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First draft of program iMNC21 published, register now!

The program for the international MicroNanoConference 2021 is well underway with speakers from academia and industry. On December 2 and 3, 2021 we look forward to meeting you on location in Utrecht, at the Jaarbeurs.

This year’s main theme is: From science to market – scale-up in nanotech

With these sub sessions, that you will find in the program:

  • Nano4Health & Life Sciences
  • Nano4Agri& Food
  • Scale-up in nanotechnology
  • Miniturization in nanotechnology
  • Manufacturing in nanotechnology
  • Life after PhD

Tickets are now available at an early bird rate and it is now also possible to submit an abstract for either a poster or oral presentation at the conference. Read more about the program, tickets and abstract submission on the iMNC21 website.

For companies who would like to both support the micro- nano community and also showcase their company to this community, sponsor and exhibitor opportunities will be published soon.

Read more: micronanoconference.org

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Nanotechnology for better food packaging event succesfull

How can we ensure that the food that is produced lasts longer, food waste is decreased and a better distribution of the food among all population groups is ensured? During the MinacNed member event on May 20, the talks were on the application of nanotechnology in plastic food packaging. The technical presentations on the science behind the innovation, but the goal of the speakers is clear: Increase the sustainability of our food and reduce the plastic waste mountain in order to contribute to a better world.

Dr Albert Schenning from Eindhoven University of Technology and PhD student Ivanna Colijn, Wageningen University have shared a clear story that can still be seen for those who missed it. The presentations were followed by an interesting discussion with questions from the participants.

Read more about the invited speakers on the event page.

Share your own idea for a theme

The MinacNed events are organized for and by MinacNed members. Once a month MinacNed organizes an event around a technical or social theme in micro and nanotechnology.

If you have an idea for an event or if you have a question that you would like to tackle with experts, please send a message to MinacNed. The MinacNed member events are for and by members and we are happy to think along with you about speakers and the content of the event.

Contact us direct to share your ideas.

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Another €24 million for Dutch start-ups in artificial intelligence, Medtech and water technology

Dutch State Secretary Mona Keijzer expects this financial support for innovation to help several dozen new knowledge-intensive companies get off the ground in the coming years.
Bart Brouwers

The Dutch government is allocating 24 million euros for start-ups that can grow thanks to knowledge from research. Three collaborations between innovative companies, universities, other knowledge institutions, and (venture) investors in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), Medtech, and water technology are involved. This is the second tender of the so-called Thematic Technology Transfer (TTT) scheme.

In September 2019, the Dutch government made the same amount available for collaborations in the fields of regenerative medicine, smart systems, and circular solutions. According to the government, this support has now led to the first investments such as in a startup developing a biological drug against thrombosis.

The Netherlands Enterprise Agency and the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) selected the three consortia. Each consortium will receive 8 million euros of the available 24 million euros.

1. Artificial intelligence

The first collaboration will focus on the application of artificial intelligence within the themes of healthcare and security. Coordinated by the University of Amsterdam, five Dutch universities, four university medical centers, the Center for Mathematics and Computer Science, and the Eindhoven-based venture investor LUMO Labs will participate.

TTT.AI is intended to become the Dutch counter for AI startups that originate from a knowledge institution. “With this AI consortium we can successfully bring more AI initiatives from our knowledge institutions to the market and to society,” says Peter Westerhuijs, project leader of the consortium and business developer at IXA-UvA.

Andy Lürling, Founding Partner of LUMO Labs, says that his investment fund is already working extensively with knowledge institutions. “Thanks to this TTT.AI consortium, together we are much better able to identify promising initiatives and give them a flying start. Pioneering research and innovative development in the field of AI can thus find their way into society faster and better. Early-stage funding is indispensable to make the step from idea to impact.”

2. Medical technology for better diagnoses

A consortium of the four technical universities, university medical centers in Rotterdam, Nijmegen, and Maastricht, and the Amsterdam-based venture investor Innovation Industries are joining forces for more successful medical technology. They are building a national and open program that will bring together the right knowledge and expertise at an early stage and accelerate the market passage of medical technology innovations for better or less burdensome diagnoses and treatments, for example.

