Programme manager Marieke ter Brugge leads efforts to strengthen Twente's top work locations

Under the leadership of programme manager Marieke ter Brugge, work will be carried out in the coming years to establish strong links between and firmly position the region's leading physical work locations: Kennispark Twente, Technology Base, High Tech Systems Park, XL Businesspark Almelo and Connect-U.

Collaboration and connection

Next Tech Twente is firmly committed to community management, stimulating collaboration between companies, knowledge institutions and talent, and developing joint programming that leads to new collaborations and innovative projects. This approach directly contributes to strengthening the business climate for both established and new companies in the MedTech & Health, ChipTech, Advanced Manufacturing, Materials, Smart IT, Robotics and Safety & Security sectors.

Programme manager starts

Marieke ter Brugge, who started as programme manager on 6 May, is no stranger to the region. With her extensive experience in marketing, collaboration within the regional ecosystem and her connecting role in the network of entrepreneurs, government and education, she brings a valuable combination of expertise and Twente involvement. Previously, she was director-manager of Enschede Promotie and worked for companies such as Grolsch, Bolletje, Zuivelhoeve and Twente Milieu. She is currently active for IKT-Twente and also works as interim team manager at LeerwerkLoket at ROC van Twente.

Building on a strong foundation

The foundation for Next Tech Twente has been laid in recent years in close collaboration between the top work locations, the municipalities of Almelo, Hengelo and Enschede, and Novel-T. Support from the Regio Deal and the Province of Overijssel has made it possible to strengthen location profiles, develop joint branding and organise successful community events such as Campus Cafés. The official launch of Next Tech Twente heralds a new phase in which collaboration, technology and sustainability come together. Twente wants to realise its ambitions in the areas of a circular economy, future-proof energy and innovative healthcare — as a green technological top region in which companies, knowledge institutions and government work together intensively on the future. A subsidy has been granted from the Agenda for Twente for a period of three years. The consortium of parties has been expanded to include Twente Board Development and Saxion Centre for Entrepreneurship.

Victor-Jan Leurs, director of Twente Board Development, is delighted with the launch. ‘With the start of the Next Tech Twente programme, we are taking a significant step towards putting Twente even more firmly on the map as a leading green technology region. By connecting innovation, talent and enterprise, we are building a future in which Twente is at the forefront of tomorrow's technology.’

Bertyl Lankhaar, director of Kennispark Twente, adds on behalf of the top work locations: ‘I am incredibly proud of the step we are taking with the Next Tech Twente programme to achieve greater cohesion and connection between businesses, knowledge institutions and government bodies. We are all looking beyond our own boundaries, which is necessary to truly demonstrate the progressiveness and entrepreneurship of this leading technology region. We look forward to embarking on this adventure together with Marieke.