The 2009 annual report for Kennispark Twente highlights the successful establishment of an innovation environment fostering high-tech entrepreneurship through collaborations with various partners, including the University of Twente. Significant achievements include national recognition as an innovation campus and the launch of the Open Innovation Centre, driving economic growth and supporting student entrepreneurship. The report emphasizes ongoing efforts in promoting entrepreneurship education, supporting startup companies, and facilitating innovation to create new job opportunities in the region.

1. The Power of the Combination
2009 Annual Report

3. Contents
4 Foreword by Kees Eijkel, CEO of Kennispark Twente
6 Kennispark Twente is on the up
8 Entrepreneurship is second nature at the UT
10 Nominations and awards in 2009
12 Entrepreneurship
14 Talent for entrepreneurship
16 Interview: FAME scheme is a significant step for student enterprise
18 Successful start
20 Successful growth
22 Interview: It is all about long hours in the US
24 TOP places in 2009
26 Innovation
28 From idea to business
28 Knowledge transfer
29 Facility sharing
29 Interview: TPRC underlines UT’s great expertise
32 Events and meetings
34 Area
36 Room for entrepreneurship
37 Events and meetings
38 Guidance in locating business premises
39 Interview: Kennispark - a unique area in Enschede
40 Results of Kennispark Twente
42 Publication details
43 Partners
2 3

4. Foreword The power of the combination
Creating an environment in which Internationally, Kennispark Twente is also
every ingredient is present for succes- working to build its reputation, and its
sful high-tech enterprise and innova- name, despite not being translated, is
tion. Combining the right elements surprisingly well known among internatio-
and the right partners. The power of nal contacts. In Melbourne (Australia), they
the combination: that is what it is all were so impressed by our system that we
about. And this is what we have seen have been asked to be a formal consultant
once again over the last year. to the largest park in Australia, labelling
us a ‘benchmark project in the global
The combination of different partners, arena’. This, too, is the result of the right
such as the research institutes at the combination of, in this case, Enschede
University of Twente, BTC Twente, NIKOS, municipal council, the Province of Overijs-
Innovation Platform Twente and our sel, the University of Twente and, since
founding fathers, has ensured that we recently, Saxion University of Applied
have been able to make significant Sciences.
progress in 2009. An example of this
progress was the approval of the Master In this annual report, we are delighted to
Plan for the Development of Kennispark take you through the various factors that
Twente in January 2009. The launch of the make Kennispark Twente the place to be
open innovation centre with Stork Fokker, for high-tech entrepreneurs: ideas for new
Ten Cate, Boeing and the University of businesses, business development
Twente is another. These companies were support facilities, talent, meetings and an
looking for an enterprising area with inspiring environment. We will happily
substantial knowledge, and they found it share with you the highlights of 2009 and
in Twente. At the end of 2009, Kennispark the power of the combination in Twente.
Twente was also officially recognised as an
innovation campus of national importance
to the Netherlands, alongside Food Valley, Kees Eijkel
the High Tech Campus and the BioScience- CEO Kennispark Twente
park in Leiden. We and our partners can
be proud of this acknowledgement. We
have worked hard to achieve it.
Kennispark Twente Team
4 5

5. Kennispark Twente is on the up
Things are really on the up for Kennis- The members of the steering committee Close collaboration Saxion has 22,000 students, of whom
park Twente. National recognition as one – Carry Abbenhues (representative of the For Carry Abbenhues, the involvement of 14,000 study in Enschede. The impor-
of the five innovation campuses in the province of Overijssel) Ineke van Olde- these market partners is critical. tance of Twente as an economic and
Netherlands, a unique, open innovation niel (member of the Board of Governors Kennispark Twente is a long-term project, residential base for Saxion is evident.
centre with internationally operating at Saxion), Eric Helder (councillor in for which financial support from the Ineke van Oldeniel sees that the
companies, a growing number of start- Enschede) and Kees van Ast (vice-chair of business sector is vital. This also applies Kennispark is developing itself as an
ups working with the UT, the growing in- the Board of Governors at the University to area development and its physical engine for economic development in the
volvement of SMEs, and the space, which, of Twente) – draw this conclusion from aspects. “Moving forward in collaboration region. “The Kennispark is for everyone
administratively speaking, Twente has developments in 2009 with becoming with the business sector is increasingly in Twente, not just in Enschede.
given to the physical development of the modesty, but with great inner joy. important in order to continue to syste- Fortunately, that idea is increasingly get-
Kennispark and the economic develop- matically strengthen the region.” Support ting through to people.”
ment that goes with it, all help contribute Incubator from the Twente region, the increasing
to this. “Kennispark Twente is a complex pro- involvement of Saxion, the collaboration Strength
ject with many social aspects,” says Eric with Boeing, Koninklijke Ten Cate and It is key that the development of the
Helder. “In the initial stages, it is always Fokker Aerostructures. The allocation of Kennispark occupies a prominent place
difficult to highlight the use or impact €7 million from the Economic Stimulation on the political Agenda of Twente along
effectively. I have always seen Kennispark Fund for the High Tech Factory project by with the two other economical develop-
Twente as an incubator for economic MESA+. “That’s exactly why we’re doing ments at the airport and the ‘Heart of the
developments in Twente. The first results this. I have high expectations for the new South’ (incl. World Trade Center Twente).
are now visible. Take the open innovation business activities and employment op- That is a condition for sustained deve-
centre with Boeing, Stork Fokker, Ten portunities that will be created.” lopment in the long term. Kees van Ast:
Cate and the UT, for example, which is “Partners throughout society are beco-
being acknowledged at national and even Coalescing ming ever more involved in Kennispark
international level. That is very important Ineke van Oldeniel sees the coalescence Twente. The power of the combination is
for the trust of our market partners.” of the UT and Saxion as a significant the key term. We keep everything com-
advantage. “Saxion has added value for pact and aim for visibility. The Corridor is
the Kennispark. Technological innovation the building in which everything involving
The members of the steering committee – begins at the UT, but spin-offs often end innovation and entrepreneurship is con-
Carry Abbenhues (representative of the province of up with people at higher professional centrated. This will also occur later in the
Overijssel) Ineke van Oldeniel (member of the Board education level. We develop innovation Langezijds building. And not to forget, of
of Governors at Saxion), Eric Helder (councillor in programmes too. For some of these pro- course, the successes of the innovation
Enschede) and Kees van Ast (vice-chair of the Board grammes, it is better for us to collaborate institutes, or the Medical Imaging pro-
of Governors at the University of Twente) – draw this from the very start. In 2010, Saxion will gramme. We must allow knowledge from
conclusion from developments in 2009 with becoming be a valuable associate of Kennispark the UT to pervade the business sector.
6 modesty, but with great inner joy. Twente.” That is what leads to employment. That is 7
Kennispark Twente for you.”

