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About us

<p>The eastern Netherlands and Europe are facing major transitions in the areas of energy, health, food, digitisation, security and circularity. This requires focus, decisiveness and cooperation. That is why we are working together in the eastern Netherlands on innovative solutions. The goal: a resilient economy and a healthy, sustainable future.&nbsp;</p><p>Think East Netherlands is the platform that brings together companies, knowledge institutions, governments and networks in the eastern Netherlands. Because innovation starts where you connect initiatives. Together, we accelerate the step from idea to application in the eastern Netherlands and beyond.</p><div class="raw-html-embed"><div style="padding:56.25% 0 0 0;position:relative;"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/953529423?badge=0&amp;autopause=0&amp;player_id=0&amp;app_id=58479" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" title="Think East Netherlands - corporate video"></iframe></div><script src="https://player.vimeo.com/api/player.js"></script></div><h2>The Innovation Compass of East Netherlands</h2><p>Our course for 2026–2030 is laid out in the Innovation Compass of the Eastern Netherlands, in which we focus on six themes in which the region excels and with which we achieve social impact. The compass gives direction to our shared ambition: we are clear about what we invest in and where we scale up.</p><p>The six themes are in line with national and European priorities. In this way, we are positioning the Eastern Netherlands as an R&amp;D gateway to Europe: a region where policy, practice and innovation come together and where solutions are developed that are also scalable internationally.</p><h2>From regional strength to European impact</h2><p>The strength of the eastern Netherlands lies in the way we work and collaborate. Entrepreneurship, leading knowledge institutions and strong ecosystems reinforce each other and drive innovation. This regional strength is laid down in the <a href="https://cms.thinkeast.nl/uploads/RIS_3_Smart_Specialisation_Strategy_East_Netherlands_e77a4d0154.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Regional Innovation Strategy (RIS3)</a>. The RIS3 was developed in collaboration with businesses, knowledge institutions, government bodies and social partners, and is aligned with European innovation policy (ERDF). While the Innovation Compass identifies shared ambitions and opportunities, the RIS3 provides direction for choices, investments and collaboration in the Eastern Netherlands. In 2024, the European Commission recognised the Eastern Netherlands region as a Regional Innovation Valley within the New European Innovation Agenda. This is a confirmation of our innovative strength and European position.</p><h2>The six innovation themes</h2><p>Think East Netherlands works on the basis of six innovation themes:</p><ul><li>Digital Industry &amp; Technology – acceleration of digitisation and key technologies in industry and chains</li><li>Smart Food Production – sustainable, smart and future-proof food systems</li><li>MedTech &amp; Prevention – affordable and accessible healthcare through technological innovation</li><li>Smart Energy – integrated and decentralised energy systems for the energy transition</li><li>Circular – circular chains that contribute to broad prosperity</li><li>Defence &amp; Dual-use Technology – strengthening security and strategic autonomy (cross-thematic)</li></ul><p>Within these six themes, partners in the region, the Netherlands and Europe are working together on concrete projects, ecosystems and propositions.</p>

Working together on innovation with impact

<h2>How we work</h2><p>Think East Netherlands:</p><ul style="list-style-type:disc;"><li style="tab-stops:list 36.0pt;">connects regional ecosystems with national and European programmes;</li><li style="tab-stops:list 36.0pt;">organises cooperation between government, business and education;</li><li style="tab-stops:list 36.0pt;">helps scale up innovations from pilot to practice;</li><li style="tab-stops:list 36.0pt;">positions the innovative strength of our region in The Hague and Brussels</li></ul><p>The provinces of Gelderland and Overijssel do this together with Oost NL, the economic boards, cluster organisations, knowledge institutions and entrepreneur networks. See here which partners together form Think East Netherlands.&nbsp;</p><h2>Join us</h2><p style="background-color:white;line-height:125%;">Innovation begins when you connect initiatives.&nbsp;</p><p style="background-color:white;line-height:125%;">We invite you to work with us to create a strong, innovative and future-proof East Netherlands. Contribute your ideas on strategic innovation propositions, explore joint opportunities within our six themes and work with us to strengthen the region's position in the Netherlands and Europe.</p><p>Get in touch with us.<br>Please contact Vera Leonhart<br>Programme Manager Think East Netherlands<br>&nbsp;</p>

About us

Working together on innovation with impact

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