During Key Region Leiden’s summer event, partners and stakeholders attended an informative presentation by Otto Raspe, principal researcher at RaboResearch, on economic growth and overall well-being in the Leiden region and the Duin- en Bollenstreek. The message was clear: every region has its own dynamics. Regional collaboration is essential for capitalizing on opportunities.

View the presentation

The presentation showed that there are significant differences in economic growth and prosperity within the Netherlands. What works in Brainport Eindhoven does not automatically work in the Key Region Leiden. Each region has its own strengths, challenges, and development paths. According to Raspe, for our region, it’s all about finding the right balance between three priorities: competitiveness, resilience, and broad prosperity.

“Growth is determined by the regional ecosystem. The better it functions, the more opportunities for growth can be capitalized on.”

Potential present

Due to geopolitical tensions and an uncertain international economic environment, RaboResearch has revised its growth forecast for the Netherlands downward to 1.2% in 2026 and 1.1% in 2027. This means the economy will still grow, but at a slower pace than desired. In the longer term, economic growth depends primarily on two factors: labor input and labor productivity growth. Virtually all sectors will feel the effects of slowing growth. Industry, transportation, and construction are under particular pressure. For the Leiden region and the Duin- en Bollenstreek, economic growth of between 0.0 and 0.5 percent is expected. This means the region will lag behind the national average. That does not mean the economic fundamentals are weak. On the contrary. In certain areas, the region is performing above average and has strong earning power, such as at the Leiden Bio Science Park. At the same time, other factors are holding back growth. How can we improve the outlook? According to Raspe, the key lies in a well-functioning regional ecosystem in which businesses, knowledge institutions, and governments reinforce one another.

“Invest in the drivers of productivity growth.”

Full bloom

What else can we learn from other regions? Why, for example, are regions like Eindhoven and Amsterdam growing faster? According to Raspe, the benefits of agglomeration are strongly evident there. Knowledge spreads more easily between companies and institutions, the labor market is larger, specialized services are nearby, and companies more often benefit from collaboration within strong value chains. It is precisely these local conditions that prove to be key drivers of productivity and growth. This also presents a challenge for our region. The Key Region Leiden benefits from its proximity to the economic powerhouses of Amsterdam and The Hague, but at the same time operates in their shadow. The study shows that our region has average labor productivity, while productivity growth is lagging. If we improve this, there will be more opportunities for economic development.

“Learn from regions abroad that are similar to the Key Region Leiden. Copenhagen is a good example.”

RaboResearch also highlights a number of success factors: work toward a shared long-term vision, make strategic choices in economic development, ensure good accessibility, invest in knowledge and innovation, build strong clusters, and maintain a strong focus on broad prosperity.

High score on well-being

Modest economic growth is offset by a strong performance in terms of overall well-being. The study shows that the Leiden region and the Duin- en Bollenstreek score higher than many other regions in the Netherlands and South Holland. The region benefits from its location between the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area and the Rotterdam-The Hague Metropolitan Area. The strong score is linked to factors such as job security, income, health, social connections, and safety. At the same time, there are still areas requiring attention. Challenges remain in areas such as housing, the environment, and civic engagement. According to Raspe, it is precisely in these areas that opportunities lie to further strengthen overall well-being. The key message here is simple: a high score today offers no guarantee for tomorrow. In our region, too, constant attention is needed to maintain the quality of life.

“The Key Region Leiden benefits from its location between the two major economic regions. The level of overall well-being is high here.”

Borrowed size

Another lesson from the study is the principle of “borrowed size”: harness the strength of nearby urban regions. The Leiden region has a large outbound commuter flow. On balance, approximately 33,000 residents work outside the region. Many residents thus benefit from the employment opportunities available elsewhere in the Randstad. At the same time, this raises the question of how talent and knowledge can be more closely tied to the region itself. Better alignment between education, the labor market, and the region’s economic specializations can help achieve this.

“Harness the power of nearby urban regions.”

Which step is important now?

What does Raspe believe is needed to make further progress? First and foremost, a shared vision. Successful regions dare to think big, work together, and build on what sets them apart. It is precisely this shared ambition that creates the momentum needed to tackle economic and social challenges.

To achieve that vision, Raspe emphasizes the importance of regional collaboration between entrepreneurs, government, education, and research. This so-called triple-helix approach ensures that the parties jointly identify opportunities and determine how they can contribute to them. As an example, he cites business roundtables, where various parties come together to address shared challenges and opportunities.