6. coordination point for the first seven nanotechnology with our scientific
years of the EIT ICT Labs. NOKIA, knowledge and equipment. Strengthening
Ericsson, Alcatel, SAP, Philips and the the nano-industry in Twente is one of our
Entrepreneurship is second nature at the UT three Dutch universities of technology in key objectives.”
Eindhoven, Delft and Enschede will
develop strategies in a very extensive Venturelab Twente
Innovative successes are piling up. Internationally, the six research institutes at the University of Twen- programme with an annual subsidy of For Sjoerd van Tongeren of the IGS, the
te have achieved key successes. The number of spin-off companies is increasing steadily. The directors €30 million to help “get technologically establishment of the VentureLab Twente
of each institute are doing their utmost to optimise the valorisation together with Kennispark Twente. innovative products into the business in 2009 signified the birth of a new
And there you have the key word: valorisation. Described by one director as: “how our knowledge rea- sector” more rapidly. Iddo Bante: “This is instrument that offers starting UT
ches society.” European innovation par excellence. entrepreneurs the possibility of becoming
There will be numerous opportunities for more successful as an entrepreneur in
truly enterprising ICT students. The society. “Technologists are not always the
“Entrepreneurship is in the UT’s blood. began as managing director in 2009, is foundation is the knowledge and exper- best business people. They’re too orien-
But I have the feeling that the innovative dedicated to “unlocking the expertise that tise within the UT. Kennispark Twente ted towards technology. Starting a
potential of the UT can be used even is often hidden within the UT”. “At will be a stepping stone to a more business is actually a social activity.
more,” says Martijn Kuit, managing IMPACT, we don’t come up with anything prominent position for the UT within VentureLab Twente is looking for entre-
director of MIRA, the institute for ourselves,” he says. “We translate Europe, with SMEs occupying a very preneurs who want to use technology to
biomedical technology, since 2009. “The expertise into business activities. How important place. The directors of all our make their company bigger. While the
Board provides encouragement where can we make the enormous expertise of biggest companies unanimously acknow- fundamental research carried out at the
possible. Kennispark Twente is the the UT more accessible to the business ledge that without SMEs, these plans UT is vital, it has to be translated into
catalyst in the valorisation process. If we sector? The challenge for 2010 is to learn could not be achieved.” practice in a business situation. You need
can tap every source within the UT, we even more than we do now about what tools for this, tools which have been
can experience many exciting things in the UT has to offer. The development of High-Tech Factory developed on the basis of knowledge of
the future.” spin-off companies is continuing unaba- For MESA+, the most important activity is social sciences.”
ted at high levels and has done so for the High-Tech Factory. This production
Employment more than 10 years. For every euro from facility for companies in micro and Product development
In 2009, MIRA took a major step forward the UT, we double it in the market. We are nanotechnology receives subsidies Society is not made up of technology but
with the Centre for Medical Imaging, a focused more on attracting big compa- totalling more than €11 million from the of people who apply technology. Oscar
joint venture with Siemens and the UMC nies such as Philips Drachten, BP and Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Province Peters of the IBR knows this better than
Groningen. Martijn Kuit: “I expect an Shell, without, of course, losing sight of of Overijssel and the Twente region. anyone. Launching a particular product is
enormous amount of technological the smaller spin-offs.” Managing director Miriam Luizink: “We all about an acceptance process. “We do
innovation from this major alliance. Top will focus on the development of produc- not have products as such that we launch
Technology for the Patient. In 2011, this Kennispark Twente as a stepping tion processes, the establishment of an ourselves. We supply the market. I have
CMI will also be physically located in stone to a more prominent position equipment fund, to support companies noticed that the realisation is growing
Kennispark Twente, leading to an in Europe within and outside the UT. We will that products should ultimately be
immediate creation of jobs. For Iddo Bante, managing director of primarily try to help smaller SMEs that intended to increase the well-being of
CTIT, there was one undisputed highlight find it difficult to attract funding. Where people and society. The IBR are increasin-
Attracting big companies in 2009: the European Institute of possible, we will try to facilitate compa- gly involved, also at the beginning of a
Jan Emmerzaal of IMPACT, who also Technology (EIT) made the UT the nies based in Twente that work with product development process.”
8 9

7. Nominations and awards in 2009
Young Technology Award 2009
Nominations for
Deloitte Fast 50 for fast-growing
Blue4Green Erik Staijen Eastern Netherlands in the engineering companies
Innovation Top 100
This is the fourth consecutive year in which 10%
Nominated of candidates listed consisted of companies
StatiqCooling Rijssen from Twente.
Top 30 knowledge and
Smart Signs Solutions, Xiophotonics, research institutes in Technisch
Twee R Recycling, Mobihealth and Capzo International Ootmarsum Bizz Design Academy Enschede Weekblad magazine
Steray.
Sqills Enschede, established by two former Nr. 6 MESA+
students from the UT ODS2 Enschede
Simon Stevin Meesterschap Nr. 8 ITC
ODS2 Enschede
Professor Detlef Lohse Nr. 9 CTIT
University of Twente TSI Solutions Enschede, spin-off
University of Twente
Nr. 12 IMPACT
UT van den Kroonenberg Prijs Webprint Oldenzaal, winnaar
Rising Start Twente, 2007 Nr. 23 Telematica Institute
Entrepreneurship
Sigmax NWO Spinozapremie
Xsens Technologies Enschede,
spin-off University of Twente
Prof. dr. ir. A. (Albert) van den Berg
University of Twente
10 11

