marktprikkeling

Marktprikkeling is a policy concept describing a set of measures aimed at hastening the development and growth of a market for a product, service, or technology, typically when demand is insufficient or market failures exist. The idea is to make the market more attractive to buyers and sellers, lowering barriers to entry and reducing the risks of early-stage adoption.

Common instruments include financial incentives such as subsidies, tax credits, and grants; demand-side measures such as public procurement commitments or guaranteed purchase agreements; supply-side measures such as regulatory sandboxes, standards, certification, and matchmaking to connect providers with potential customers; and information campaigns to increase awareness and reduce uncertainty.

Markets where marktprikkeling is frequently used include energy and environmental technologies (solar, wind, energy efficiency), transport (electric vehicles, charging infrastructure), and digital or health innovations with network effects. The aim is to accelerate market formation, achieve scale economies, and improve diffusion of beneficial technologies.

Effectiveness depends on design and context. Potential downsides include misallocation of public resources, distortion of competition, dependence on subsidies, and crowding out private investment if incentives are poorly targeted. Evaluation typically looks at adoption rates, price reductions, market entrants, and long-term sustainability of the market.

In policy debates, marktprikkeling is seen as part of broader innovation and industrial policy, often complemented by regulation, standards, and competition policy.