The week of IO+: A goodbye...

I open my laptop after a walk with the dog. Next to me, a cup of coffee. It’s Friday afternoon, and I’m starting this newsletter. I look back at all the things my team has pulled off this past week, while the weekend is already calling.

For the past two and a half years, this has been my favorite moment of the workweek. “Has been,” because today is my last time. It’s time for something new: as of November 1, I’ll be joining Dutch energy company Vandebron to help set up an in-house creative agency.

Why my job is so much fun

Last week was a perfect illustration of why I loved my job. We finalized a magazine for a partner. Elcke published the second edition of the Haagse Innovatiecheck, a series for which I’m very proud. For a new “Investment of the Month” episode, I interviewed Corjan van den Berg, who raised €24 million with his startup Revyve. He still can’t quite believe that his dream is now rolling off the line in a physical factory.

Additionally, a flood of reports arrived in my inbox, including coverage of the European Defense Innovation Summit, the LEVEL UP awards, and the opening of a new medical and biotech institute on the High Tech Campus. And that’s not even everything. And on Wednesday, I conducted a live interview during Drinks, Pitches & Demos with Jeroen Hoet, CEO of EYEO Imaging.

His tip for aspiring entrepreneurs? Be bold and go all in.

Words that also work perfectly for anyone who isn’t an entrepreneur (and is starting a new job soon, for example).

‘A fine category of people’

The best part of my job wasn’t the technology—it was the people. Every interview I did for IO+, whether with an entrepreneur, scientist, policymaker, or investor, was hopeful. The enthusiasm, drive, and resilience that everyone working in innovation and technology seems to have is truly contagious.

A second category of “people who made my work so much fun” is you: the reader. Thank you so much for your feedback, interest, and the great conversations.

And then, the last category, “people who made working for IO+ so much fun”: my colleagues. I’m going to miss them a lot.

Here’s what else we covered this week:

• Dutch Tax authorities opt for Microsoft for email and calendar
• Must-read of the week: Promises vs. actions: why IO+ investigated innovation in politics
• Twente scientists crack the code on foam recycling
• Dutch Minister: Europe must bet on tech and a true single market
• Dutch lead Europe’s secure quantum network push
• Dutch plastic recycling industry struggles with cheap new plastic
• AI’s energy hunger brings urgency and common ground among experts
• TU/e sets sights on becoming the “Semicon University of Europe”
• Also a must-read: “Work backwards from a billion”: Lex Hoefsloot on fundraising
• Millions for battery components, fungal proteins and pest control

For the last time, enjoy your Sunday!

Aafke Eppinga, editor-in-chief at IO+

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