Millions available for Campus projects

The Dutch government has made almost € 25 million available for five Campus projects in Helmond, Eindhoven and Sittard-Geleen. The money is for the Shared Technical Facilities and Accelarator Centre of the High Tech Automotive Campus in Helmond
(€ 4.9 million), the Device Process Building (€ 5.2 million) and BETA II (€ 5.81 million) at High Tech Campus Eindhoven, and the Accelarator and conference rooms at Chemelot in Sittard-Geleen (€ 8.67 million together). Maria van der Hoeven, the Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs, explained why she has made the money available: “These campuses are excellent for the development of the Southeast Netherlands as a top technology region. Companies need more and more knowledge, and more intricate knowledge, and they need it increasingly faster. Open innovation is one solution, but it can only happen in collaboration. Knowledge developed within companies needs to be exchanged. To do so, companies need to be literally physically close to each other. Only then can we move from knowledge and skill to till. Because, after all, that is the bottom line.”

Canadian micro giant asks Holst Centre to conduct research

The Canadian company, Terepac Corporation, will join forces with IMEC to research a new packaging technology based on wireless microelectronics. Terepac specialises in the miniaturisation of electronics, packaging technology and assembly.
The Canadian company has developed a system that can print various sizes of electronic components at high speeds and at thicknesses of only a few microns with great accuracy. The system leaves its competitors far behind in terms of low production prices and high performance. Together with IMEC, Terepac wants to further research the technology and the applications of microelectronics. Holst Centre will be conducting the research within its Human++ Program. The partnership with Terepac is a unique opportunity for Holst Centre to expand the scope of its laboratory work into the industrialisation of intelligent wireless sensor systems.

Capgemini sees future for Business Information Management

Capgemini Group - which has an office on the Campus - will invest worldwide in Business Information Management (BIM), a mixture of services that will enable business to improve the management of their business information. Organisations are increasingly searching for new strategies and ways to better utilise the potential of the giant accumulation of fragmented data stored in company applications. To support organisations to do so, Capgemini Group will hire or reallocate 3,000 additional consultants worldwide. Capgemini will also set up a ‘Center of Excellence’ in India, where, to begin with, 1,000 specialists will start developing the latest BIM solutions for customers all over the world. This is the first announcement in a series of new strategic initiatives that will be launched worldwide by Capgemini Group over the next six months.

Tyco Electronics holds annual conference in Eindhoven

Tyco Electronics decided to hold its second annual TE Technical Conference at High Tech Campus Eindhoven. Tyco Electronics is a leading global provider of engineered electronic components, network solutions, specialty products and undersea telecommunication systems. The conference, which was attended by more than 200 of Tyco Electronics’ engineering, technical and management team members, brought many of the company’s leading innovators together to learn from each other, share ideas, collaborate on new initiatives and fuel Tyco Electronics’ innovative spirit. One of the highlights of the conference in October was keynote speaker Rick Harwig, CTO at Philips. Jan Broeksteeg, Tyco Electronics’ chairman of this year’s conference planning committee commented, “This really was a unique and exciting event. Having so many of our technical team members together for a few days is extremely valuable. You could just feel the energy in the air. High Tech Campus Eindhoven provided a very conducive atmosphere for the three days. We received many nice comments and compliments on having our event at this facility.” Each year the TE Technical Conference is held in a different region of the world. Next year’s challenge will be finding a venue that fits the conference’s needs as well as the Campus did.

High Tech Campus Eindhoven wins Dutch Design Award

Apart from its activities related to the Dutch Design Week, the Campus has also won a genuine Dutch Design Award – for the ‘best public exterior’. The Campus was nominated together with Park Over-Bos in Breda, also a development of Juurlink [+] Geluk landscape architects, and the info pavilion Zeche Zollverein (Observatory). The jury said that High Tech Campus Eindhoven had shown that a business park does not necessarily have to be ugly. “The integration of green and water and the well-considered styling of the buildings make the Campus an environment that is inviting to be in and this is important to people who spend a great deal of their time in it.” The Dutch Design Awards are awards for the best of Dutch design, and they consist of a competition and an exhibition that travels internationally.

