Description
Collaboration for Tomorrow – ‘The Brabant Way’
Experience the synergy of innovation, policy, and business as Brabant's unique ecosystem
fosters transformative growth and sustainability across Europe.
The European Cluster Collaboration Platform (ECCP), on behalf of the European Commission, in collaboration with Brainport Development, AgriFood Capital, and the Province of Noord-Brabant, was proud to organise the Clusters Meet Regions event in Eindhoven, Netherlands, on 26 & 27 March 2025.
The conference aimed to generate insights and ideas that contribute to regional cluster policies and future EU policies, reinforcing the role of clusters in driving innovation, promoting sustainability, and strengthening resilience within regional and European ecosystems.
With Brabant’s leadership in Robotics & Artificial Intelligence (AI), Circular Semiconductors, Plant-Based Agri- & Foodtech, and Safety & Security, the event provided participants with first-hand experience in a thriving regional innovation ecosystem.
Building on the successful tradition of previous Clusters Meet Regions events, the Brabant edition provided a platform for cross-sector collaboration, dynamic discussions, and hands-on engagement through site visits, pitch sessions, matchmaking and interactive workshops.
This event also served as an opportunity to strengthen connections between clusters, policymakers, and industry leaders, ensuring that European regions are well-equipped to address challenges related to technological advancement, sustainability transitions, and SME resilience.
🗓️ Final Agenda
📑Read the event summary
Presented materials in the frame of the event:
Day I, 26 March 2025
Setting the scene – presentation of the Input Paper
- Jan-Philipp Kramer, ECCP team member - download presentation
Keynote “Regional economic development and the role of clusters in regional innovation ecosystems”
Koenraad Debackere, Executive Director, KU Leuven Research & Development / Vice Chairman, Leuven Mindgate - download presentation
Keynote “Operating in a regional innovation ecosystem”
Joost van Hees, Vice President Global Government Affairs, ASML - download presentation
Panel I - Collaboration across borders, from nice to needed - download presentations
“Building European Corridors”
Kristina Karanikolova, Innovation Policy Consultant and Researcher, TNO - download presentation
Site Visits
Robotics & AI and (Circular) Semiconductors
Brainport Industries & Brainport Industries Campus,
John Blankendaal, Managing Director, Brainport Industries - download presentationCircular Business Plan Semicon Harold Mehagnoul,
Head of Strategic Sourcing & Procurement Re-use & Repair, ASML - download presentationBreda Robotics
Chantal van Spaendonck, Director, Breda Robotics - download presentationThe European perspective
Mariusz Baldyga, Programme Officer - EU policies, DG Communications Networks, Content and Technology, European Commission - download presentation
(Plant-based) Agri- & FoodTechaa
Smart Farming in Brabant
Stefan van Gestel, Smart Farming Field Crops, Province of Noord-Brabant & Paul van Zoggel, Program Developer, VDBorneCampus & Wageningen University & Research - download presentation
Safety & Security
Brainport Innovation and Technology for Security and NATO’s DIANA Accelerator
Midas de Rooij, Projectmanager Brainport Innovation & Technology for Security (BITS), Brainport Development - download presentationThe European perspective
Paul Kruis, Policy Officer, DG DEFIS, European Commission - download presentation
Day II, 27 March 2025
Panel II - Funding, more than just money - download presentation
Panel III - Cluster potential: driving regional and global impact - download presentation
Panel IV - Adapting for success: exploring the diversity of cluster models - download presentation
Dembrane Report - download report
Workshops
- Managing and maximising your EU-funded projects
Kristina Karanikolova, Innovation Policy Consultant and Researcher, TNO - download presentation - Managing and maximising your EU-funded projects
Sharon Struijcken, Partner and Senior Advisor, ERAC & Olav Veldhuizen, Senior Advisor, ERAC - download presentation
Why this conference?
The Clusters Meet Regions event in Brabant highlighted the transformative power of innovation clusters in shaping Europe’s sustainability, competitiveness, and resilience. Brabant’s unique position as the heart of the Dutch innovation ecosystem for agrifood and high-tech industries made it the ideal host for this event.