8. Entrepreneurship
The entrepreneurial University of Twente (UT) is a breeding ground for
new ideas, innovation and new technology. The perfect seed bed for
entrepreneurship. For the last 25 years, the UT has actively encouraged
its scientists, students and doctoral students to be enterprising.
Innovative entrepreneurs are the foundations on which economic
progress is built.
12 13

9. Education in entrepreneurship
UT students also look for knowledge
Entrepreneurship concerning entrepreneurship within the
curriculum of the education programmes
at the university. In 2009-2010,
The enterprising region a compulsory subject focusing on 35 students participated in the minor in
In the Netherlands, the University of entrepreneurship was developed in 2009, Entrepreneurship and 27 students
Twente leads the way in creating spin-off which students in all faculties will follow enrolled for the master track in Innova-
companies. Up until now, the UT has during their Bachelor’s phase. tion & Entrepreneurship. skills during workshops. Some 100
spawned more than 700 companies, with enterprising students took part in this
the total still growing. Since 2006, the UT In addition, the Career Center Twente Student entrepreneurship annual event.
has worked with Enschede municipal organises monthly get-togethers at which In collaboration with the Student Union,
council (on behalf of Network City) and students can get to know companies Kennispark Twente provides support to During a speed-dating dinner in May,
the Province of Overijssel to encourage based in Twente. On behalf of Kennispark enterprising students at the University of student entrepreneurs were given the
entrepreneurship and innovation in the Twente, a young company explains about Twente through the platform opportunity to meet other such students
Twente region. This joint venture is called entrepreneurship as a career option and Studentondernemer.nl. This platform has as well as entrepreneurs from Twente
Kennispark Twente. about working for an SME after gradua- 76 student entrepreneurs currently who have recently set up businesses.
tion. registered, with an estimated number of Some 30 entrepreneurs exchanged
Kennispark Twente revolves around the some 150 active within the university. experiences and got acquainted with one
creation of an environment in which another.
knowledge- intensive entrepreneurship In the past year, more than 100 requests
and innovation can be optimally utilised; NIKOS for assistance have been submitted to the
an environment in which new business Education in entrepreneurship is coordinator for student entrepreneurship.
activities can start and develop. The aim provided by the Dutch Institute for These requests vary from help in looking UT News, 17 September 2009
is to create 10,000 new, high-quality jobs Knowledge-Intensive Entrepreneurship for office space to legal support. In 2009,
for the Twente region. (NIKOS), which is part of the School of seven student entrepreneurs transferred Spin-off Blue4Green wins an award
Management and Governance. This to the TOP scheme after graduation. In
Talent for entrepreneurship institute covers areas such as educa- doing so, they took the first step towards
On the evening of 5 November, UT alumnus
tion, research, business development launching their careers as entrepreneurs.
Erik Staijen from the spin-off Blue4Green took
Everything begins with talent for entre- support and the interface between
preneurship and the awareness of them. NIKOS facilitates the TOP scheme In addition to providing substantial home the Young Technology Award. In the
entrepreneurship as a career option - the and VentureLab Twente for Kennispark support, Studentondernemer.nl also Prismare Theatre in the Roombeek district of
Entrepreneurship
seeds of which are sown during the Twente, both of which form part of the organises events for student entrepre- Enschede, the jury chose his lab-on-a-chip
period of study at the University of basis of research into methods and neurs, such as the student entrepreneur invention from six nominations as ‘the most
Twente. techniques to support entrepreneur- day held in May in collaboration with the convincing product’. The award, a cheque for
ship. Chamber of Commerce and Saxion Young five thousand euros and a glass trophy, is in-
Entrepreneurship as a career option Business Professionals. During this day, tended for young companies from the province
As part of the strategic vision at the student entrepreneurs learned about
of Overijssel that have their own in-house
University of Twente (Route ’14), support possibilities and developed their
technology.
14 15

10. UT News, 3 September 2009
FAME scheme up and running FAME scheme isis krachtig instrument
FAME-regeling a significant step for student enterprise
During the opening of the academic year, the
first place on the FAME scheme was awarded During ten Route Suc66 sessions, For Wessel Draijer of the Student Union, the creation of the FAME
established and successful entrepreneurs scheme is by far the most important achievement of 2009. “It is a
to Menno van der Werff from the company
shared their experiences on the road to wonderful instrument with which to combine studying and student
Wame. The FAME scheme for enterprising
success with 50 or so student entrepre- enterprise. The UT is the first university in the Netherlands to offer
students was officially launched on Monday. In neurs and students with entrepreneurial students this kind of systematic support in combining study and
doing so, the UT is the first university to offer ambitions. entrepreneurship.”
students systematic support in combining their
studies and their businesses. FAME scheme
The FAME scheme was officially launched
at the opening of the UT’s academic year Wessel Draijer estimates that there are Applicants must go through a rigorous
on 1 September 2009. While compara- between 100 and 150 students involved in selection procedure, however. They must
ble to a study scheme for professional a small company in one form or another. be able to show that they excel at both
sportsmen and women, FAME revolves “Most begin in their third year, and while I their studies and their business, that they
around the offer of guidance in running couldn’t say what the actual numbers are, have a sound business plan and they must
a business and following a study pro- I would say that they are definitely guarantee to show progress in their study
gramme. FAME offers student entrepre- growing.” programmes.
neurs systematic support and guidance The difficulty of combining study with
regarding study progress and the pos- running a business is most apparent Employment
sibility of arranging an interest-free loan. during the graduation period. Wessel “And not unimportantly,” says Wessel
Two student enterprises are currently Draijer: “The students have to choose Draijer, “they must declare a willingness
using the scheme, which is established in between graduating or continuing with to remain in the region with their com-
cooperation with the Rabobank Enschede- their companies. Combining the two is pany after they graduate. This is key to
Haaksbergen and the Student Union. virtually impossible. But FAME provides a Kennispark Twente, one of the reasons
solution to that problem.” being that they want to stimulate employ-
ment opportunities in Twente.” WAME and
Mentor Goal Gorilla were the first two companies
Student entrepreneurs who are admitted to make use of the FAME scheme in 2009,
Entrepreneurship
to the scheme get assigned a mentor and, with another two expected to join in the
if required, advice in various fields from coming academic year.
Kennispark Twente. They can also secure
a €10,000 interest-free loan.
16 17

