Innovation is the key to your growth

Our knowledge region offers plenty of opportunities for SMEs. Thanks to strong knowledge clusters and educational institutions, much expertise is available, and the region is developing rapidly in the field of technology and innovation. These developments offer opportunities to make companies smarter, more sustainable and more competitive. The question is: how can you, as an entrepreneur, make the most of this? Key Region Leiden helps you do just that. We bring you into contact with a relevant network, so that you get access to the knowledge and cooperation that will help your company move forward. This opens new doors and puts you on the map regionally. By strengthening your network in the region, you will be better prepared for the future. Therefore, hook up. Follow us on LinkedIn and subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to know about all developments.

From drawing board to practice

Innovation is not only important for large companies or top SMEs. The presence of innovation also has positive effects on broader SMEs, the nurturing economy. They often act as a schanierpunt, because many SMEs are the link between knowledge and the market. How that works. Large companies and knowledge institutions often develop new technologies, but SMEs provide application, production, service and distribution. In short: without SMEs, innovations often don’t get from the drawing board to practice.

New opportunities in existing sectors

So innovation in Key Region Leiden provides plenty of new opportunities in existing sectors. We highlight some of them:

Innovations from bioscience, being developed in Leiden Bio Science Park not only lead to new drugs and treatment methods. They also provide new products for healthcare providers and offer opportunities for innovation in the healthcare sector, which is strongly represented in our region. This is an inspiring environment for small and larger companies with a product or service in the healthcare sector. Did you know that PLNT Leiden, Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, can guide you through this? For specific life science startups, there is the Unlock program.

Innovations in space technology, which are being developed from the NL Space Campus in Noordwijk, offer smart applications for everyday use. The data that satellites can provide through earth observation offer many opportunities for this. For example, take a look at the smart application of Soilspect.

The construction industry can benefit from robotization and new applications of drones. This makes for faster, safer and more efficient work. With drones, for example, think about easily inspecting buildings and structures at high altitudes. Also for the bulb-growing sector drone technology already has a proven application.

These examples show that innovation creates new markets that SMEs can benefit from.

Innovation strengthens collaboration

Our region has strong knowledge partners from knowledge clusters and education. SMEs can participate in these networks and benefit from knowledge, talent and joint projects. This makes it easier to test and scale up new ideas. For example, through the project “Make digitization work for you,” we offer assistance in digitizing your business. Through coaching, workshops and vouchers. Make use of it!

Requesting a voucher

Good framework conditions

Innovation attracts investors and companies. Space is needed for that and technical talent is needed. Key Region Leiden is also working on that. We are exploring the creation of a Spatial Development Company for business parks (ROM-B) as an additional tool to make space in business parks by compacting and raising buildings. Together with educational institutions, we make education meet the demand from the labor market. Through hybrid learning environments, internship and research positions and contract education for Lifelong Development.

Ask your question

Don’t miss it

Curious about the progress of our projects and initiatives? Look around this website, sign up for the newsletter and follow us on LinkedIn. We look forward to seeing you at one of our meetings soon!