Brussels, November 12 – A private Science|Business Network roundtable connecting Research & Innovations  dots: The power of regional and digital clusters. As discussions around the next MFF are proceeding, innovation clusters have – more than ever – become a ground for synergies between several EU programmes including Horizon Europe, Digital Europe, Structural Funds and the Single Market Programme. While the European Commission already invested billions to support innovation at cluster level, stakeholders on the ground highlight the complexity of EU schemes for regional innovation and claim that “European innovation ecosystems” do not yet receive the recognition they deserve.

With the emergence of new forms of innovation hubs and the rapid advancement of digital technologies, the opportunities to bridge current gaps are huge. This raises a critical question: how can we better connect regional innovation ecosystems, so that frontier research, high potential technologies and success stories are available to the greatest number of actors across Europe?In a closed-door setting, a select group of experts from industry, research, public authorities and regional development agencies reviewed the current obstacles, discussed new opportunities and addressed recommendations to the European Parliament and incoming Commission on how to accelerate innovation within and between regional and digital clusters. The roundtable was hosted by the Delegation of the Basque Country to the EU. 

Digital hubs: How do they reshuffle the cards of regional innovation?

 Presentations from Twente and Tallinn were followed by a group discussion.

 

East Netherlands

East Netherlands was represented by Remke Burie, managing director of the Technical Medical (TechMed) Centre of the University of Twente. He is involved in the development of multiple new research and innovation projects. He is part of the management team of the European network of digital innovation hubs focusing on healthcare robotics (DIH-HERO) and member of the steering committee of MedFit. 

 

“Good allignment between regional innovation strategy and priorities, innovation hubs, clusters and ecosystems is highly important in order to create synergy and enhance regional economic development. Eastern Netherlands is on the right track!” 
Remke Burie

 

 

 

Key messages East Netherlands

Concepts for a Healthy Life

• Personalized Health and Nutrition– Further development of the individual specificity of medical diagnostics, treatment and supervision.
• Health Technology and Delivery Systems– Technological base of medical care and the social aspects.
• Healthy Brain – Further development of knowledge of the functioning of the human brain and the resulting application options.

Mission Prevention:
We aim to be one step ahead of disease and disease burden, to boost the quality of life of our citizens to actively participate in society for two more years, by connecting three domains; Tech, Health and Food.

Smart and Sustainable Industries

• Smart Food Production – Producing healthy food without damaging the environment.
• Smart Manufacturing and Materials – Development and application of materials on a molecular and nano-scale.
  Biobased production
• Sustainable use of natural resources for manufacturing and energy production.

Mission Energy Storage and Management Solutions:
We aim to ensure energy security and continuity by developing large scale sustainable energy storage and management solutions at the highest competitive level. With a focus on Mobility-related solutions, Hydrogen and Batteries.