The presentation thus once again made it clear that Key Region Leiden can fulfill precisely that connecting role. Collaboration between businesses, educational institutions, and government agencies is now firmly established. With its three program areas— Strengthening the Innovation Region, Future-Proof Entrepreneurship, and Space & Framework Conditions —the agenda aligns well with the recommendations from the study. The foundation has been laid; now it is time to further translate our shared ambitions into action.

Holland Rijnland Region Economic Dashboard

In addition to the national figures, Ellen Dijkstra, a researcher and data analyst for the City of Leiden, presented the Holland Rijnland Region’s economic dashboard during the afternoon session. This dashboard provides insight into the economic development of our region. With up-to-date figures on topics such as employment, economic activity, sector development, and the labor market, the dashboard clearly illustrates trends and developments. Users can view both the region as a whole and the individual municipalities and easily compare them with one another. In this way, the dashboard supports municipalities, policymakers, entrepreneurs, researchers, and other interested parties in making informed decisions and strengthening a future-proof regional economy.

• Curious about these regional and local economic figures? Check out the dashboard here: https://hollandrijnland.nl/ruimte/economie/
• You can find more statistics on this page of our website.

Check out our infographic

During our Summer Event, held in honor of Key Region Leiden’s first anniversary, we bid farewell to several dedicated aldermen. With a heartfelt “thank you,” they received a flourishing ecosystem from Director Leonie Hussaarts, symbolizing the network they have helped build so effectively.

We would like to thank each and every one of them for their vision, courage, and enthusiasm.

• For no less than 8 years, Jacco Knape was closely involved, on behalf of the municipality of Katwijk, in economic cooperation in the region, and he gave a tremendous boost to the development of Key Region Leiden!

• Paul Olthof: coming from a small community, he’s good at thinking big, always keeping the importance of entrepreneurship firmly in mind.

• Herman Romeijn; a connector and dedicated leader, particularly in the area of digital transformation for small and medium-sized businesses.

• Pieter Varekamp; passionately committed to fostering innovation in the region to improve our earning power.

We look forward to working (again) with the new aldermen: Wouter Jan Vroegindeweij of the municipality of Katwijk, Freddy Blommers of the municipality of Leiderdorp, Elfred Bus of the municipality of Oegstgeest, Angelique Beekhuizen of the municipality of Zoeterwoude, Esther Mieremet from the municipality of Voorschoten, and Pim van Strien from the municipality of Noordwijk.

We wrapped up the afternoon on the rooftop terrace at PLNT Leiden, our new office at Langegracht 70 in Leiden, where we recently moved. Want to stay updated? Sign up for our newsletter.

Economic Growth and Broad Prosperity

During the afternoon, partners and stakeholders also attended an informative presentation by Otto Raspe, chief economist at RaboResearch, on economic growth and overall well-being in the Leiden region and the Duin- en Bollenstreek.

The message was clear: every region has its own dynamics. Regional cooperation is essential for capitalizing on opportunities.

Sterk in brede welvaart, zoekend naar groei: inzichten van Otto Raspe voor Key Region Leiden

The presentation thus once again made it clear that Key Region Leiden can fulfill precisely that connecting role. The collaboration between entrepreneurs, educational institutions, and government agencies is now firmly established.

With the following program areas:

• Strengthening the Innovation Region,
• Future-Proof Entrepreneurship and
• Space & Preconditions

Our agenda aligns well with the recommendations from the study. The foundation has been laid; now it’s time to further translate our shared ambitions into action.

The Key Region Leiden Foundation strengthens the regional knowledge and innovation ecosystem, thereby contributing to broad-based prosperity. As an independent catalyst, we create the right conditions, support both the broader SME sector and knowledge clusters through targeted programs, and accelerate innovation through smart crossovers and collaborations. We represent the region at relevant forums and serve as a dialogue partner with a mandate to engage with governments and businesses.

This summer, millions of people are watching the World Cup. We root for a team whose players we don’t know personally. Yet we say: “We’re winning,” “We’re losing,” “We’re moving on.” Why is that, anyway?

Because people want to belong somewhere. Because we are loyal to something greater than ourselves.

That thought brings me to entrepreneurship. Because who are you actually rooting for?

