State of Innovation 2025 Sparks Growth Discussions in Utrecht
Utrecht, Tuesday, 13 May 2025.
Utrecht’s State of Innovation 2025 convened stakeholders to discuss growth from startup to scale-up, launching regional dashboards for advancing innovation and fostering collaboration.
Gathering of Regional Innovation Leaders
The iconic Villa Jongerius in Utrecht played host to more than 125 executives, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and educational institution representatives, all united in their mission to strengthen the region’s innovation ecosystem [1]. The event, centered on the theme ‘From startup to scale-up,’ explored critical pathways for sustainable business growth and the creation of a robust establishment climate in the Utrecht region [1].
Strategic Insights and New Tools
A significant highlight of the event was the presentation of new regional dashboards by Arjan van den Born, marking five years of ROM’s progress. These tools provide crucial insights into innovation potential, growth opportunities, and economic performance metrics [1]. In her keynote address, Barbara Baarsma emphasized Utrecht’s strategic positioning, advocating for increased R&D investments and enhanced collaboration with educational institutions across vocational, professional, and academic levels [1].
Innovation Initiatives and Regional Collaboration
The event marked the launch of several key initiatives, including the Startup & Scale-up Monitor 2024 and the Factsheet Female Entrepreneurship 2024 [1]. A panel discussion featuring prominent business leaders including Toon Overbeeke from Vitestro, Kitty Smeeten of Hands Off, and Michiel Muller from Picnic explored critical requirements for business growth [1]. Municipal representatives Anja Vijselaar and Walter van Dijk provided insights into regional cooperation and innovation policy implementation [1].