Last Monday, we received a special delegation from Austria and Slovakia at the Techport Innovation Centre. This visit came about at the initiative of EIT Manufacturing, who spontaneously approached us for an introduction. A good sign that Techport is also increasingly seen outside the Netherlands as an inspiring example of how cooperation really works.
Focus on the ‘HOEDAN’ question
What the delegation particularly wanted to know? How we do it. How Techport connects its network of a hundred companies with education and (semi)public authorities. How we accelerate innovation, develop talent and take concrete steps towards industry sustainability. In other words: not just what we do, but especially how we do it.
The strength of IJmond
Across Europe, there are programmes and campuses driving innovation. But what makes Techport unique is the targeted focus on the manufacturing and maintenance industry in the North Sea Canal area - and the close cooperation between education, government and big business, with Tata Steel as a key player.
Our approach is practical, regional and sometimes quirky - exactly what this region needs to really accelerate. The delegation was visibly impressed by the dynamism in IJmond and the way concrete results are being achieved here.
Inspiring presentations and visits
During the programme, delegates from Interreg, 2CFIMH, EIT Manufacturing, City of Vienna, STUBA University, Comenius University, SAPIE, Accent Incubator and the Vienna Business Agency, among others, visited the Smart Sensor Lab. Here, André Gerver talked about Tiny Machine Learning and co-creation between students and companies.
This was followed by presentations on Tata Steel's Green Steel ambitions, with Mark Denys on leadership in complex change, André Knol (Innomics) on strategic area development and stakeholder management, and Patrick Swart (Techport) on ten years of Techport - with a special focus on best practices and the ever-recurring #HOEDAN question.
A look to the future
The day ended with a cruise through the port of IJmuiden, a visit to the world's largest sea lock and dinner on Fort Island, where the insights of the day were reflected upon.
And it tastes like more: a return visit to Vienna and Bratislava is planned in spring 2026, to explore the innovative power of their region. We are also preparing a study trip to Norway, focusing on energy transition, offshore and onshore wind and hydropower - and how Norwegian industry is driving its sustainability.
In short: #VREPEATABLE. Because the more we share, the faster we move forward together.