For your own business, of course. That’s where your time, energy, and often even your sleep go. But does it stop there? Or do you also cheer on the entrepreneur next door in the business park? The supplier who’s always willing to think along with you? The shopkeeper around the corner? The region where you do business?

Loyalty is often seen as something you receive: a customer who stays, an employee who doesn’t leave, a partner who remains committed to working with you.

But true loyalty usually starts differently.

With giving.

By investing in relationships without immediately calculating what you’ll get out of them. By being generous with one another. By offering an introduction, a piece of advice, or a helping hand when no one has asked for it.

That might not seem efficient. Until things get tough. Because that’s when you discover what a relationship is truly worth. When a project doesn’t go as planned. When the market is under pressure. When someone makes a mistake. That’s when it becomes clear whether loyalty was a strategy or a conviction.

That’s precisely when you often see the best side of entrepreneurship: entrepreneurs helping one another, sharing knowledge, and working together—not because they have to, but because they understand that a strong network starts with strong relationships among themselves.

So if you’re watching a game this summer and catch yourself saying, “We’re in the lead,” ask yourself: Who is that “we” in your company? Because the quality of that answer may well determine the strength of your company.

This column appeared in the summer issue of Into Business. Be sure to read the previous column as well:

De regio als werkplaats en jouw bedrijf staat er middenin

Why this works.

• We connect knowledge and innovation with SMEs, strengthening the entire regional economy.
• We create jobs close to home, reduce travel time and increase livability.
• Each government euro provides at least €3.50 in value.
• We are committed to future-proof business parks, strong supply chains and an attractive business climate.

What we ask of local politicians

• Choose structural collaboration.
• Invest a minimum of €3.25 per resident to fulfill our common tasks.
• Give room for innovation, talent and growth: for residents, entrepreneurs and municipalities.

What it delivers

A year ago, Director Leonie Hussaarts began her assignment at Key Region Leiden: building a strong economic region where entrepreneurship, innovation and social impact come together. Meanwhile, a solid foundation has been laid. The first year was all about pioneering, connecting and giving direction, together with partners from municipalities, education, knowledge clusters, entrepreneurs and the growing team. In this news item she looks back on a year full of movement and looks ahead to the next phase for Key Region Leiden.

Photo above: The Key Region Leiden steering committee during the launch of the new organization on July 7, 2025, with Willem-Jan Zirkzee, Tino Meijn, Jan Bart van der Plas, Theo de Vries, Jacco Knape, Paul Olthof, Herman Romeijn, Wietske Veltman, Esther Peters, Karin Horsman, Joeri van den Steenhoven, Pim van Strien, Otto Jelsma and Martijn Van Pelt.

Photo below: the launch of Key Region Leiden at Plus Ultra in Leiden Bio Science Park.

‘Exactly one year ago, I embarked on a fantastic challenge: building Key Region Leiden as a strong economic region. A place where entrepreneurship, innovation and social impact come together. With 17 partners at the table, each with their own perspective, pace and importance’.

“For me, the past year was mostly about listening and connecting. I spoke to many entrepreneurs, administrators, researchers and partners. It was precisely by bringing ideas and interests together that movement was created.

‘We started new projects, attracted additional funding and strengthened our team with Els Frankhuijzen and Jarra Schroijen. At the same time, we built (and are building) step by step a professional organization that fits our role as an independent booster of the regional innovation ecosystem.

‘What makes me proud is that it is becoming increasingly clear what Key Region Leiden stands for: strengthening the region and supporting broad-based SMEs. Because good innovation only works if it is also good business’.

‘The first year really felt like pioneering. With trial and error, a lot of energy and sometimes patience. I am grateful for the trust and space I received from the board and partners to build, learn and experiment where necessary. And for the wonderful colleagues who took on these challenges with me’.

‘My ambition for the future: to continue building together a region where cooperation accelerates innovation and entrepreneurs can make a difference. From pioneering to deepening. From building up to scaling up. All it takes is a spark!’

Read our Manifesto

View our infographic

Spring has begun. With sunshine in your face and daffodils on the roadside, it creates space to look ahead. What do I want to accomplish this year?

For entrepreneurs, this is not always easy. Daily work swallows you up, leaving little time for reflection and looking to the future. At such times it is nice to have someone to spar with. But with whom?