Business competition AA Challenge roars into
the second round

The Amsterdam Antwerp Challenge, the ultimate competition for up-and-coming innovation and business talents, is entering its second round. The overall quality of the entries was high. The jury saw many creative ideas go past in the round ‘100 words business idea’. Ten promising contenders have already seen their ideas rewarded with 100 euros. In round two the stakes will be higher. Now the contenders will have to translate their ideas into business plans. They will receive coaching and attend workshops while doing this. In this round they can earn 1,000 euros and – always good to know – everyone can participate again. You do not necessarily have to have won a prize in the first round. The contenders go through the rounds like this, with the prizes becoming bigger and bigger and contenders gradually moving closer to the realisation of their ideas. The Amsterdam Antwerp Challenge is an initiative of Philips, MediaGuild, and High Tech Campus Eindhoven. The Amsterdam Antwerp Challenge is a unique opportunity for business innovators to emerge as entrepreneurs within a period of four months and to actually realise their innovative ideas, supported by a network of experts, entrepreneurs, and financiers.

DHL Service point at The Strip

High Tech Campus Eindhoven is announcing a new service for its residents,
a DHL Service Point. The DHL Service Point is located in the Shop-in-Shop (above the Grand Café). Residents can use the DHL Service Point to send or collect packages. This makes it easy, for instance, to ship and return shipments to and from home shopping organisations. Tracking Control can be used to follow the status of the shipments. For more information, please visit the website.
Opening hours of the Shop-in-Shop: Monday to Friday from 9.00 hours to 17.00 hours.

MiPlaza integrates services into Testing,
Measurement and Analysis Group

As of 1 October, MiPlaza has clustered three existing departments into a new group:
the Testing, Measurement and Analysis (TMA) Group. As its new boss Hans Damsteegt explains, the TMA Group places MiPlaza in a stronger position to provide crucial support to innovative companies throughout the Brainport region. In total, some 90 people are now working in the TMA Group, which is actually a cluster of three existing departments: the Material Analysis department, the Electronic and Photonic Instrumentation department (EFI), and a new addition to MiPlaza, the e-Science Support department.
The TMA Group supports customers in many ways. Hans Damsteegt: “We test the reliability of their products, analyse material defects, verify product claims, support our customers with specialised IT and measurement automation, help them enhance their manufacturing process – even rent them specialist equipment when they need it. But it is not just a ‘passive’ service we are offering: if any issues are thrown up by our tests, we also work with customers to find effective solutions. It is very much a complete service pack.”

e-Science Support joins MiPlaza

The e-Science Support team recently transferred from Philips Research ICT to the MiPlaza Division. The team specialises in providing the advanced, non-generic, IT support and services that researchers need to meet the innovation challenges of the 21st century.
The e-Science Support department provides consultancy, practical assistance and project support for research-specific IT activities, explains Arie Kaizer, Department Head. “In practice, this means we create research-specific IT applications and infrastructures, and provide consultancy and support on a wide range of issues, such as data management, the MATLAB programming language, or on how to run scientific applications within the IT infrastructure.” At present, the team at e-Science Support is working on an extremely diverse array of projects – including everything from a control system for public lighting systems, through simulating how bloodstreams work, to providing consultancy services on how to handle and secure sensitive healthcare data.

iRex Technologies launches new 8.1-inch
consumer e-Reader in USA

iRex Technologies is writing a new chapter in digital reading with a combination of technology that offers both a traditional reading experience and an open system for purchasing and sending content. The company is launching its iREX DR800SG, a compact 8.1 inch, touch screen e-Reader that is linked to the 3G connectivity platform. Apart from the modern design, its users can enjoy the many sources from which to purchase books, newspapers and magazines. The product also supports several file formats including the industry standard ePub, plus several DRM formats. This means that it is an open system, in contrast to many systems that allow only proprietary file formats. The new iRex eReader is carried by partners such as Barnes & Noble, Inc., Best Buy, Qualcomm and Verizon Wireless who, together, provide the virtual shop floor, the content, and a reliable wireless network.

