The week of IO+: changing the world, but not right now
Every Sunday, our weekly review offers an overview of the most interesting stories around important innovations.
Published on June 15, 2025
Incooling founders Rudie Verweij and Helena Samodurova
As editor-in-chief, Aafke oversees all content and events but loves writing herself. She makes complex topics accessible and tells the stories behind technology.
Putting in seven years of hard work to turn an idea into a thriving business. Eindhoven-based Incooling set out to tackle one of the tech industry's most significant challenges: the enormous energy consumption of data centers, where cooling alone can account for more than 40 percent of total power consumption.
The idea, in a world generating more data than ever, seems more relevant than ever. Led by Rudie Verweij and Helena Samodurova, Incooling went far beyond research. In collaboration with AMD, it claimed to have built the world's fastest single-socket server, won multiple industry awards, attracted foreign investment, and entered into partnerships with players such as ASML.
But after more than seven years of pushing the boundaries of what sustainable data center technology can be, Eindhoven startup Incooling is closing its operations in their current form. “Despite market needs, acceptance remains slow due to a deeply ingrained traditional mindset,” the entrepreneurs said on LinkedIn in a farewell message. The company evolved from hardware cooling technology to a full-service computer server provider, but struggled to find enough paying customers to sustain operations.
And that takes guts. To say; not right now’ and not be ashamed of that. I think it's cool.
Speaking of Gerard & Anton, you can sign up now for the annual Gerard & Anton Awards, where we will announce ten new winners. Be there, because last year's tickets ‘sold’ out quickly.
Solar power tops $3.3 trillion energy investment boom
Global energy investments are expected to increase to a record $3.3 trillion, according to a new report from the International Energy Agency (IEA). Despite geopolitical and economic challenges, funding remains strong as clean energy technology attracts double the money as fossil fuels. What does this amount really mean? Mauro found out in the newest Behind the Figures episode.
And then there was this:
- Mandatory helmets? A bike lane requirement would be much smarter
- Pedals, paint, and pixels: Orestis Spyrou’s Dutch journey
- A tiny pill with the potential to tackle big gut issues
- Smart heat trick makes vaccine production safer, cheaper
- Dutch breakthrough: first steps toward IVF in space
- Dijsselbloem: months to come are decisive for high tech industry
- Microscopy of tomorrow: Chromodynamics' hyperspectral innovations
Want to make sure you don't miss a thing? You can find an overview of all our articles here. Have a great Sunday!
Aafke Eppinga, hoofdredacteur IO+