The ݮƵ Institute for Nanotechnology(WIN)at the University of ݮƵ (UݮƵ)andthe economic development agency of Brainport Eindhovenin the Netherlands have taken another step towardsbringing ݮƵ’s top nanotechnology innovations to the EU market.
The City of ݮƵ and Eindhoven embarked on a strategic partnership in 2014which paved the way for this historic agreement that aims tofoster rapid commercialization and support early start-ups from WIN.It is natural forthetwo cities to come together for this – in 2011,Eindhoven was named the world’s smartest community by the IntelligentCommunity Forum (ICF),an honour ݮƵ received in 2007.
“With thispartnership, we are bringing in otherhigh-tech firmswithin the Eindhoven ecosystem,” said Johann Beelen, international business development manager for BrainportDevelopment.“We’re pleased to welcome bothHighTechXL and PhotonDeltato therelationshipwithWIN,further expanding the involvement of companies here in the Netherlands with the exciting work coming out ofthe institute.”
“Thispartnershipwill allow ourUݮƵresearchers and affiliated spin-offcompaniesto access the high-tech sector in the Netherlands and eventuallyreachtheEU markets,” said Sushanta Mitra,ExecutiveDirector of WIN and Professor at the University of ݮƵ.
Although WIN is spearheading this new endeavour, it is open broadly to the University of ݮƵ community.
The first step the parties will take together is to organize a $90,000joint innovation partnership competition to support the early stages of applied research that can be developed to become commercially viable technologies. A maximum of threeprojectswill be awarded,and each will have a Principal Investigator from WIN and a partner from the Brainport ecosystem.
"We look forward to establishing a robust pipeline of knowledge economy between Canada and the Netherlands. Thanks to all of our partners for coming on this journey of innovation with UW." - Sushanta Mitra, Executive Director of WIN
“The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy fully supports this type of cooperation, and our Netherlands Innovation Network stimulates international collaborations between companies, research institutes, and public authorities in the fields of innovation, technology, and science. This new strategic cooperation between the Canadian and Dutch ecosystems on nanotechnology and photonics is a perfect example of such international collaboration on innovation and will foster more cooperation in this field. I trust a large number of partnerships will form between the existing companies and startups in the Canadian and Dutch ecosystems, both in R&D and commercial. I congratulate all parties involved in this MoU: the University ofݮƵ, the ݮƵ Institute for Nanotechnology,PhontonDelta,HighTechXL, and Brainport Eindhoven.” - FoccoVijselaar, Director General for Enterprise and Innovation
The economic development agency of Brainport Eindhovenisan innovativeecosystem in Southeast Brabant, consisting of a strong high-tech manufacturing industry, an extraordinary design sectorand a unique cooperative model. The knowledge-intensive manufacturing industry is characterized by small-scaleproduction of technically complex products. Brainport Eindhovenalsohas a vibrant creative industry,with a unique cooperative modelwhichoffers lots of opportunities for innovative startupsof all kinds.
"With this partnership, Brainport Eindhoven: “Home of pioneers,” will strengthen their ecosystem with global partners. We herewith support our SMEs and two important tech incubators and clusters, HighTechXL and PhotonDelta, and welcome future Canadian companies. Let’s create successful stories and new businesses!" - Paul van Nunen, Director of Brainport Development
Anationalfoundationheadquartered inEindhoven,PhotonDelta istasked to accelerate the growth of the integratedphotonics industry. This is achieved throughinvestmentsin photonicinnovationsfor next generation applications. PhotonDelta is an ecosystem that brings together companies, universities, research institutes, investorsandgovernmentsthat contribute tothe uptake ofintegrated photonics in products and solutions. Together, they form a commercially successful value chain at the heartof Europe that is able to design, develop and manufacture innovative solutions that will help overcome today’s societaland technological challenges.
"The acceleration of solutions based on integrated photonics is crucial to manage today’s societal challenges. PhotonDelta is excited to expand the integrated photonics ecosystem and create new businesses based on the innovative intellectual property from ݮƵ Institute for Nanotechnology together with Brainport and HighTechXL. We are looking forward to this promising collaboration with which we will speed up the adoption of integrated photonic solutions in the world." - Ewit Roos, CEO of PhotonDelta
HighTechXL is adeep-tech venture builderalsobased in Eindhoven. Building upon promising technologies and strongentrepreneurial teams, ventures are created that have a positiveimpact on grand challenges the world faces today.HighTechXL closely collaborates with the unique Brainport ecosystem and partners across the globe. To achievethis impact on society, entrepreneurial talents are empowered and inspired to reach theirfullpotentialandinspireothers to do the same.
"Teaming up with the ݮƵ Institute for Nanotechnology and its ecosystem is a first-rate opportunity to build more impactful deep-tech ventures as we unite technology and entrepreneurial talents from Canada and The Netherlands." - John Bell, CEO of HighTechXL
ݮƵ Institute for Nanotechnology
The ݮƵ Institute for Nanotechnology (WIN) is Canada’s largest nanotechnology institute committed to United Nations’ Sustainability Development Goals. WIN is a global leader in discovering and developing smart and functional materials, connected devices, next generation energy systems and therapeutics andtheranostics. These discoveries by our scientists and engineers are fundamentally changing our world and helping solve some of humanity's most pressing issues.