11. Successful start Incubator BTC-Twente At the end of 2009, 69 companies were
2009 also saw close collaboration located in the BTC building and the
To actually make a successful start is not between Kennispark Twente and BTC- buildings managed by BTC-Twente
easy, even if you have a good idea for a Twente, the oldest incubator in the (Capitool 50, Tpoint, Novay and The
company and you have the requisite entre- Netherlands. BTC-Twente provides space Corridor) under one tenancy agreement.
preneurial knowledge. Kennispark Twente and services to small and medium-sized Due to the financial crisis, occupancy
provides support in starting up new busines- business that wish to establish themsel- rates were lower in 2009 than in previous
ses with a range of different schemes. ves in the vicinity of the UT. As an years. In the BTC building, the average
incubator, BTC provides services, such as occupancy rate was more than 68%. In the
25 years of TOP coaching and guidance, to entrepreneurs other buildings this varied from 75% to
TOP stands for Tijdelijke Ondernemers starting a business. In addition, the more than 94%.
Plaats [Temporary Place for Entrepreneurs] network meetings that BTC organises
and is a scheme that organises the basic contribute to Kennispark Twente’s
funding and coaching for start-ups. In objectives. The monthly entrepreneurs’
addition, start-ups can also use the facilities get-together (BTC Café) is a good
of the department with which their company example of this.
is affiliated. A total of 27 people were given
a TOP place in 2009, 25 of whom qualified Since October 2009, BTC-Twente has
as technostarters. 2009 saw the 25th been managing The Corridor, which is
anniversary of the TOP scheme and in acting as a pilot location during the TC Tubantia, 7 November 2009
December 2009, NIKOS organised a festive redevelopment phase of the Langezijds
reunion with TOP businesses and partners, building. BTC-Twente will fulfil its
which was attended by some 100 people. In November 2009, VentureLab Twente also incubator function in this new building Twente’s promising projects
received the NBIA Soft Landings Internatio- and may also participate as an operating entice the sharpest minds
VentureLab Twente nal Incubator status from a panel of partner in the redevelopment of
In collaboration with NIKOS and Saxion’s experienced business incubator managers. Langezijds into The Gallery.
Knowledge Centre for Innovative Entrepre- This programme acknowledges incubators A print factory for blood vessels and organs,
neurship, the VentureLab Twente was also that help other international companies a pharmaceutical industry, an aviation school
launched in 2009. VentureLab Twente is a enter the Dutch market. and the development of biofuel for aircraft.
business development support programme Soon, this will all be possible in Twente. In the
for ambitious individuals and teams who The Legal Desk VentureLab Twente, dozens of ambitious plans
start a new business or reorganise an In 2008, Kennispark Twente launched a
such as these by entrepreneurs from all over
existing company within the programme, legal desk where young (student) entrepre-
the world are being hatched as we speak. The
the aim being to establish a high-tech, neurs can go with legal questions and where
fast-growing company. In May, an initial they can get examples of standard con-
aim: three thousand jobs for highly qualified
group of 18 entrepreneurs started in the tracts. The lawyer also assesses legal graduates.
pilot programme, to be followed in October documents drawn up by the entrepreneurs
by the first official group with 24 partici- themselves. In 2009, the lawyer was asked
pants. for support on 53 occasions, most of which
involved assessing the general terms and
18 conditions and standard contracts. 19

12. Technology Circle Twente At the end of May 2009, Kennispark
Every entrepreneur knows the importance Twente took part in the Silicon Summit in
of networking. In June 2009, the Techno- Palo Alto (USA), together with a number
logy Circle Twente (TKT) celebrated its of young entrepreneurs. B&M Business
25th anniversary with a gala dinner. In Development, Recore Systems, Micronit
honour of this anniversary, TKT and and Novulo participated in workshops
Kennispark Twente published a booklet designed to take a close look at their
entitled ‘Startfighters’, containing companies and their skills, and to provide
portraits of entrepreneurs with a unique networking opportunities. The job vacancy service on the Kennis-
tale to tell. park Twente website was continued in
Contact with talent 2009. This website enables Twente-based
Successful growth Growing companies need talented em- companies (particularly spin-offs) to
ployees. However, fast-growing SMEs are publish their vacancies for free. This site
Entrepreneurs often start up alone or with often overlooked by students and the was made known to the UT community
a companion, expanding as soon as companies do not yet have the resour- through adverts in the UT News.
business starts to go well. Kennispark ces to actively recruit them. Kennispark
Twente supports knowledge-intensive Twente, often in cooperation with Career
companies in developing their ambitions. Center Twente, facilitates contact with
talent in various ways.
International growth
Too few start-ups succeed in converting During the Twente Recruitment Days in
their innovative technologies into succes- October 2009, Kennispark Twente facilita-
sful global brands, products and compa- ted the participation of nine companies, UT News, 22 October 2009
nies. Through Embedded Coaching, all of which took part in Career Center
Kennispark Twente enables entrepreneurs Twente’s ‘Twenteplein’. Kennispark Twen-
to give their business strategy an interna- te also provided young entrepreneurs Minister praises innovative character
tional focus. This is achieved by making with the opportunity to present themsel- of the region
use of intensive expert coaching, an ves to students during the Bright Twente
extensive international network and an get-togethers. These get-togethers are
What exactly is the situation in terms of
individually tailored programme in Silicon organised by Career Center Twente and
Valley (USA) for a period of eight weeks. are aimed at giving students a chance to knowledge and innovation in the Nether-
Following a successful pilot in 2008, the get to know employers from the Twente lands? This was the question on Minister of
Embedded Coaching programme was region. Foreign Affairs Maxime Verhagen’s lips when
Entrepreneurship
housed at Kennispark Twente in 2009, he visited the BTC opposite the UT yester-
where attention centred on the design of day. Director Rob de Koning took him round
the organisation of Embedded Coaching. the complex where spin-offs from the UT
and other small businesses are located. The
Minister was impressed: “Twente is an excel-
lent example of investment in knowledge and
innovation”.
20 21

