With the ministerial appointment of Peter Stolk as Chair of Key Technologies, the Netherlands can further accelerate its joint approach to innovation. He will work with all parties involved in the innovation ecosystem to help the Netherlands advance in the ten priority key technologies identified in the National Technology Strategy (NTS).
With this formal appointment by the Minister of Economic Affairs, Peter Stolk's role as chair of the Key Technologies Knowledge and Innovation Agenda Theme Team (KIA ST) is confirmed and the position of the steering body of this KIA is strengthened, with an emphasis on advising, prioritising and connecting parties in the innovation ecosystem surrounding key technologies.
Peter Stolk, Chair of Key Technologies:
The coming years will be all about picking up the pace and daring to make choices. We have everything we need in the Netherlands: strong innovation, knowledge, entrepreneurship and international cooperation. Now is the time to combine those strengths, grow ecosystems and scale up initiatives – so that key technologies make a visible contribution to innovation and our earning capacity.
In addition to being chair of Key Technologies, Peter Stolk is also chair of Holland High Tech and of the National Growth Fund Programme NXTGEN High Tech.
Peter Stolk's role as chair of Key Technologies extends beyond merely steering the governance of the Key Technologies Knowledge and Innovation Agenda. His core tasks are:
Bringing together representatives from the quadruple helix (businesses, knowledge institutions, government bodies and social partners) around the ten NTS priorities, in close consultation with the KIA ST Theme Team and the organisations involved.
Advising on deployment in strategic programmes from the industry letter and the role of key technologies therein.
Participating in key technology-transcending forums, including the Semicon Board NL.
Contributing to internationalisation initiatives (including missions, trade fairs and delegation visits).
He performs these tasks in accordance with the KIA ST code of conduct. In doing so, he helps to keep cooperation within the ecosystem focused and effective: we work on the basis of trust, efficiently and with a focus on the impact of Dutch innovative strength.
Erwin Nijsse, Director-General for Business & Innovation, Department of Economic Affairs & Climate:
With this formal appointment, we can make an even more targeted impact based on solidarity: bringing parties together, helping to make tough choices in programming and, above all, taking the step from action agendas to implementation through powerful innovation coalitions. In this way, we are strengthening the Dutch ecosystem for key technologies and our international position, and thus the basis for our innovation and industrial policy.
Accelerating with key technologies: from potential to impact
Key technologies are increasingly determining our future autonomy, health, safety and ability to tackle major societal challenges. That is precisely why the Netherlands will be focusing strongly on acceleration in the coming period: more cooperation, more focus and more implementation around the NTS priorities.
An important focus of the KIA ST in the coming period will be the launch of innovation coalitions. This will create a recognisable ecosystem around the ten priority technologies and the associated action agendas that can move more quickly: from ideas and roadmaps to concrete initiatives, partnerships and application. The action agendas provide direction and starting points for this. Following the official presentation on 26 January, it is now time to work together to organise and accelerate implementation.