Dublin and Copenhagen: Europe's Leading Innovation Hubs
Amsterdam, Wednesday, 10 September 2025.
Dublin and Copenhagen are highlighted as key innovation centers in Europe, offering valuable insights on collaboration and support structures that can benefit the Netherlands’ innovation ecosystem.
The Rise of Dublin and Copenhagen as Innovation Hubs
Dublin and Copenhagen have firmly established themselves as leading innovation hubs in Europe. Janet from ROM InWest highlights how these cities have become pivotal centers for entrepreneurship by fostering robust ecosystems where government, investors, knowledge institutions, and businesses collaborate closely [1].
Collaboration: The Key to Success
The success of Dublin and Copenhagen lies in their strong belief in collaboration. In both cities, a concerted effort among various stakeholders ensures that innovative startups, scale-ups, and SMEs thrive only when the entire ecosystem functions effectively. This collaborative approach is seen as the lifeblood of an innovative economy, actively applying knowledge to drive societal impact [1].
Lessons for the Netherlands
Janet’s insights from Dublin and Copenhagen offer valuable lessons for the Netherlands. By observing the strategies implemented in these hubs, the Netherlands can enhance its local innovation initiatives. This involves strengthening support structures and collaboration across sectors to accelerate the growth of businesses with societal impact [1].
The Role of Current Innovation Programs
Programs like the WBSO in Ireland emphasize the importance of facilitating technological advancements through tax credits for research and development. Similarly, the Netherlands can benefit from such frameworks, which support companies in their R&D efforts, as demonstrated in the recent WBSO session held on 8 September 2025 [2].