13. It is all about long hours in the US
It is all about hard work in the US. Late presentation for a group of venture capi- This was an experience the entrepreneurs
to bed, early to rise. And all manner of talists at the Summit. That is a significant would not have missed for the world.
activities in the period in between, all accomplishment in itself. He failed to “This offer, this chance had added value
part of doing business. “It was long day win “despite a formidable performance”, and worked as catalyst,” say the partici-
again today. Sleep is not a favourite hobby here; we were told that a according to Paul Heysters. In addition pants.
72- hour work week is not unusual. However, I have the idea that to being a useful experience, the Silicom
‘working’ is a fairly broad notion here,” writes Paul Heysters of Recore Summit also provided the opportunity to
Systems in the diary he kept during the Silicom Summit trip to Silicon establish business contacts.
Valley organised by Kennispark Twente at the beginning of June 2009. Recore Systems has already been able
to attract borrowed capital through a
venture capitalist (source: Iddo Bante at
It was with the following objectives that approach to the sales process is slightly CTIT, see further in this annual report).
Kennispark Twente organised the mission different. It appears in this respect that The Twente-based entrepreneurs also
to Silicon Valley: to apply an international networking is very important here, and to found it a very positive experience to be
focus, to learn from the examples in a certain extent ‘you are who you know’.” able to make contacts with other Dutch
Silicon Valley, to expand the international Jaap Beernink goes on: “Today, I have two delegates with ambitions to expand into
network and, in particular, to take a meetings planned, the first is a breakfast the US.
closer look at company strategy. Four meeting, which suits me perfectly, by the
entrepreneurs were part of the delega- way. I might try to introduce it in the Ne- Access to a network
tion: Paul Heysters (Recore Systems), Jaap therlands. Here, business is often done in Part of the programme on the trip was a
Beernink (B&M Business Development), cafes and restaurants anyway. At 8 a.m. visit to the PlugAndPlay centre: a good
Frank Wille (Novulo) and Ronny van ’t the cafes are full with breakfast meetings example of an American incubator with a
Oever (Micronit). “This type of mission and this is also true at lunchtime.” renowned office garden. “The great value
contributes to your development as an of PlugAndPlay is not the space that they
entrepreneur: how do I present myself, Selling yourself in one pitch lease but the access that you gain to a
how does the investment climate operate, Pitching should be common practice for huge network of venture capitalists and
what is the situation in the US,” says one entrepreneurs who want to do business partners in the American market. Each
Entrepreneurship
of the participants. in the US. The Twente delegation expe- week, pitches are given by companies and
rienced dozens of pitches, followed trai- you can visit the big venture capitalists
You are who you know ning courses, and worked on their own whenever you want. You can also make
Networking is also a key part of doing presentations, often into the small hours, continual use of experienced business
business in the US. “However,” says Ron- without ever knowing if they would be as- mentors who help you brainstorm about,
nie van ‘t Oever, “the way of doing busi- ked to ‘tell their story’. But sure enough, say, your business model and put their
ness here is very different to Europe, the Ronnie van ‘t Oever was chosen to hold a network at your disposal,” says Jaap.
22 23

14. Blue4Green
Daan Sistermans
TOP
Places
AKO
Lightmotif Engineering
Jeroen van Tienhoven Albert Koopman Kryoz
Technologies
De Hoon
Avions Voisin
Lievaart
Meulenbelt
SeeEzi
Elisa Gielen
Paul Jenkins
SocialMine
Dennis Doubovski
in 2009 Cooll BV
Johannes Burger
Meijer
Amitek Model
Factory In 2009, 27 people were given a TOP place..
Rob Wermenbol Inertia
Van der Zouw
Technology
Marin-Perianu
Talent,
Distimo Mylife Praktijk voor
Remco van der Elzen Technologies kind en jeugd
Vincent Hoogsteder Inpression Bystrova Mariët Reesink Dynteq
Ruben Heerdink Michiel van der Kwast Markvoort
Lenferink
Haverslag
Entrepreneurship
ELS Company Agrawal Ecolabs MobiHealth BV
Els Holland SMC Pramod Agrawal Knoppel
Wolbers
24 25

15. Innovation
Innovative businesses ensure a flexible and vital economy and new
employment. In the new knowledge economy, the importance of rapid
interpretation, exchange and application of up-to-date knowledge in new
products and technologies is increasing. Kennispark Twente provides
more knowledge transfer and collaboration between knowledge institutes
and companies.
27