The answer is closer than you think: in our own workshop, the region. And your company is at the center of it.

That workshop has everything you need: knowledge, talent, space to experiment, companies willing to collaborate and a network that gets stronger the more often we meet. Such a network only really works when we use it. Then new ideas arise, professionals come together and projects grow.

Does the region already work this way? Sometimes yes, but not everywhere yet. At the same time, we are in good shape: a strong economy, committed entrepreneurs, developing business parks, education at all levels and municipalities that facilitate. All signals are green.

What is still needed? That we actually start doing it.

Too often we wait for each other, while municipalities, entrepreneurs and educational institutions often have the same questions. It is precisely in the joint workshop that the solutions emerge. There are the heads and hands needed to move forward. And your company is one of them!

My call: take advantage of that workshop, in a way that suits you. Join a network, project or collaboration. Visit a meeting, listen, share, ask, contribute. From the local business association to Key Region Leiden or VNO-NCW: there is always a place to start.

Not because they have to, but because it works. Because like the daffodils in the spring berm, enterprises bloom best when they are firmly rooted in the region.

This column is the first in a series and will appear in the Into Business issue over the next two years.

The symposium “Working together on broad prosperity in Key Region Leiden” focused on the opportunities and challenges of our growing knowledge region. In the opening speech, Hester Heringa (Platform Social Domain), Wietske Veltman (municipality of Leiden) and Christine Carabain (Knowledge Center Applied Broad Prosperity) emphasized that economic growth must go hand in hand with broad prosperity: a development in which not only economic progress is central, but also the well-being of residents and a fair distribution of opportunities within the region.

On June 18, VNO-NCW Rijnland, Key Region Leiden and Rabobank will organize a Defense Summit meeting with the theme Doing Business with Defense: ‘Strong, smart and together’. For innovative entrepreneurs and SMEs that can provide a product or service to these entrepreneurs and/or to Defense. The meeting will be held at Unmanned Valley in Katwijk. Mark the date in your agenda!

Purpose of the meeting

The changing geopolitical situation and a sharply increasing defense budget create great opportunities for entrepreneurs to contribute to security, resilience and economic growth with innovative solutions. Key Region Leiden has a strong starting position where innovation power and the growing importance of the defense and security industry come together. We want to exploit that potential!

Format of the meeting

Inform, inspire and provide entrepreneurs with concrete insight into:

• Defense’s strategic needs and “shopping list,” particularly in the areas of technological and operational innovation.
• The action perspective for entrepreneurs: how do I navigate the complex Defense organization and bring dual-use innovations and technologies from idea to application within Defense?
• The opportunities for collaboration with partners within innovation region Key Region Leiden where entrepreneurs, researchers, education and municipalities work together in the fields of bio science, space tech & data and autonomous tech at Leiden Bio Science Park, NL Space Campus and Unmanned Valley.

This is what you take home

At this meeting, you will be informed and inspired, gain insight into Defense’s strategic priorities, hear how to seize opportunities as an entrepreneur and supplier in the supply chain, and meet a relevant network.

Program

• 2:30 p.m. – Walk-in: meet the innovation ecosystem
• 3 p.m. – Opening ‘Doing Business with Defense: Strong, Smart and Together’
• 3:10 p.m. – Program: from need to business including partial sessions on cybersecurity, reservists, dual-use and chain collaboration
• 5:30 p.m. – Networking with Defense, VNO-NCW and Key Region Leiden
• 6:30 p.m. – End

Sign up

Registration for this meeting starts soon. Mark Thursday, June 18 in your calendar now. Subscribe to our newsletter to not miss a thing.

• Thursday, June 18, 2026
• 2:30 – 6:30 p.m.
• Unmanned Valley, Katwijk aan Zee

Creating sensor-based impact

On June 18, we will be guests at Unmanned Valley in Katwijk. This is the Netherlands’ largest field lab for drones and autonomous tech on former naval airbase Valkenburg. Here, high-tech applications are literally getting off the ground. https://unmannedvalley.nl/

Key Region Leiden has received a contribution of €100,000 from the Ministry of Economic Affairs to better support entrepreneurs in our region*. The allocation from the SME Services Action Agenda will be used to improve the connection between innovation campuses and entrepreneurs and to make the knowledge present in the region more available to SMEs.