3. Water technology for energy reuse and storage

Netherlands Enabling Water Technology (NEW), the consortium for water technology, will also receive €8 million. The consortium consists of Wetsus, University of Groningen, Deltares, and Investment and Development Company North Netherlands (NOM). NEW stimulates startups with initiatives in the field of water technology to accelerate the transition to a circular, sustainable and climate-neutral economy, for example in the field of water and raw materials reuse and production and storage of energy from water.

The NEW plan consists of two parts: knowledge transfer and a fund. The partners in the knowledge transfer part will scout promising knowledge startups, have them develop at an accelerated pace and nominate the most promising startups to the NEW fund. “Without the financial support from the NEW fund, many good ideas in the water technology field will ultimately not make it to the market,” said an explanation from NEW. “Through the combined knowledge and broad expertise, stronger innovations will be developed by the knowledge starters. This, in combination with the NEW fund managed by NOM, will lead to more promising knowledge startups and a faster transition of startups to the growth phase.”

“The Netherlands as an innovation leader”

State Secretary Mona Keijzer expects that with this targeted financial support for innovation, several dozen new knowledge-intensive companies can get off the ground in the coming years. “The Netherlands is Europe’s innovation leader and we want to remain so. This scheme focuses on technological cooperation between science and entrepreneurs and gives a boost to our future jobs and income. It is important that we focus on innovation for both the short and long term in the current economic crisis.”

Original article: Innovation Origins

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Global center for food innovation is coming to the Netherlands

The Netherlands will be the center for global food innovation with the Global Coordinating Secretariat (GCS) in Wageningen. Prime Minister Rutte announced this during a digital meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF). The GCS is part of the food system initiative of the WEF to drive innovations and new technologies in the food chain that contribute to global food security. From the Netherlands, the GCS directs the further development of global regional food innovation hubs, including the European hub in Food Valley Wageningen.

Worldwide, nearly 2 billion people lack access to adequate, nutritious and safe food and 690 million people suffer from chronic hunger or lack of proper nutrition. The expected growth of the world population and the consequences of the climate crisis only increase the urgency of this food insecurity. So we have to produce more and smarter food than ever before.

Minister Schouten of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality: “The Dutch agri-food, horticulture and breeding sectors are global players when it comes to knowledge and techniques for the sustainable production and processing of food. This knowledge and innovation is already going all over the world, for example Simon Groot’s company East-West Seed, which provides millions of small farmers with good seeds. With FoodValley as the European Food Hub in the WEF and the Global Coordinating Secretariat in the Netherlands, we can share that knowledge and expertise much more with the world. ”

Minister Van ‘t Wout of Economic Affairs and Climate: “The Dutch economy is one of the most innovative in the world. With the arrival of the Global Coordinating Secretariat, we can use our innovative strength even better to contribute to food security in the world. With a strong combination of companies and knowledge institutions in agri-food, horticulture, breeding, high-tech and ICT, we have all the factors in-house to play a leading role and to shape the necessary changes in the food system.”

Food Innovation Hubs

Changing the way we produce and consume food requires globally scalable innovations that match regional conditions. The regional Food Hubs play a crucial role in this by bringing farmers, companies, scientists and (other) parties from the food chain together to develop innovations and business and revenue models that contribute to a sustainable and future-proof food system. Hubs have been set up in Asia, Africa and Central and South America. FoodValley has been appointed as the European Food Hub at the global tables since November.

Global Coordinating Secretariat

The cabinet and development company Oost NL (commissioned by the province of Gelderland and the province of Overijssel) support the GCS financially and by forming a small core team. The GCS will help the regional hubs scale up, drive new regional hubs and build global partnerships for innovation. Together they ensure that knowledge and innovation for a healthy and sustainable food system are better spread around the world.

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