16. work placement or graduation assign- Innovation vouchers
ments, student entrepreneurs, as well as With the SenterNovem innovation vou-
departments and professors. Since it cher, SMEs can gain knowledge by
Innovation began two years ago, the SKP has submitting a research assignment to a
received 346 requests for knowledge - in- knowledge institute. The results of the
cluding 115 requests in 2009 - from 290 assignment can be used within the
From idea to business different companies. Only 7% of these company to revamp products, processes
requests were not linked to a spin-off, or services. In 2009, 22 innovation
Business Development department or UT student. vouchers were submitted to the UT.
Many new technologies and ideas are
born at the University of Twente. Since Science Shop Facility Sharing
2009, the UT has had a Business Develop- This has resulted in attracting invest- The UT Science Shop (Wewi) is the link
ment team in place at the institutes ments, protection through patents, between the university and society. The In 2007, Kennispark Twente started with
coordinated by Kennispark Twente. This subsidies such as valorisation grants and Wewi provides services to social organisa- Facility Sharing projects, which involves
team supports the invention, develop- agreements concerning the transfer of tions, interest groups, individuals and making university equipment and
ment and transfer of ideas that could lead intellectual property. SMEs that need scientific research carried facilities available. Start-ups can use
to business. out or require expert knowledge such as these, for example, to conduct tests, do
Patents that available at the UT. In 2009, the research in a specific environment or
Key tasks are: A key element of the work done by the Wewi conducted the same number of equip a pilot production location. The
• scouting & screening of research into Business Development team is the research projects as the year before: 17, MESA+ High-Tech Factory is one such
promising ideas; protection of promising knowledge, part of which 14 were published as public example.
• process supervision for the protection of which is through patent applications. reports and three embargoed. The
of intellectual property; The UT has a special Patent Fund aimed number of applications submitted rose High-Tech Factory
• spin-off development and ‘go-to- at enabling the knowledge developed from 73 in 2008 to 89 in 2009. The High-Tech Factory is a new produc-
market’, such as support in developing within the UT to transfer through to the tion facility on the UT campus. The old
a business plan, subsidies, contracts, business sector in greater quantities, The highlight for the Science Shop was university clean room is being converted
contacts, etc.); faster and more efficiently (at a reasona- the publication of the report ‘50 years of into a new production facility for compa-
• the transfer of opportunities for ble price). In 2009, 30 patent applications Christian Democratic Cooperation in the nies in the micro and nanotechnology
valorisation. were submitted, of which six received a EUREGIO’ in three different languages. sectors, enabling bulk production for the
contribution from the Patent Fund. The Dutch, English and German editions commercial market.
Business developers are active within the were presented to Mr Hans-Gert Pötte-
technical research institutes of the UT. In Knowledge transfer ring, chairman of the European Parlia- The companies involved are mostly
this way, they are close to the resear- ment, Prime Minister Jan-Peter Balkenen- spin-offs of MESA+, the Institute for
chers. This team is centrally managed by Student Knowledge Portal de and the European CDA party leader Nanotechnology. The arrival of this
Kennispark Twente. Since mid-2009, the The UT has various portals that enable Wim van de Camp. The report was written production facility enables them to focus
Innovation
team has charted some 70 inventions, SMEs and less resolute social organisati- by Shira Godfried, a Master’s student in on their operational management and
just under 50% of which are being actively ons to use the knowledge available at the European Studies. growth.
supervised. UT. The Student Knowledge Portal (SKP)
links requests from SMEs to experts at
the UT. These could be students with
28 29

17. After all, the necessary basic infrastruc-
Millions for high-tech factory ture has already been realised within the
High-Tech Factory. An equipment fund
On 13 July 2009, Maria van der Hoeven has also been formed, from which TPRC underlines UT’s expertise
(Minister for Economic Affairs) visited the UT companies can request the necessary
to hand over €11.6 million to Miriam Luizink, production equipment. In 2009, the
managing director of MESA+, for the High-Tech Factory received €11.6 to In June 2009, a very special open innovation centre opened at
High-Tech Factory. The High-Tech Factory support this equipment fund and to Kennispark Twente: the Thermoplastic Composites Research Centre
has already received a €4.4 million subsidy redevelop the production environment. (TPRC). Participants are the American airplane manufacturer
from the EA programme ‘Pieken in de Delta’ Boeing, Royal Ten Cate, Fokker Aerostructures and the UT. “It is
[Peaks in the Delta] and €2.2 million from the Thermoplastic Composites easy to see that this collaboration underlines the expertise in
province of Overijssel. The Ministry of EA will Research Center technological innovation at the UT,” says Pia Snijder, Boeing’s
Kennispark Twente is also dedicated to strategic director for Northern Europe and managing director of the
now contribute a further €7.6 million on
the development of open innovation TPRC.
condition that the province of Overijssel and
centres in which companies and the UT
the Twente region guarantee that they will
can collaborate on open innovation. In
underwrite the co-financing of another €
this way, the knowledge within the UT is The world’s biggest airplane manufactu- Employment
4 million, bringing the total available budget
also valorised and R&D activities and rer is working on the development of an The global network currently comprises
to €11.6 million.
employment opportunities in Twente extensive and diverse network of centres twelve innovation centres, none of which
created. Establishing such innovation for technological innovation, and in order overlap. Of those centres, only one focuses
centres involves intensive collaboration to do so, the company has developed a on the innovation of thermoplastic compo-
between Innovation Platform Twente and very special model, a world first. Pia Snij- sites and that is in Twente. And will be for
Oost NV. der: “They are open innovation centres, at least five years. Pia Snijder expects the
in which the participants contribute their TPRC to boost employment. “We intend to
On Friday 12 June 2009, members of the expertise in technology and finances to a involve SMEs in Twente wherever we can,
Boards of Boeing, Royal Ten Cate, Stork separate company. Boeing does not have which is one of the reasons the province
Fokker and the University of Twente exclusive rights to the products from the of Overijssel is willing to provide us with
signed an agreement for the establish- collaboration. The intellectual property of financial support. And it also fits perfectly
ment of a new Thermoplastic Composites the new technology lies with the partici- with the aims of Kennispark Twente.”
Research Center (TRPC) in Kennispark pants. It is beneficial to Boeing not to have
Twente. In the centre, the parties will to carry out technological innovation alone
conduct research into the technology of nor to have to buy expertise. Other parties
thermoplastic composites for the aviation can also benefit from our knowledge. In
industry. This technology has to deliver this way, a scientific and independent
new and cost-efficient production and research centre has been set up in which
Innovation
assembly processes that offer key companies can collaborate on the basis of
environmental benefits. Until now, more trust and without fear of competition. This
than 50 companies have registered their is the best way to utilise extensive, global
interest in the TPRC Community. technological knowledge.”
.
30 31

