One of the important collaborating partners of Campus Groningen is the NOM (Investment and Development Agency for the Northern Netherlands). As a regional investment and development agency they aim to strengthen the economy of the Northern Netherlands. In their magazine the NOMMER they devoted an article on the collaboration with the Campus. Read the article below. 

Campus Groningen is an important hotspot for innovation, but in explicit connection with the region of the Northern Netherlands. "That is why the NOM is an important partner for us", says Campus manager Lisanne Brakenhoff. ‘We want to be a host for ‘the smart start’, and to subsequently look how companies can scale up and can continue to grow in the region.'

Although ‘nothing tops Groningen’, even in this dynamic hotspot the available space is not limitless. That is why attention to the region and efficient land usage are key for the Campus. ‘Besides focus on community building and campus services, we consciously aim at area or park management', says Lisanne, who has been involved in the Campus since 2012. ‘We want to use the physical space as clever as possible and that also demands an economic view on the Campus area: what is needed for a strong ecosystem? And how do you contribute to open innovation with infrastructure? After all, it are the people who make the magic happen on the Campus. Buildings are the physical building blocks; the next step is to provide for good facilities – from catering facilities to labs and office space-  and for inspiring events, to thus encourage encounters, knowledge sharing and open innovation.'

In the midst of the region

In these times of corona, the physical advantage of the Campus levels off a bit. "we cannot organise in situ meetings at the moment, explains Lisanne, 'but the community also has a strong digital component, that now works to our advantage. And we notice how strong the foundation is for a flourishing ecosystem on the Campus. Parties involved find ways to connect, because people keep looking for innovative ways to keep on innovating together. 

On the one hand, you can not do without a physical breeding ground, on the other hand you want to keep connecting from a distance. We therefore want to be in the middle of the region. Here on the Campus, all facilities for cross-pollination and R&D are in place – ‘the smart start’ – while the region offers possibilities for the follow-up. And that is what we strive for: here ostly the testing grounds, elsewhere the larger locations and all the entrepreneurship that evolves from innovation.’

According to Lisanne, the NOM is an important partner in proactively establishing the settlement frame on Campus Groningen. ‘In designing the ideal Campus, the NOM is very engaged. They have a large network and a clear sight on which projects and companies could fit in well here. Investing is not just about money, it is also about making space and possibilities available. 

The Campus players are united in their search to consciously choose parties and actively bring them over here, but we also want to remain open and accessible for the region. That is why we also make facilities available for companies who do not have a location on the Campus, but who can contribute to the innovation in the Northern Netherlands.’

Good business climate

The NOM notices that Campus Groningen is of growing importance for the economic development in the Northern Netherlands. Sander Oosterhof, who is responsible for both acquisition and innovation at the NOM, clearly percieves the added value of the Campus. ‘It is a hotspot of knowledge and facilities. This benefits existing regional companies and startups, whilst it is also a very attractive factor in the business climate of the Northern Netherlands. We notice during our acquisition of sought after companies, how essential a good supply chain and grouped knowledge clusters are. Because of the focus on regional key sectors agrifood, energy, health, chemistry and digital economy (smart industry, use of big data and artificial intelligence, red.), the Campus offers a place where large organisations such as Avebe and DEMCOM want to be present. This triggers a snowball effect that is becoming clearer by the day.'

DEMCON is besides Ducom, Cliq Swiss and MercachemSyncom one of the innovative parties that have connected themselves to the latest development of the Campus: the Innovation Center Chemistry & Engineering, that will be ready in 2021. ‘We also offer room in that building to two new innolabs', says Lisanne. ‘Meant for companies that do research in either the chemical and pharmaceutical industry, or in the field of engineering. They can use high-end work places in these labs, innovative machinery, rooms for product design and prototypes and of course opportunities to hold meetings, network and do office work. While the construction is in full swing, we work from the Campus - together with NOM/ Investeringsfonds Groningen and other stakeholders – already on further expanding the ecosystem surrounding chemistry and engineering by attracting companies to the innolabs.’

Campus Community Fund

Besides room and facilities for innovation, the access to finance is an important element on Campus Groningen. Innovation is needed to keep the economy healthy, and SME's play a large part in this process. 'This makes access to capital essential', claims Lisanne. ‘We give insight into and access to different initiatives, funds and arrangements, with the NOM as an important partner. To develop tomorrows capital even better together with our stakeholders, we have launched the Campus Community Fund in September. Investing is no new issue, but by combining the resources explicitly in this new fund, we expect to make more impact. There is an investment strategy of 500 million euros established for the upcoming five years, in order for the Community Fund to generate important innovations for Northern Netherlands from the knowledge and skills on the Campus and in the region.'

Key ‘Drivers for Growth’ are projects that fit in the five main sectors of the Campus (agrifood, energy, health, chemistry and digital economy) and who make a.o. economic and social impact and contribute to cross-pollination. ‘It is a matter of learning to think and work as one ecosystem', stresses Lisanne. ‘And that is exactly the signal that we give with the Campus Community Fund. Besides practical benefits such as shortening the processing time of applications, we show that we function as one. If we want to play a role of importance as the Northern Netherlands internationally speaking, than we can only deliver this if we  do this together. The ecosystem that we create here on the Campus, has to have its effect in the region. This way we ca have true impact, from the 'smart start' until the entrepreneurship in a healthy economic and social climate.'

Over Campus Groningen

Campus Groningen is a triple helix collaboration of the University of Groningen, the UMCG, the Hanze University of Applied Sciences, the municipality and the province of Groningen, the NOM and companies join forces to strive for innovation.  

Source: NOMMER nr 38, 2020