IO's week: It's all about Drachten

Something beautiful happens when men in blue overalls take their plastic lunch boxes under their arms to the cafeteria. We are talking about Drachten, the innovative hotspot Fred Bakker chose as an example for Europe. And where indeed no train will ever come - sorry hipster! This is where multinationals and local companies create an environment where competition is complemented by smart forms of cooperation. Education and government also play a role. Fred Bakker demonstrates the importance of this model, as well as the potential benefits on a local and national level.

“In Drachten, as a visitor, you won't find beanbag chairs, table football games, hipster bars, or other exponents of today's startup mentality. Drachten takes you 50 years back in time. But behind that traditional facade is a new world of collaboration and knowledge sharing.” Want to know more about this exciting model? Then, first, read our article about the Drachten case study here and order your ticket for the public interview our editor-in-chief, Aafke Eppinga, has with him on Sept. 12.

IO and Jakajima: Agrifood Innovation Event 2024

with two main topics: Beyond 3D Food Printing and Vertical Farming. In preparation, read this interview with Peter Nieuwkerk, CEO of Gastronology and one of the speakers at the Agrifood Innovation Event.

And here's what else caught our eye last week:

• Not Homo Sapiens, but Homo Techno (the What If column by Elcke Vels)
• Leap in heart care: remote echocardiograms prove highly accurate
• Research: 1200 locations in the Netherlands suitable for Energy Hubs
• Huge battery on power grid next year
• No more hassle for expats: this AI agent arranges emigration via WhatsApp
• At J58, the end user is central: 'You can fill a cemetery with innovations that ignore end user needs'
• Silicon sampling: AI personas offer new insights for market research, albeit with limitations
• Laboratory test after surgery predicts lifespan of donor kidney

Have a great week!