Brabant is home to globally renowned companies, including ASML, MSD Animal Health, and Vanderlande, which work in close collaboration with SMEs within highly successful innovation clusters. By bringing together key stakeholders, this event highlighted Brabant’s ability to connect industry, government, and research institutions to foster innovation and economic growth.
Why Brabant? What Makes This Region Unique?
Brabant’s triple-helix collaboration model - a close partnership between industry, knowledge institutes, and public authorities—has made it a European leader in innovation. The region has a strong track record in developing and scaling breakthrough technologies while ensuring that these innovations drive economic, environmental, and social impact.
Key Benefits of Attending
This Clusters Meet Regions event in offered:
- Access to new and relevant European networks
- Opportunities to form valuable new partnerships
- New innovation and business opportunities
- Insights into best practices in regional collaboration
- Updates on the latest EU policy and funding developments
- A unique chance to engage in shaping future EU strategies
Context and Objectives
Brabant is a dynamic European innovation hub where industry, government, and knowledge institutes work together to drive technological breakthroughs and regional economic growth.
This event aligned with:
The Brabant strategy, focused on strengthening regional innovation ecosystems
The European Green Deal, promoting circular economy practices
EU industrial policy, supporting SME resilience and cross-sector collaboration
The Clusters Meet Regions event in Eindhoven focused on:
Strengthening and connecting regional innovation ecosystems in Brabant’s key focus areas: Robotics & AI, Circular Semiconductors, Plant-Based Agri- & Foodtech, and Safety & Security. The discussions explored topics such as knowledge valorisation, startup and scale-up support, and technology infrastructures.
Promoting sustainability through circular economy practices and best practices in green technology adoption.
Supporting SME resilience and cross-border collaboration, ensuring that small and medium-sized enterprises could adapt to global challenges such as digitalisation, supply chain disruptions, and sustainability transitions.
Showcasing best practices in cluster management and regional development, offering practical insights into policy frameworks that drive innovation and competitiveness.
Target Groups
The event engaged stakeholders from across Europe, including:
- Regional authorities and policymakers, involved in economic development and cluster policy.
- Cluster organisations, facilitating cross-sector collaboration and innovation.
- SMEs, startups, and scale-ups, operating in high-tech, agrifood, and security sectors.
- Academic and research institutions, supporting technology development and knowledge transfer.
- Industry leaders, actively shaping technological advancements in AI, robotics, semiconductors, agrifood, and security.
Expected Outcomes
By bringing together key players in Europe’s cluster ecosystem, the event aimed to achieve:
Stronger collaboration between clusters, SMEs, and policymakers, leading to actionable initiatives.
Enhanced understanding of Brabant’s innovation ecosystem, reinforcing its role in Europe’s competitiveness.
Contributions to European Green Deal, Competitiveness policies and RIS3 strategies, ensuring alignment with EU priorities.
New cross-border partnerships and business opportunities, unlocking innovation potential across regions.
Logistical Information
- Venue: The event took place at the Conference Center, High Tech Campus, Eindhoven, a premier innovation hub in Europe.
Address: The Strip, High Tech Campus Eindhoven 1, 5656 AE Eindhoven
Accessibility:
Eindhoven Airport (30 minutes from the venue)
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (90 minutes from the venue)
The region offers excellent public transport and cycling-friendly infrastructure, ensuring smooth mobility for participants.
More Information & Next Steps
The Clusters Meet Regions – Eindhoven 2025 event was a key milestone in strengthening European clusters, shaping future collaborations, and driving innovation in Brabant and beyond.
Enhance your event experience
Eindhoven is a European hotspot for innovation, offering a unique environment for meetings, collaboration, and business development.
Attendees were encouraged to maximise their participation in Clusters Meet Regions workshop in Eindhoven by organising their meetings, project gatherings, or steering committee sessions before or after the conference.
The local conference organisers were available to assist in identifying suitable meeting locations, ensuring that participants could seamlessly integrate their business objectives with the event’s networking and knowledge-sharing opportunities.
By leveraging the innovation-driven ecosystem of Eindhoven, attendees significantly increased the impact of their participation and strengthened collaboration with European and international partners.