18. Events
5 November 2009:
Young Technology Award
and 12 May 2009:
Meetings
Speed-dating dinner for
young entrepreneurs
13 May 2009:
Student entrepreneurs’ day
13 May and 10 December 2009:
Symposium Entrepreneurship
for PhD students
12 June 2009:
Getting acquainted with
Nano4 Vitality and UT Innovation
12 June 2009:
lecture 10 December 2009:
25 years of Technology Circle Twente
and the launch of ‘Startfighters’ 25th anniversary reunion of TOP scheme
Entrepreneurship
12 June 2009:
Launch of the Thermoplastic
32 33
Composites Research Center

19. Area
One of the preconditions for successful entrepreneurship is a physical
environment that inspires starters and attracts established companies.
An inviting research and business climate in an exciting location where
talent is present in abundance. Kennispark Twente’s physical area
covers the UT campus and the adjacent Business & Science Park.
An area of some 180 hectares, with more than 300 companies.
Together they represent 5,000 jobs in the industry and another 3,000 or
so in education and research. In the last year, work has largely focused
on the Master Plan for the Development of Kennispark Twente and the
redevelopment of the UT’s Langezijds building.
34 35

20. Area addition, Kennispark Twente’s calendar,
and those of its partners, is full with
meetings at which entrepreneurs can get
Room for entrepreneurship knowledge campuses. Of the 55 initia- together, with financiers, talented
tives that call themselves campuses, more students and partners. Below are a
Area Development Master Plan than 50% are nothing more than an number of examples.
The ‘Master Plan for the Development of industrial estate. There are a mere four
Kennispark Twente’ is the spatial transla- fully developed campuses in the Nether- Young Technology Award 2009
tion of Kennispark Twente’s ambitions. lands, one of which is Kennispark Twente. The finals of the Young Technology
New companies require space and an Award 2009 were held on the evening of
attractive environment that fits the bill A campus of national importance is not Thursday,5 November, and was attended
and draws new companies. The master only a natural and, for knowledge gateway to The Gallery’ and was officially by some 90 interested parties. Six
plan transforms the three areas of workers and R&D departments, attractive opened in the first quarter of 2010. It is nominees battled for the award for most
Kennispark Twente into a single spatial crystallisation point for open innovation now frequently used by young start-up promising technology company. During
unit that stimulates the coming together and public-private R&D collaborative VentureLab participants, the Twentse lab the final, each company presented itself
and collaboration of knowledge and opportunities, it is also an innovation for Telemedicine and several other young to the jury and the audience in an
business. The UT campus, the Business & accelerator nationwide on account of its companies. Kennispark Twente has also elevator pitch. The jury comprised Geert
Science Park and the interjacent provin- distinctive capabilities and ability to relocated its organisation to these Kolthof (Service2Media, winner of the
cial road will become one. anticipate national priorities. In the premises, as has Innovation Platform national Rising Star Award in 2008),
international competition climate sur- Twente. The Corridor and The Gallery are Martijn Kuit (managing director of MIRA
In January 2009, Enschede council rounding R&D centres and knowledge a key part of the Area Development biomedical research institute) and Mark
approved the ‘Master Plan for the Deve- workers, a good campus can be a Master Plan on account of the concentra- van Buiten (Eurosafe Solutions, serial
lopment of Kennispark Twente’. The UT significant asset. tion of innovation and entrepreneurship entrepreneur).
Board had already approved the plan. there.
2009 saw the further search for funding The Corridor: Gateway to The Gallery The nominees were Blue4Green, Smart
for the implementation of the plan and The redevelopment of the UT’s Lange- Events and meetings Signs Solutions, Xiophotonics, Twee R
the alteration of the zoning plan. A study zijds building into The Gallery was also Recycling, Mobihealth and Steray. The
was also carried out into the existing continued in 2009 in collaboration with Meetings between scientists and entrepre- award went to Erik Staijen with his
amenities for entrepreneurs in the area Kondor Wessels Projecten. The project neurial talent and financiers are a vital company Blue4Green, who received a
and how these could be shared. scheduling was changed due to market element in the Kennispark Twente area. cheque for €5,000 from Kennispark
conditions, which is why a pilot started in These meetings can be both planned and Twente and Innovation Platform Twente
Campus of national importance October 2009 in an empty building of ad hoc. In the latter case, people can intended to boost his company.
In late 2009, Kennispark Twente was Enschede municipal council. In this bump into one another in any one of the
declared an innovation campus of building, the concept of incubator, many facilities in the area: at a match of
national importance. On behalf of the events, contact with talent, financiers and the national soccer champion FC Twente,
Area
Ministry of Economic Affairs, BUCK others was created and refined. The an evening at Cinestar movie theatre or
consultants conducted a study into Dutch building is called: ‘The Corridor, your while skating at Twente ice rink. In
36 37

