Article about Kennispark in Oost NL brochure ‘Science & Innovation Parks and Campuses in East Netherlands’

Unique Companies

• 3T
• Bosch | ItoM
• Bronkhorst High-Tech
• Demcon
• Ecare
• Eurofins | MASER
• Fraunhofer Innovation Platform
• HoSt
• LioniX International
• Medspray | Resyca
• Micronit
• Movella | Xsens
• Nobian
• NX Filtration
• Phix Photonics Assembly
• Quix Quantum
• Sigmax

Long-term Vision

Kennispark Twente is a knowledge-based campus with a unique mix of knowledge-intensive economic functions and academic networks, focusing on personal development, challenge and growth. Knowledge is a mainstay of the University of Twente, which is currently further strengthening its profile as an entrepreneurial university. We are transforming the area into a prime location where it is attractive to live and work for both (international) talent and companies, to become a go-to innovative breeding ground where research institutes, startups and high-tech businesses form the ‘where science becomes business’ ecosystem. Kennispark Twente aims to be a meeting point for top-class European knowledge, technology and innovative businesses.

Open Innovation Strategy

In Twente, sharing expertise and cooperative innovation speaks for itself. It springs from the conviction that this will lead to new possibilities, concepts and products. It helps companies to find their competitive advantage and to stay ahead of the competition. Innovating together means arriving at an intended result more quickly, and being able to focus on the demands and desires of the end-user and/or customer. At the end of the day, the metrics that really matter are shortening the time to market introduction and increasing profit on a particular product. Both companies and knowledge institutes in Twente play a strong role in. this regard.

World-class Research Institutes

• MESA+: One of the largest nanotechnology institutes in the world.
• TechMed Centre: leading Innovation Hub impacting healthcare.
• DSI: contributes to responsible digitisation and the seamless integration of technology with people and their needs.
• JICs: focus on photonic chips, medical technology (organon-a-chip) and digital systems for predicting maintenance of civil infrastructure.
• CTIT: Institute for ICT research in context.
• TPRC: Research Center for Advancing Thermoplastic Composites Technologies.
• Fraunhofer Innovation Platform for Advanced Manufacturing: One of the largest non-profit organizations of applied research in Europe.
• Max Planck: Center for Complex Fluid Dynamics.
• Robotics Center: Use robotics to improve quality of life in every possible way.
• European Membrane Institute: Performs confidential contract research directly with industry.

R&D Focus

The focus is on technological developments with a high social relevance: High Tech – Human Touch.

• Smart Materials
  Thermoplastic composites, membranes, smart & functional materials, (bio)polymers, surface treatment.
• Software & Security
  Sensors, embedded systems, architectures, ICT.
• Medical technology
  Lab-on-a-chip (micro fluids), photonics, nano electronics.
• Chip Technology
  Analogue chip design (a.o. RF, mixed signal), photonics, quantum, nano, packaging, equipment, micro-electronics
• Advanced manufacturing
  Additive manufacturing, mechatronics & robotics, semiconductors.

These technological developments hold relevance in a number of domains where they may be applied, such as energy & battery, safety, health, water management and infrastructure.

Shared R&D Facilities

Kennispark Twente has several open innovation centers and platforms to develop and share knowledge related to hightech systems and materials.

• High Tech Factory
  Production facility for companies in micro- and nanotechnology.
• Thermoplastic Composites Research Center
  Open innovation around thermoplastic composites.
• Fablab Enschede
  Special equipment such as a 3D printer for prototyping.
• OICAM
  Applied sustainable innovations in advanced materials.
• Pioneering
  Platform for innovation in the construction industry.
• Design lab
  Creative and cross-disciplinary lab connecting science and society.
• Virtual Reality & Smart Industry Lab
  Equipped with the latest technology for visualisation, interaction, collaboration and communication.
• BMS LAB
  A catalyst for high-quality, innovative research and societal challenges.
• Supersonic wind tunnel
  For aerodynamic and aeroacoustic research.

Start-up Facilities and Programs

The business climate in Twente has traditionally been based on daring, a pioneering spirit and vision. The organization Novel-T is building an environment in which entrepreneurs can seize new opportunities to stay or become a frontrunner in their league. By connecting and activating talent, knowledge, capital, network and infrastructure, opportunities will lead to new, innovative businesses.