Pasteur 2.0 at MiPlaza

Back in the 19th century, Louis Pasteur developed – and gave his name to – the pasteurisation process. Today, MiPlaza is involved in a new initiative that builds on this impressive legacy. The Pasteur Project aims to guarantee the quality of perishable goods throughout the logistics chain. How? By integrating a new kind of wireless sensor platform within standard packaging solutions.
The wireless platform – based on an intelligent RFID package –can be inserted easily and inexpensively into the whole range of packaging solutions. The Pasteur Project aims to develop a solution that can be used at the lower end of the market for products as diverse as vegetables, pharmaceuticals and blood bags. In this sense, what MiPlaza is trying to do is really quite radical – there’s nothing like this available today. (quote?) The project involves a consortium that includes MiPlaza, as well as other teams from Philips, NXP and DSM.

Texas Instruments Incorporated

On High Tech Campus Eindhoven since: 1 September 2009
Employees at this office: 6
Website: www.ti.com

What is the company's core activity?
Texas Instruments is a multinational technology company and one of the world’s leading chip manufacturers. TI develops both analogue and digital signal processing as well as RF and DLP® semi-conductor technologies, which ensure that producers of consumer electronics are able to produce products that perform better, work more efficiently and more accurately, and are more flexible.

Why did TI decide to set up an office on the Campus?
In order to continue to grow in the future we are strengthening our focus on the regional markets in Europe. This means that we want to operate close to our customers so we can react even more effectively to their demands and requirements. Our new office on High Tech Campus Eindhoven shows that we have great expectations of the Benelux market. We also anticipate that an innovative region such as Brainport will generate above-average growth.

Biotech Systems Platform

On High Tech Campus Eindhoven since: Biotech Systems Platform is now operating directly from High Tech Campus Eindhoven; the secretariat had already been located on the Campus for some time.
Employees at this office: 3
Website: www.bsp-platform.nl

What is the company's core activity?
Biotech Systems Platform promotes innovation and collaboration between companies and knowledge institutes in Biotechnology, Life Sciences and High-Tech Systems. Parties are brought together through the exchange of knowledge, financing and offering network opportunities.

Why did BSP decide to set up an office on the Campus?
It was the obvious thing to do, because the founding fathers of the platform were all already present in the Bèta building. We also benefit from the excellent exposure of the Campus when we contact people within or outside the region.

Rob van Gijzel

Rob van Gijzel: Doubt has turned into a new form of awareness

Brainport has finally been recognised by the authorities in The Hague as a substantial contributor to the Dutch economy. Brainport has been put on a par with the two main economic pillars of Amsterdam and Rotterdam. To achieve this recognition, a strong lobby had to be deployed. E-magine talked about it with Rob van Gijzel, Mayor of Eindhoven.

Brainport’s road to recognition, was it a difficult process?
Yes, because it involved three important elements. The first one was the status of Brainport; in other words: its label. Then it was about political responsibility. And finally it involved financial accountability. Brainport was already an important regional economy with some status. The government has now recognized Brainport as a pillar of the national economy, which means that political responsibility and financial accountability are added. It is a step that the region has earned with its major investments in the collaboration structure between knowledge institutes, business, and government authorities. For all of us it was a process of pushing and pulling hard to receive this recognition. The doubts about how strong we were have been turned into a new form of awareness. That certainly applies to our economic position, but also when you think in terms of design, technology, and sports.

Do you see the result of the lobby in The Hague as a personal victory?
No, it is an important step in which many people have collaborated. As the Mayor of Eindhoven and the chairman of the Brainport Association I may have been the client, but that does not necessarily mean that it is a personal success. It is a success for the entire region, which has fought to achieve this with lots of strength and energy. But we are not there yet. Especially now we need to live up to what we have built up over the past five years. Let’s face it, the name Brainport has only been in existence for five years. But with the cohesion and the recognisability that we have jointly created, we can go far.

There is now a clear directive to expand Brainport over the coming years: how will you set about doing that?
First of all, we are going to do it together, as we have already been doing for several years. We will probably choose an approach with an independent chairman and various round tables.

What do you want Brainport to have achieved by 2020?
A strong economic region with worldwide exposure. Brainport will be in the Top 3 of the most intelligent communities in the world. In terms of design we will be one of the leading regions as well. We have the potential; we have shown it over the past few months in the race to become 2012 World Design Capital. But much more important: in 2020 there will be lots of work for the majority of people who live in this region, and the region will be attractive for expats to live and work in. It will also be a region with a clear profile – an international profile.

What will the city of Eindhoven look like by then?
It will be an even more dynamic city than it is now. It will offer a good combination of life and work, sports and design, but above all it will be a city in the centre of a region that is great to live in; a city that is clearly the heart of an economic region of great importance; a city with an international presence in which both locals and knowledge workers feel at home.

How do you see High Tech Campus Eindhoven in light of these and future developments?
High Tech Campus Eindhoven is the engine that started many developments in and around Eindhoven. The Campus must retain its innovative power. The Campus will become and remain a breeding ground for innovative funds and technological progress. An example of this, I believe, is the good news that Bèta II and the Device Process Building can be built thanks to government investment.

How can the Campus support you?
The municipality and High Tech Campus Eindhoven are and will remain partners.

Go for the snow

Winter is rapidly approaching. For many people, this is a good reason to go and find their skis and go to more snowy places. Do you want to prepare your knees for winter as well and experience a bit of the action already? Then come to the Campus Wellness Center for a warm-up for winter sports. High Five Health Promotion has developed special training cards to prepare you thoroughly for a week of downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, and snowboarding. Experience has taught us that many people underestimate the physical stamina you need for these sports. The answer is to prepare properly.
The promotion runs until 14 March 2010. Are you interested?
Please contact the fitness instructor by mail or call 0031 (0) 40 274 67 85.

Happy hour in The Mart

Having your lunch at The Mart is even more appealing during the last weeks of the year. After 13.00 hours a cup of coffee, tea or cappuccino is free of charge. This promotion is valid until 31 December 2009.

Catering and doughnut service

Make life easier for yourself during the festive season: order your Christmas dinner from the specialists at The Lounge. The dinner can be home delivered (pay directly to the driver), or it can be collected on 24 December. We also offer our Oliebollen Service to everyone who has to work on 31 December. You can pick up your traditional Dutch doughnuts, ‘oliebollen’, (advance ordering) on 31 December up to 15.00 hours in the Grand Café.

Christmas at The Strip

The Strip will bring Christmas cheer to the Campus from 14 to 24 December. We will be selling glühwein (hot punch), hot chocolate and a variety of hot snacks from our famous little chalet in front of the Grand Café. The shops in The Strip will hand out vouchers when you visit them. Music, lighting and attractive decorations will complete the picture.

Dutch Design Week at High Tech Campus Eindhoven

19 to 23 October 2009.

Océ now in Japanese hands

The Dutch printer manufacturer, Océ, will almost certainly be taken over by the multinational company Canon. The Japanese company is willing to pay € 730 million for Océ. The merger will have no effect on employment. Read the article here.

Eindhoven’s Hotspot for Human Innovation

The wall in The Strip depicts an Albert Einstein quote: ‘Logic will take you from A to B. Emagination will take you everywhere.’ This is the typical mindset of people who are lucky enough to work in this Mecca of R&D. Read the article here.

The Hague anticipates an important economic role for Brainport

Maria van der Hoeven, the Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs, has asked Eindhoven’s Mayor, Rob van Gijzel, to come up with a vision and a development programme for Brainport that is comparable to the Air Traffic Memorandum (Schiphol, Amsterdam) and the Port Vision (Rotterdam). Read the article here.

Foreign companies have not discovered the Eindhoven site yet

Ever since Philips decided to open up the Natuurkundig Laboratorium (NatLab) in Eindhoven to other high-tech companies, approximately ninety companies have set up shop on the site. Nowadays, the ‘smartest square kilometre of the Netherlands’ generates 50% of all national patents. Read the article here.