"And you are an excellent example." That were the final words of Neelie Kroes at the Innovation Lecture 2015. A fine compliment for the innovation climate in the Twente region, where all ingredients for succesful startup-entrepreneurship are present. Kroes, Special Envoy at StartUpDelta, was the keynote speaker at the annual event on the theme of entrepreneurship and innovation. She took the moment to give her insights in ways to deal with change.
The University of Twente has a long and vibrant tradition in business and entrepreneurship. Now more than ever, business generated by scientific research is the engine for economic growth. Transforming cutting-edge expertise into economic activity and benefits to society is one of our university’s core objectives. With 800 successful spin-off companies to its name, the University of Twente leads Europe in terms of start-ups. Collaborating closely with students, the business community and government, UT scientists are committed to delivering the technological and social solutions of tomorrow: University of Twente, the University of Booming Business!
Change
"We have to embrace change", Kroes stated. "We should make a big, ambitious step forward and not lean back into our comfort zone of the past glory of vested interests or the false security of nationalism." Therefore, we need a collaborative philosophy, keep developing ourselves and clever utilization of the academic knowledge that is available. "And you're very good at that", said Kroes. "You're just a bit too modest about it". The complete speech of Neelie Kroes can be read here.
A great example of the result of a great innovation climate and entrepreneurial spirit is Yori Kamphuis, founder of Coblue Cybersecurity, UT-alumnus and Futurist of the Year in 2013. Kamphuis spoke during the Innovation Lecture passionately about his and life and his lessons learned. And on how technology can make a difference in all aspects of life, whether it is in health, mobility or safety. There are numerous opportunities, go and explore them!
Some of these opportunities were made clear during a special fashion event at the Innovation Lecture. The hi-tech fashion event showed the future of wearable technologies: 3-d printing, laser, led, solar and more. The future of fashion lies in integrating clever and useful technology into our clothing. Designers with international fame who participated are e.g. Pauline van Dongen, Hellen van Rees, Leonie Smelt, Leonie Tenthof van Noorden, Sensoree and Maartje Dijkstra.
Award Ceremony
During the award ceremony, organised by the Universiteitsfonds Twente, both the Van den Kroonenberg prize and the Marina van Damme scholarship were awarded. With their company MoneyBird, Edwin Vlieg, Joost Diepenmaat and Berend van Bruijnsvoort have won the Van den Kroonenberg prize. The prize was awarded by Gé Klein Wolterink, board member of the Universiteitsfonds Twente. MoneyBird has developed software with which small entrepreneurs and independents can easily keep their books, send invoices and fill in tax forms. More...
The Marina van Damme Scholarship was awarded to Ms Dang Anh Nguyet. She was chosen from among 20 candidates.Dang Anh was born in Vietnam in 1988. In 2010, she came to study at the ITC faculty; in 2012 she was awarded her master's degree in Geo-information science and earth observation. Currently, she is working for the Asian Institute of Technology in Thailand. More...
Dutch Student Investment Fund
The University of Twente and Saxion university of applied science launched the Dutch Student Investment Fund. At the opening ceremony, Neelie Kroes - Special Envoy at StartUp Delta - and Jasper Driessens - interim director of the Fund - handed a symbolic money case to Jasper van Weerd, founder of LipoCoat. LipoCoat is the first start-up to receive an investment from the fund, 40,000 euros. The fund will be led by a board consisting mainly of students and an investment committee with only student members. It is the first time in Europe such a start-up fund led by students is founded. In the forthcoming years, an estimated 1 million euro’s will be invested as convertible loans to promising student-led-start-ups in the region of Twente. More...