Several facilities and programs are available to encourage those starting their own business:

• TOP, START and GROW program: Tools and support through programs so entrepreneurs can continue to make an impact;
• The Legal Advice Center offers advice on the legal aspects of starting a new business;
• There are options for a number of financing possibilities, such as the Innovation Fund Overijssel, istart.nl Seed Fund, Cottonwood, and a network of informal investors;
• There is workspace available close to innovative companies;
• Many events for sharing knowledge and skills on entrepreneurship are organized, such as the Start-up Fest, Create Tomorrow, InnovateGO and Campus Café.

Kennispark Twente is one of the top 3 of main science parks in The Netherlands and set to grow further into a knowledge-based campus with a unique mix of knowledge-intensive economic functions and academic networks, focusing on personal development, challenge and growth.

Sustainability

Our policy

In addition to innovation, sustainability is one of the core criteria for every development on campus. Sustainability must lead to environmental and economic benefits. With its high-tech and research-related companies and institutions, Kennispark Twente is suitable for the application of innovative, sustainable solutions. It comprises a realistic laboratory where new techniques can be tested and implemented, including energy minimization, climate and ventilation, day lighting, green roofs, sustainable materials, etc. Sustainable real estate, common areas and events are used as a statement to make knowledge and solutions visible to the public.

BREAAM Certification

Kennispark Twente is a BREEAM-certified area. The sustainability efforts at Kennispark have been rewarded with a 2-star rating. The 2-star certificate is tangible proof of the various sustainability initiatives at Kennispark.

The certificate is certainly not an end point, but rather a good incentive to make Kennispark Twente even more sustainable.

Our main objectives

• Saving energy;
• Making buildings more sustainable;
• Installing solar panels on so many buildings;
• Construct solar field over 2700 parking spaces + energy storage + charging facilities;
• Research into sustainable heat and cold;
• Research into a sustainable (process) water network;
• Sustainable, separated, ZERO emission waste collection;
• More space for water storage and measures against heat stress, attention to biodiversity;
• Sustainable mobility (walking, cycling, public transport, car).

Remarkable sustainability objects/achievements

• The Living Lab Smart Grid provides rich information about devices and building energy use as input for development and optimisation of new concepts, services and products for smart-grid solutions;
• A heat exchange system (located in the pond) is in use.
• Solar panels have been widely installed;
• Plans for realisation of a solar field;
• Plans for installation of a container battery.

Community Services & Facilities

Kennispark Twente offers:

• The Gallery: The heart of a vibrant innovation ecosystem, where start-ups, scale-ups and growing companies work on groundbreaking technology and impact.
• A full package of facilities, like Broodbode, Waaier, various restaurants, shops, meeting places, etc.;
• A full program for all inhabitants (cultural, sports, business) and 250+ events annually for innovation &entrepreneurship, partner of Start-up Fest;
• 2 hotels.

Leisure (sports, congress)

Soccerstadion FC Twente, movie theatre, sports facilities, cultural performances, ice skating area, concerts and exhibitions, conference facilities, hotel.

Parking

4,500 free parking spaces

Park management

• Site-related services
• Kennispark Twente is working with the Association for Kennispark Entrepreneurs on establishing park management. This will include issues such as energy, waste, safety, sustainability and parking.

Building-related services

There are eight serviced incubators, all with facility management, reception, cleaning/waste services, copy & print facilities, etc. These are operated by various partners.
Governance

Campus ownership

Municipality of Enschede, University of Twente, private parties.

Decision makers & decision-making process

These include the municipality of Enschede, University of Twente, private parties and NFIA/Oost NL for initial contact with interested companies and contracts. Kennispark Twente conducts a profile assessment of any interested companies.

Management

Stichting Gebiedsorganisatie Kennispark.

Commitment

University of Twente, the municipality of Enschede and Kennispark Ondernemers.

Buildings

• Education and Research 200,000 m2
• Company buildings 218,000 m2
• Housing (students) 2,470 units

By 2025, 117 student residences will have been completed on the campus of the University of Twente. In 2027, 183 homes will be added on the Business & Science Park for (young) professionals, PhD students and employees of Kennispark companies.

More information

Would you like to know more about the opportunities for establishing a business at Kennispark? Please contact Alfred Stobbelaar: alfred@kennispark.nl.

Source: Science & Innovation Parks and Campuses in East Netherlands