*The municipalities involved are Katwijk, Leiden, Leiderdorp, Noordwijk, Oegstgeest, Voorschoten and Zoeterwoude.

Finding each other faster

The Leiden region has a lot of knowledge and innovation, but not all entrepreneurs know how to make use of it. At the same time, entrepreneurs have much to offer that the knowledge clusters can benefit from, but these worlds do not meet enough. “We are going to strengthen the interaction between our strong knowledge economy and the diverse SMEs in our region so that knowledge, innovation and market demands find each other better and faster,” said Leonie Hussaarts, director of Key Region Leiden.

Doing, learning and improving

The approach is concrete. “We want to land more procurement in the region, create more chain cooperation and ensure optimal interaction between supply and demand. The most important thing is that we are going to do, learn from it and improve ourselves,” Hussaarts adds. “In doing so, companies must also take a step forward themselves. With interested parties, I’m happy to engage in conversation.”

Get in touch

Broad prosperity

On behalf of the region, the Municipality of Leiderdorp was the lead agency for the application. Responsible Alderman Herman Romeijn: “We are happy to get to work for all those entrepreneurs who work hard every day in and on our local and regional economy. The stronger connections will have a positive effect on the earning capacity of the region and everyone benefits from that.”

• Luister ook naar het radio-item van Sleutelstad (duur: 18 min) in het programma Kennismakers.
• And the short radio interview (duration 5 min) with Central+.

Here’s what we’re going to do

• Demand activation: making entrepreneurs aware of their future questions and helping them translate them into concrete steps.
• Making connections: better access to knowledge institutions, innovative companies and regional networks.
• Pilots and collaboration: joint projects between SMEs, knowledge institutions and government to try out new ways of working.
• Learning and adjusting: continuously monitoring what works in our region and sharing these insights with other knowledge regions in the Netherlands.

Stay informed through the project page and our newsletter. Also, follow us on Linkedin.

The end of the year invites looking back. Leonie Hussaarts: ‘For me, this means looking back on my first 8 months as director of Key Region Leiden, an organization in development with a clear mission:

• Accelerate innovation & connect knowledge clusters;
• Preserve space for work through future-proof business parks;
• Strengthen broad-based SMEs.

Our credo: without strong SMEs, no strong knowledge economy. And without strong knowledge clusters no future-proof region.

Results

A sampling of what we have put together since May 1:

• Kicking off Key Region Leiden on July 7: Science for life!
• ROM-B’s exploration of how to keep room for entrepreneurship in business parks in the future.
• Opening House of Quantum at BioPartner Leiden: key technologies reinforcing each other.
• Strengthening the team with colleague Jarra Schroijen, a nice next step in further building Key Region Leiden.
• Opening Comet Lab at NL Space Campus and designating Unmanned Valley as official BVLOS test area.
• Investments that carry through to the entire region: from Eli Lilly’s €2.6 bln to €146 million for accessibility and housing.
• Dozens of SME vouchers for digitization, because SMEs are the backbone of our economy.
• International recognition: DutchReview calls Key Region Leiden a science hub of significance.
• Leiden Bio Science Park at the forefront of the Red Biotech proposal “Biotech Nexus” as part of the Wennink Report.
• Valuable conversations with government, education, entrepreneurs and major companies from across the region.
• Meeting administrative Europe table and working visits to Brussels for international positioning and presentation of our white paper Quantum Life Sciences.

And last but not least: incredibly fun and valuable meetings with enterprising, smart, fine and motivated people from our region. What a joy to work here!

Why does this matter?

Because everything is connected and we need each other. Large knowledge clusters strengthen local and regional businesses. And precisely the broad SMEs form the backbone of our economy and the knowledge economy. Key Region Leiden is the place where 8 of the 10 key technologies from the National Technology Strategy come together. Together we make impact. Together we are the key to innovation.

Samen maken we de kenniseconomie waardevol voor iedereen

WE ARE KEY!

You are KEY, We are KEY! Follow us on Linkedin to not miss a thing and help build a strong, innovative region!

Key Region Leiden has the highest knowledge density in the Netherlands around eight of the 10 prioritized key technologies. Innovation and collaboration is key. In doing so, we are in close contact with our network of partners to quickly capitalize on opportunities. Short lines, lots of energy. With the drive to achieve social impact at all levels. For the region, for South Holland, for the Netherlands, for Europe, for life! Science for life.