Dutch campuses are 'the engines of economic growth and innovation'

Campuses and science parks play a crucial role in the economic growth and innovation of the Netherlands. According to a report published today by Buck Consultants International, commissioned by the National Campus Consultation (NCO), these knowledge and innovation locations are responsible for a significant increase in employment, new business activity, and innovative solutions to societal challenges. Over the past six years, 22,000 new jobs have been realized at now 3,000 companies on the Netherlands' twenty main campuses and science parks. “Employment on these campuses is growing three to four times faster than total employment in the municipalities in which they are located.”

The Dutch campuses and science parks are essential for job growth and new business activity. Innovations and innovative collaborations result in solutions that accelerate societal transitions. NCO chairman Edward van der Meer is proud of the renewed confirmation from the study: “The campus organizations are pleased with the study results. The significant growth and attraction of campuses is visible, growth that results in economic and social impact.”

The Netherlands now has 35 campuses in various stages of development, up from 29 in 2018. These campuses act as magnets for innovative companies and talent, stimulating not only regional but also national growth. The report shows that employment at companies in these locations has increased by nearly 50% over the past six years, compared with an average growth rate of 17% in the immediate surrounding area.

Three new top campuses

Of particular note in the list is the growth of Brainport Industries Campus, Novio Tech Campus in Nijmegen, and Brightlands Maastricht Health Campus. These three leaped a growth campus (the second category) to a mature campus (the top category). As a result, Eindhoven is the only Dutch city with three campuses in the top group. High Tech Campus Eindhoven is also the campus with the highest number of employees.

Brainport Industries Campus director Erik Veurink is enormously pleased with BIC's promotion to the highest league. “That we accomplish this while we have been here for just six years is unprecedented. To already be among the top campuses in the Netherlands feels like we are in the Champions League of soccer, the Formula 1 of motorsports, or among Michelin's star restaurants. This has given us the recognition that we are working so hard for every day, thanks in part to the efforts of everyone involved. This independent research shows everyone the great value of our concept, thus contributing to taking the entire high-tech industry to the next level.”

The Netherlands has 20 mature and growth campuses, accounting for 200,000 professionals working at innovative companies and knowledge institutions. These campuses, according to the study, attract startups with their ecosystems, support further development into scale-ups, and are a magnet and hotbed for talent, capital, and companies. Van der Meer: “This not only strengthens the local economy but also the international position of the Netherlands as a knowledge and innovation country.”

Innovative strength of Dutch campuses is crucial for future economic growth

Innovationspotter report calls for dialogue between government, business and educational institutions to ensure that campuses continue to function as engines of growth and innovation.

Targeted investments needed

One of the most striking trends is the doubling number of startups on growth and mature campuses, from 400 in 2018 to nearly 900 in 2024. This highlights these locations' attractiveness for young companies seeking high-quality facilities and networks. In addition to startups, there are also almost 600 spinoffs, demonstrating that existing knowledge institutions and companies provide a fertile base for new initiatives.

The impact of campuses is not limited to their direct area. They attract new business activity to surrounding regions and strengthen local and national economies. With targeted investments in facilities, accessibility, and cooperation, these campuses can further strengthen their role as economic engines, the researchers write in their recommendations. They therefore call for more facilities for attracting foreign talent, support for shared research facilities, and structural funding of campus organizations by public parties.

Growth and cooperation

The NCO unites the top (mature) campuses in the Netherlands, namely Amsterdam Science Park, Brightlands Chemelot Campus, Groningen Campus, High Tech Campus Eindhoven, Kennispark Twente, Leiden Bio Science Park, TU Delft Campus, TU Eindhoven, Utrecht Science Park and Wageningen Campus. Together, these campuses form an essential network that brings together companies, startups, knowledge institutions, and government institutes to accelerate innovations. Novio Tech Campus, Brightlands Maastricht Health Campus, and Brainport Industries Campus now receive an invitation to join NCO.

According to Van der Meer, the research highlights the role of campuses in finding answers to societal challenges and accelerating technological progress. “By working together as campuses, we create a flywheel for responsible, national economic growth and provide a platform to address broad societal issues, such as sustainability, digitalization and health.”

Brainport Eindhoven: an innovation powerhouse

Eindhoven can now call itself home to three mature campuses: the High Tech Campus, the TU/e Campus, and the Brainport Industries Campus. Together, these locations have created thousands of new jobs, with a strong focus on high-tech and sustainability. For example, the Brainport Industries Campus has become a crucial hub for the innovative manufacturing industry, with major companies such as ASML expanding their operations substantially.

The High Tech Campus, once a Philips R&D site (the “NatLab”), has developed into a vibrant ecosystem of startups, scale-ups, and multinationals. Here, the focus is on AI, health solutions, and sustainable technologies. Meanwhile, the TU/e Campus focuses on spin-offs and cooperation between knowledge institutes and companies.

“Three campuses in the top league of the Netherlands: that's truly unique and says everything about the position of the Brainport region and even more about the strategic strength of our campuses,” says Brainport and Economy alderman Stijn Steenbakkers. "Here we are not only working on the future of Brainport Eindhoven, but on that of the whole of the Netherlands and Europe. The fact that the relatively young Brainport Industries Campus, in addition to High Tech Campus and TU/e Campus, has now been added to this top class is a truly great achievement and well deserved."

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Nijmegen and Maastricht emerge

Nijmegen and Maastricht are also prominent players. Together with the Lifeport Kennispark, the Noviotech Campus in Nijmegen has developed into a hub for health technology and chip companies. Companies like NXP and Ampleon benefit from its proximity to the Radboudumc and the university.

In Maastricht, the Brightlands Maastricht Health Campus is an example of how cooperation between universities and companies can lead to innovations in life sciences and health. With growth in both companies and employment, this campus shows how a focused sector strategy gets results. Mosa Meat is one of the stars of this campus.