During the NETWORK EVENT 2024 we once again celebrated successes and discussed challenges and innovations. We look back on an event with a powerful plenary program, an inspiring market square with 12 National Growth Fund programs and finally an informal, summer networking dinner where everyone had the opportunity to catch up and network extensively in the open air.
To kick off the NETWORK EVENT 2024, Marc Hendrikse and Leo Warmerdam discussed the status quo of high-tech: the successes, the programs and calls (KIEM HighTech, NWO HTSM call and the future SME call), the developments in the Semicon and spearhead Human Capital Agenda, the National Technology Strategy and the role of Holland High Tech based on our VISION 2030.
''We have kept our focus on the energy transition, circularity, digitalization and smart industry, and key technologies in the past six months, all in line with the government's national technology strategy. In addition, we remain focused on market creation, valorization and we pay special attention to SMEs. All this builds on our Vision 2030.''
Marc Hendrikse, figurehead Holland High Tech
"And this is the beginning, there is much more to come in the rest of 2024."
Leo Warmerdam, director Holland High Tech
Keynote Jan Jonker, emeritus professor of Sustainable and Circular Entrepreneurship at Radboud University, enthusiastically shared his vision on the four major challenges of our time: sustainability, quality of life, ecology and circularity, and focused on the possible business models of the circular economy using concrete business examples.
''Circular economy is a serious matter, represents serious business and requires a translation of technology that fascinates you.''
Speakers from four National Growth Fund programs gave a pitch about their international approach, creating opportunities for high-tech SMEs, strengthening our high-tech ecosystem, the best approach to the challenge in human capital and shared the possibilities for joining.
Monika Hoekstra, NXTGEN Hightech presented a portable kidney dialysis kit that gives patients more freedom and emphasized the importance of knowledge building, ecosystem strengthening, collaboration and the need to start the circular economy with students.
For the circular economy, I would like to say that we do not start with product design, but also one step earlier and that is with the student. Let us look in education with our systems engineering at the next generation of talent, and what we can bring to education so that the next generation learns about the concepts of the future.
Ulrich Mans, Quantum Delta NL focused on the importance of international cooperation and called on organizations to become part of the Quantum Supply Chain.
Our approach focuses on three main points: first, prioritizing strategic partnerships with key countries; second, supporting startups in a complex geopolitical environment; and third, creating visible and unique initiatives such as the Center for Quantum and Society to properly assess societal impact and collaborate with international organizations.
Rob van der Meer, Einstein Telescope discussed the goal to maximize scientific value by refining and applying the technology in various industrial and scientific domains and invited Dutch industry to contribute to the further development of the technology.
Einstein Telescope submitted the proposal in the second round and it was awarded. We then received 42 million for the preliminary study to bring Einstein Telescope to Europe. And a commitment of 870 million if it is eventually built in the region.
Koen Maassen, GroenvermogenNL told us more about the programme, which focuses on accelerating and scaling up the green hydrogen economy in the Netherlands.
We divide the GroenvermogenNL program into three pillars. First, there is an R&D branch that invests in fundamental research, including hydrogen applications, transport, storage and socio-economic aspects. In addition, we focus on regional investments with roadmaps that map local needs and companies. And finally, knowledge sharing via our platform to share expertise and promote rapid learning.
Tjerk Opmeer, Director-General Innovation & Knowledge at the Ministry of Economic Affairs, provided an update on the state of affairs in The Hague and focused during his interview on what has already been invested in innovation and how we can build on this together as a high-tech sector.
We will continue and build on what is already there. With less money, but with the same passion and intensity. There is so much beautiful work in this important sector that we can use to change a lot in terms of urgent transitions. Continue with that.
Prior to the plenary programme and during the informal networking dinner, 12 National Growth Fund programmes from rounds 1, 2 and 3 shared their programmes on the market square and where you can still join as a knowledge institution and company.
This event is co-organized by Holland High Tech industry partners:
