From 2009 – 2014 I had the final responsibility for the project Mechatronics for SMEs. Through this project € 18 million was available for cross-border innovation within German and Dutch SMEs in the border region. This resulted in more than 100 development projects leading to new and innovative products. Together with many Dutch and German partners I worked on that common goal: a significant cross-border economic impulse for the border region. German and Dutch companies and knowledge institutions exchanged a large amount of know how.
A German entrepreneur “discovered” a Dutch university of applied sciences, new business started and innovative products and new services resulted in more employment. And in addition Dutch – German SME meetings started on medical technology and e-mobility. The cooperation was not always easy. But the result is a successful approach to bring SMEs to cross-border innovation through an intense cooperation between German and Dutch organizations!
