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Delen
Since its inception in 1984, Kennispark Twente in Enschede has developed into one of the most competitive innovation campuses in Europe, where innovative companies, the University of Twente and government agencies work together on groundbreaking technologies. ‘Kennispark Twente is the breeding ground for business activity and the economic engine of the region’, says director Bertyl Lankhaar.
The Business and Technology Centre (BTC) Twente, the predecessor of the current Kennispark Twente, was opened in 1984 as a top location for innovation and entrepreneurial talent. At the time, Twente was confronted with a decline in the textile sector, while microelectronics was rapidly emerging. ‘The University of Twente wanted to combine knowledge and industry and brought together young microelectronics companies in BTC Twente. This allowed them to share their knowledge and facilities and increase their chances of success’, says Lankhaar.
Together with Oost NL
BTC Twente started as a joint project of the former American computer giant Control Data and the Overijssel Development Agency (OOM, now Oost NL). ‘At its opening in 1984, BTC Twente offered space to 20 companies. Oost NL advised them on financing options and offered assistance with financial administration. Since 1984, over 700 companies have established a solid foundation for their growth at BTC Twente. Many of these companies eventually grew to have their own place at Kennispark Twente, such as Symbol, 3T, PhiX and Stratech.
Oost NL also has a place at Kennispark Twente through the Overijssel Innovation Fund: in The Gallery, close to Novel-T, among others. ‘This physical presence indicates that Oost NL still supports us in international acquisition and investing in companies. For example, Oost NL recently became a shareholder in New Origin, an advanced production facility for photonic chips. This will make Twente the centre of a global photonics revolution. Oost NL is taking all kinds of initiatives to put Kennispark on the map and to stimulate, facilitate and coordinate cluster developments. They are fully committed to creating a good business climate, for example by establishing the MedTech Twente and ChipTech Twente clusters. But also by organising events on subjects such as artificial intelligence and by making the area future-proof, for example by tackling network congestion issues. Together we will ensure that we retain talent for the region and further increase the economic strength of Twente.
Over the next ten years, Kennispark Twente wants to grow into an area where working, living and meeting merge in a green, future-proof environment. ‘We must become a magnet for companies and people to our region’, says Lankhaar. ‘This means not only offering interesting jobs, but also attractive places to live. Students from the University of Twente often leave the region after graduation. We would like to keep their talent in Twente. We also want to attract expertise from other countries. We need suitable, attractive housing for all these people. The housing function will therefore be added to Kennispark Twente in the foreseeable future. As far as we are concerned, it will be a global innovation campus for companies, talent and institutions in the field of chip technology, medical technology, AI, robotics and other key technologies.
Space
Kennispark Twente needs space for the campus development, both quantitatively and qualitatively. Permit procedures must be geared to the development of an innovation campus and investments must be made in preconditions such as infrastructure, accessibility by bicycle, public transport and car, solutions for water scarcity and grid congestion issues. There must also be room to attract talent. ‘Venture capital must be available to enable companies to take the next step and to tailor their programmes accordingly. The input of experts is desirable to get projects and cluster developments off the ground and to find subsidies. And the campus organisations need structural funding from public parties, as they are the point of contact for companies and researchers. Getting innovative initiatives off the ground is very complicated, especially in the initial phase. Kennispark Twente wants to offer all these initiatives a safe and solid home to be a permanent breeding ground for innovation.
Source: Oost NL
