Dutch Industry Leaders Urge Political Focus on Innovation
The Hague, Friday, 27 June 2025.
Dutch top sectors call for innovation to drive economic growth and sustainability, urging clear government policies. They highlight innovation’s crucial role in technological advancements and addressing societal challenges.
A Unified Call for Innovation Policy
In an unprecedented move, Dutch top sectors have banded together, urging political leaders to strategically center innovation in the forthcoming coalition agreement. The directors of the Top Consortia for Knowledge and Innovation (TKIs) emphasize that the current political climate provides a unique opportunity to reorient policies towards a future driven by innovation and economic resilience. As such, their letter delivers a clear message: prioritize transformative policies that support technological and sustainable growth [1].
Stagnation and Strategic Opportunities
The call to action arises from a critical analysis of the Netherlands’ current innovation standing, which remains below the European Union’s target of 3% of GDP investment in innovation. Without bolstered resources and clear strategic directives, particularly in key technology sectors such as AI, quantum computing, and cybersecurity, the Netherlands risks falling behind both economically and geopolitically [1].
Public-Private Collaboration: A Path Forward
TKI directors argue for enhanced public-private partnerships as essential mechanisms for effectively leveraging public funds. Historical data indicates that every euro of public subsidy has successfully attracted two to four euros of private investment, underscoring the significance of these collaborative frameworks. The inclusion of a national investment bank among proposed financial instruments reflects the sectors’ commitment to focused, scalable innovation support [1].
Strategic Calls and Policy Implications
As the Netherlands prepares for national elections in October 2025, the directors highlight this period as a strategic moment for integrating innovation-led growth policies into governance frameworks. Recommendations advanced by the Acceleratie Maatschappelijk Verdienvermogen steering group include broadening access to venture capital and crafting tailor-made co-financing solutions to cultivate a robust innovation ecosystem [1].