The letter:

To the political parties of the Netherlands,

The Netherlands is facing major social challenges: climate, health, safety, food security and scarcity of raw materials. At the same time, our economic competitive position is deteriorating and our earning capacity is coming under pressure. The necessary transformations are driven by innovative applications. Not tomorrow, but today.

Since 2019, the Netherlands has been working on mission-driven innovation policy, focused on five national missions. This is not just about ambition, but about concrete results: a climate-neutral energy system, sustainable production and water management, extra healthy years of life for everyone, a safe digital society and a fully circular economy. Essential to this is the focus on key technologies and digital innovations - from AI to photonics, from quantum to cybersecurity - and a methodological approach to realize innovative applications faster and on a larger scale.

As directors of the Top Consortia for Knowledge and Innovation (TKIs), we are responsible for orchestrating public-private partnerships around these missions. And with results. The rapid decline in the costs of offshore wind, the breakthroughs in cancer research via the Oncode Institute, and the acceleration of zero-emission construction are no coincidence – they are the result of targeted policy, consistent investments and collaboration between industry, knowledge institutions and government. But that collaboration is under pressure. International geopolitical tensions, increasing competition from Asia and the US, climate pressure and the internal lack of consistent industrial policy mean that the Netherlands is at a crossroads: do we choose acceleration or lagging behind?

The elections in October offer the opportunity to realign that compass. We call on you to make clear choices in the upcoming coalition agreement in favor of supporting transformative innovation policy. Not as an abstract concept, but as a concrete precondition for economic growth, social progress and strategic autonomy.

We ask you for:

A stable, directional industrial policy. Stop ad-hoc measures and focus on a long-term, mission-driven strategy. Policy must be predictable for investors, entrepreneurs and researchers. For example, repeated changes in the industrial CO₂ tax make investments in carbon reduction initiatives uncertain.

A structural increase in public and private innovation investments. The Netherlands is lagging behind the EU target of 3% GDP for innovation. Without additional resources for key technologies, scaling up and demonstration projects, we will lose ground – economically and geopolitically. Investment instruments, including a national investment bank, are crucial in this respect. Within the Top Consortia for Knowledge and Innovation (TKIs), we have shown that public resources, such as through the PPP subsidy scheme of EZK, form a powerful lever: every euro in subsidy generates an average of two to four euros in private investment. This not only increases the effectiveness of public policy, but also accelerates the route to achieving the 3% target.

Targeted support for startups and scale-ups, for scaling up and acceleration. The ecosystem of collaborating companies – startups, scaleups and long-established proven companies – ensures innovative applications. Both through technological leaps and through new combinations of existing technologies. These companies often fall between the cracks in the financing landscape. More space is needed for risk-bearing capital, customization and public-private co-financing. The Acceleration Social Earning Capacity steering group has formulated a number of valuable recommendations in this regard.

The Netherlands has everything it needs to handle the transitions of this century – if we dare to invest, dare to choose and dare to collaborate.

We will send you an invitation shortly to discuss this together, both towards the elections and during the formation.

Yours sincerely,

Ir. A.W.M (Bart). Ahsmann, director TKI CLICKNL

Dr. Peter H. Berben, director TKI Green Chemistry and Circularity

Drs. B.A.J. (Bas) van Bree, Operational Director TKI Dinalog

Dr. Ankie Bruens, director TKI Delta Technology

Dr. ir. M.L.H. (Annemarie) Breukers, acting director TKI Agri & Food

Dr. ir. Jörg Gigler, chairman of the board TKI Energy | Top Sector Energy

Dr. Frits Grotenhuis, director-manager TKI ICT | Top sector ICT

ir. Anne Mathilde Hummelen, director, TKI Water Technology

Prof. Dr. Nico van Meeteren, General Director TKI Office of the Top Sector Life Sciences & Health (Health~Holland)

ir. W.J. (William) van Niekerk, director TKI Construction and Technology

Drs. M.P. Roelse, director TKI Horticulture & Starting Materials

Dr. ir. Leo Warmerdam, director TKI High Tech Systems and Materials | Holland High Tech

Download the letter (Dutch)