Is Dutch Innovation Lagging Behind?
Lucien Engelen
Health(care) Strategy & Digital Transformation Maven. International Ambassador Nursing Innovation. (im)Patient. Speaker. Makes things happen.
As a strong believer and advocate for innovation, especially on digital innovation in health(care), this certainly isn’t one of the things one wants to read in a Harvard Business Review called “where the Digital Economy is moving the fastest.
Take, for example, Singapore and The Netherlands. Both are among the top 10 countries in present levels of digital evolution. But when we consider the momentum – i.e., the five-year rate of change from 2008 to 2013 – the two countries are far apart. Singapore has been steadily advancing in developing a world-class digital infrastructure, through public-private partnerships, to further entrench its status as a regional communications hub. Through on-going investment, it remains an attractive destination for start-ups and for private equity and venture capital. The Netherlands, meanwhile, has been rapidly losing steam. The Dutch government’s austerity measures beginning in late 2010 reduced investment into elements of the digital ecosystem. Its stagnant, and at times slipping, consumer demand led investors to seek greener pastures?
Nonetheless it doesn’t comes as a surprise, we háve been strong in this field over the last decades and we dó have great infrastructure. But when it comes to (digital) innovation the government is momentarily relying to much on the private sector. Recent new initiatives like the TOP-sector for instance in Life Science and healthcare, will have impact but that will not be anytime soon. As the programs are heavy, huge and bulky my honest opinion is that a more agile approach with more (entrepreneurial) smaller packages to encourage a start-up culture would have had more impact and at a higher pace. Why is it that these program often tend to aim at 2-3 great spin-outs in 10 years whereas smaller packages could boost dozens of spin-outs in 1 or 2 years.
I am very glad though that our Grand Dame Neelie Kroes after she stepped down as Euro-Commissioner, has taken the role as Dutch start-up envoy. With her background, network and spirit we will be able to boost the necessary innovation once again, hopefully beyond needed tipping point.
In the Nijmegen region a group of partners (amongst others Radboudumc) recently ignited a joint accelerator program in conjunction with Rockstart, especially aimed on Digital Health, to boost that same spirit and bring thoughts into practice, meanwhile connecting entrepreneurs with healthcare professionals ánd patients.
I know, it’s far from what is described in the HBR but if only every one of us would have a look at what they themselves can do and would stop talking about it, and start doing it. I am sure our DEI next time would be different i hope. Not for the score, but because it is fundamental to cope with the challenges we face as society.
What would your advice to our Dutch government be, to incorporate in a thorough program for — let’s say — the next 5 years ? And would you aim as well on fewer ‘pearls’ with high revenue on a stretched horizon or a bucket of ‘pearls’ in a few years ? This is not about (big) money, but also about getting rid of barriers, access to knowledge, support in maybe the most important phase of building a (digital) economy.
Exploring how Deeptech and Broadcast companies are giving Europe a competitive advantage
9 年The more I wander around the East and South of the Netherlands, the more I am convinced that some brilliant developments are going on - except they've forgotten to tell the rest of world. Brilliant technology, but only medicore storytelling. Agree that startupdelta is just the right initiative at just the right time.
Export Specialist
9 年unconvincing to put so many economy developing and booming countries before the rich world
Adviseur duurzaamheid en multifunctionele daken bij Gemeente Rotterdam - Stadsontwikkeling
9 年Nederland staat op de 20e plek, Japan op 2. Korea op 1 dacht ik. Daartussen nog wat Europese landen als Finland en Frankrijk. Duitsland doet het erg goed: die staan in de top 10.
Facilitating Business Development & Alliances re. Real Estate / Green Ventures(WTE) / Energy(power plants/turbines) / Airplanes
9 年: " when People matter and Results count" !!
Data engineer/ETL Specialist at Hogeschool Utrecht
9 年Thanks for this article, Lucien. Personally I think there are a few things that absolutely need to be dealt with before we can win back the steam. Already mentioned in the comments before, some amount of risk acceptance is necessary. Taking the leap of faith is a role for the private sector. The government however also has a role in stimulating the private sector. So they have to make sure a (legal) framework is present as soon as possible how to deal e.g. with privacy issues in the digital work. They used to wait until the products were at a final stage and then start legislation for useage. But with rapid developments like the current ones that is simply too slow. Legislation is a complex matter itself, so the process has to be started a.s.a.p. Now focus is too much on preventing risks and only indicates the dangers of useage, but it's too slow. Besides that, we have too many managerial people with general skills and not enough technical people that are able and willing to take the lead. It's also not easy for governments to manage political processes around things that they don't understand enough. So also more technical people should stand up and help the government in this (assumed they get room for this). The same need for people willing to take risks is involved here. Tim O'Reilly has written an article about this as well a while ago, after the debacle with the USA government websites.