21. Powered by Twente: events for entre-
preneurship and innovation
The Powered by Twente Foundation was
set up on 17 November 2009. This is a Kennispark: a unique district in Enschede
foundation that organises events aimed at
entrepreneurship and innovation, events
not only organised by the foundation For UT campus manager Pieter Binsbergen, the approval of the Area
itself but also by other parties in the Guidance in locating business premises Development Master plan in 2009 signifies an important step
region that are proud that their event is forward in the redevelopment of the entire area. “We are busy
held in Twente and are only to happy to Knowledge intensive companies looking creating a new district in Enschede. Kennispark Twente must
give it the ‘Powered by Twente’ name. for premises in Twente can be assisted by become a key district, like Roombeek. An area that has a green
The Innoversum Innovation Conference Ontwikkelingsmaatschappij Oost NV at character and a dynamic appeal, with high levels of activity and
was planned for June 2009, but due to the behest of Kennispark Twente. This interesting events held on a regular basis.”
poor market conditions has been moved involves the establishment of contact with
forward to April 2010, where it will be potential partners, as well as information
held under the ‘Powered by Twente’ label. concerning office locations, projects and
funding. Pieter Binsbergen envisages a large here, which FC Twente chairman Joop
Workshops for entrepreneurial Kennispark Twente: the campus plus the Munsterman continually cites in his pep
scientists New premises and expansions area on the other side of the Hengelose- talks.”
A workshop was held for doctoral In 2009, a total of eight new companies straat: the Business and Science Park,
students from the UT on 13 May and 10 were established in Twente with a direct Go Planet, the ice rink, the Grolsch Veste. Train station Kennispark Twente
December 2009. On these two occasions, link to the UT or other knowledge In Pieter Binsbergen’s eyes, Kennispark
some 30 scientists looked more closely at institutes. Two companies were linked as International ambitions Twente is the vehicle with which to get an
setting up their own companies. After a part of Kennispark Twente. Together, “2,500 people live on campus, and 12,000 effective Twente Promotie up and
short introduction about the support these projects bring with them some €12 currently work and study in the whole running, without forgetting to emphasise
possibilities offered by Kennispark million in investments and 158 jobs. area every day. In a year’s time, Lange- the green character of Twente. “But
Twente, the workshop went into the value In this way, Kennispark Twente has zijds will be bristling with new activity. Twente is also a great place for young
of patents in more depth. Other subjects become an important magnet for the The amenities for recreation on the people to live. The economic spin-off
included writing an application for an Eastern Netherlands. Half of the R&D campus alone are already of a very high from the UT is by far the biggest in the
STW Valorisation Grant and how to apply projects supported by Oost NV in 2009 standard. This should be used for the Netherlands. With all the opportunities
for a patent. In the December workshop, were realised within Kennispark Twente. creation of a new profile for Kennispark, that that creates. Green. Young. Dynamic.
additional topics included patents and The same is true for 50% of the R&D-rela- where people can work and relax at a Technological. That is Twente. That is
business development at the UT. ted jobs and almost 42% of R&D invest- high level. The area around Amsterdam Kennispark. Drienerlo Station should
ments from the Eastern Netherlands. has a natural appeal. Here, we have to go really be renamed Kennispark Twente
that little bit further. Everything is Station. You can feel that you are in a
possible. It is a question of alerting the unique area straight away.”
rest of the Netherlands to that fact. We
have to take some important steps. I am
Area
very much drawn to the level of ambition
38 39

22. ‘Financieel dagblad’ newspaper,
15 June 2009
Looking at the Eastern Netherlands, time, create 158 extra jobs. This makes
Results of Kennispark Twente 50% of the R&D projects supported by Kennispark Twente an important magnet
TPRC Oost NV are located in the Kennispark. for knowledge-intensive companies in the
These projects bring with them some Eastern Netherlands.
Airplane manufacturer Boeing will be a Entrepreneurship €12 million in investments and will, in
partner in a new research centre for thermo-
plastic materials at the University of Twente. The figures for Kennispark Twente show
Together with companies such as Royal Ten that student entrepreneurs turn out to
Cate and Stork Fokker, Boeing hopes to become serious entrepreneurs. After
develop new composite materials here graduation, seven student entrepreneurs Kennispark Twente in cijfers 2006 2007 2008 2009 Totaal
“within several years” that are lighter, stronger received a TOP place, which enabled them
and more environmentally friendly than the to put serious effort into pursuing their
current generation of composites. Jan
businesses. In September, two student Stimulation of entrepreneurship
entrepreneurs made immediate use of
Närlinge, president of Boeing Northern
the new FAME scheme, enabling them to Number of active student businesses Unknown 55 82 76
Europe, expects that, within five years, the
combine their studies and entrepreneur- Number of students in FAME scheme 2
new Thermoplastic Composites Research
ship and indicate their willingness to re- TOP places granted 10 21 21 27 336*
Centre (TPRC) in Twente will be producing
main in Twente after graduation. We also Number of jobs at TOP
materials that can actually be used in
saw an increase in the number of TOP companies 1984-2008 2254
airplanes.
places granted and a large number of par- Participants in Venturelab Twente (started in 2009) 42
ticipants in the new Venturelab Twente:
42. As a result, knowledge- intensive
entrepreneurship remains an enduringly Companies and jobs
popular career option in Twente.
Jobs in the area (excl. UT) 4669 5332 5549 5611 +62
Number of companies in the area 302 324 355 323 -32
Companies and jobs
The total number of companies in the Knowledge transfer
park has dropped slightly, while the
number of jobs in the area increased Patent applications 24 20 14 30
marginally. R&D activities in the park Number of requests from SMEs
remain high. This means that despite the through the Knowledge Portal (start 2007) 114 121 115
financial and economic crisis, knowledge- Number of requests to Science Shop 72 69 73 89
intensive companies have grown in
volume.
Area
* Total number of TOP companies since the TOP Scheme began in 1984.
The total number of spin-off companies from the UT (including TOP companies) is approx. 700.
40 41

23. Publication details Partners
Kennispark Twente is a joint initiative of:
Kennispark Twente is made possible with the help of:
Editorial staff
Kennispark Twente and
Axis Media-ontwerpers
Design and layout
Axis Media-ontwerpers Stichting Kennispark Twente
PO Box 217
Printing 7500 AE Enschede
Drukkerij Te Sligte The Netherlands
Photography Visiting address
University of Twente Communication The Corridor
Department, Hengelosestraat 525
Jan Schartman Fotografie, Enschede
Eric Brinkhorst Fotografie The Netherlands
Text T +31 53 489 4118
Janinka Feenstra, Kennispark Twente, and F +37 53 489 2098
Marcel te Kiefte E contact@kennispark.nl
42 W www.kennispark.nl 43