IO's innovation calendar: February

There are countless events and lectures organized every year for innovation professionals. Can't see the forest for the trees? Or do you need inspiration? Good news! Every month, IO gives you an overview of exciting events for that period. Whether you're interested in artificial intelligence, sustainability, or healthcare, there's something for everyone. We group them by region.

Southern Netherlands

A cybersecurity event on Feb. 7, 2024. It is organized by High Tech NL at the Evoluon in Eindhoven. This congress focuses specifically on protecting valuable information within the (chain of) high-tech manufacturing industry.

Innovating in healthcare: something you're working on? On Tuesday, February 11, 2025, the Smart Care Relay will take place in Eindhoven. This is organized by Zorg voor Innoveren and Zorginnovatie.nl. This event is aimed at care innovators who want to develop their ideas and see them through. During the afternoon, participants will meet in different rounds with relevant organizations that can support them in improving or developing their care innovation. The event will conclude with a networking reception.

Then: an interesting lecture on chemicals, on Feb. 19 at Eindhoven University of Technology. We are inundated with information and warnings about the toxicity of chemicals. The dangers of pesticides are associated with Parkinson's disease. There is also an increased risk of cancer for people living near Tata Steel or Chemours plants. Toxicologist Martin van den Berg offers a nuanced perspective on the potential harmful effects.

Northern Netherlands

An event on AI is being planned. On Feb. 13 an event will be held in Groningen by Samenwerking Noord on the application of AI in organizations. The AI wave is inevitable, and many organizations have now recognized the urgency of this technology. But how do you discover the opportunities and apply AI successfully within your organization? The event will cover the opportunities as well as the ethical and legal frameworks essential for protecting organizations, employees, and customers.

This month also marks the opening of a very innovative building in Groningen: ROAM. It is a completely self-sufficient and circular building on the Zernike Campus, designed and built by students. Its purpose is to stimulate interaction between education, research, businesses, and campus visitors. The building provides space for exhibitions, workplaces and serves as a meeting place. ROAM is constructed from sustainable materials from demolished buildings and is energy-independent. The project is an important part of the innovative collaboration on campus and will be officially opened on Feb. 27 , with an exhibition on circular innovation from East Groningen. You can sign up for it.

Something else interesting on Feb. 27. Forum Groningen is hosting an event on water management in the Netherlands. Meriam Tuinhof will discuss with experts and researchers how we as a society can safely deal with water in the future. The Netherlands, known for its dikes, pumping stations, and delta works, has a unique relationship with water, but climate change and intensive drinking water use are increasingly putting this relationship to the test. This knowledge café is organized in collaboration with Science LinX and Forum Groningen.

Eastern Netherlands

Another AI event: in Nijmegen. On Feb. 13, the Radboud AI Event: Collaboration for Sustainable Growth will be held, where AI professionals from both business and academia will have the opportunity to talk to each other. What opportunities are there for AI collaboration?

Within the industry, 3D printing is increasingly developing as a serious option for industrial applications. On February 21, Oceanz is organizing an expert table on industrial 3D printing in Ede. During this session, entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to discuss their specific cases with the experts from Oceanz, a company focused on guiding organizations in implementing advanced technologies such as 3D printing.

If you're investing in a sustainable industry, how can you be sure it's sustainable? On Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, the Dufas College Tour will take place in Enschede, where Martijn Rozemuller, CEO Europe at VanEck, will talk about asset management and sustainable investments. He will share his views on how to assess risk in investing, how to check whether an investment is sustainable and whether AI can help improve investment strategies. Afterwards, there will be free refreshments.

Western Netherlands

Women in AI: they are plentiful. Join us at the Women in AI Benelux Gala on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, for an evening honoring the impressive women working in the field of AI. These are 18 inspiring women at the forefront of innovation and leadership.

More AI on Friday, Feb. 7. A course from Algorythm Academy that will teach you all about data science and AI. In this course, you'll discover the key concepts and applications of both AI and DS, learn the differences between the two, and gain insight into common misconceptions. Whether you're a startup entrepreneur, a hiring manager, or a career switcher, this course is for anyone who wants to learn more about this fast-growing industry.

Then: hydrogen. NWO and GroenvermogenNL are opening a new line of research focused on hydrogen and green electrons for specialties and fine chemicals. Want to know more about this topic? Then come to the information session on Feb. 13 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Jaarbeurs MeetUp in Utrecht. Here you will not only get insight into the program and application procedure, but you can also ask all your questions.