about how companies can increase their impact. At Newtone, we're all about collaboration and long-term solutions. Whether it's a startup or an established company, we go out of our way to make sure our clients achieve their goals."