Saxion and Oost NL Join Forces to Boost East Netherlands Innovation
Enschede, Saturday, 6 July 2024.
Saxion University and Oost NL have signed a new agreement to intensify their collaboration, aiming to create greater regional impact in East Netherlands. The partnership focuses on supporting startups, attracting research subsidies, and optimizing talent utilization to drive innovation and economic growth.
Strengthening Regional Collaboration
The new agreement between Saxion University and Oost NL was formalized during the Saxion Research Conference on 4 July 2024 in Deventer. Anka Mulder, Chair of Saxion’s Board, and Theo Föllings, Director of Business Development at Oost NL, signed the agreement, marking a pivotal step towards deeper collaboration. The focus is on maximizing the impact of their combined efforts in innovation and economic development across the East Netherlands region.
Focus on Startups and Spin-offs
One of the core areas of this intensified collaboration is the support for startups and spin-offs. Through various programs and growth financing initiatives, Saxion and Oost NL aim to nurture new businesses. Learning communities, centers of expertise, and field labs will play crucial roles in addressing the needs of companies in the region, offering them the knowledge and talent they require to thrive.
Securing Research Funding and Talent Optimization
Another significant aspect of the partnership is the joint effort to secure research and entrepreneurship subsidies. By working together, Saxion and Oost NL plan to attract substantial funding that will benefit the region’s growth sectors, such as AI, photonics, and quantum technologies. Additionally, the collaboration aims to better utilize the talent pool developed at Saxion, enhancing opportunities for lifelong learning and career development.
Impact on Regional Economy
Anka Mulder emphasized the historical success of the collaboration between Saxion and Oost NL, particularly in areas like student enterprises and subsidy applications. The new agreement builds on this foundation, aiming to provide even greater benefits to the regional economy. ‘We are both here for the region: students and businesses alike. It’s great that we are taking this next step,’ said Mulder.
Four Action Lines for Future Growth
Theo Föllings outlined the four main action lines of the renewed collaboration: supporting Saxion startups, joint subsidy applications, enhancing network connections, and optimizing talent utilization. By combining Saxion’s academic expertise with Oost NL’s growth and European collaboration capabilities, the partnership aims to foster innovation and new product development within the region.
Preparing for Future Challenges
The partnership also addresses the critical need to prepare the East Netherlands region for future challenges. By leveraging Saxion’s educational programs and research capabilities, along with Oost NL’s business development strategies, the collaboration aims to ensure that the region remains at the forefront of innovation. This includes addressing social challenges and supporting companies with ambitious growth plans.
Conclusion
The collaboration between Saxion University and Oost NL represents a significant commitment to fostering innovation and economic growth in East Netherlands. By supporting startups, securing research funding, and optimizing talent utilization, the partnership aims to create a thriving regional ecosystem that can tackle future challenges and drive sustainable development.