Oost NL Unveils 2026 Guide to Eastern Netherlands’ Innovation Ecosystems
Apeldoorn, Wednesday 4 February 2026
Highlighting five new campuses, this strategic guide maps the Eastern Netherlands’ expanding infrastructure, offering investors vital insights into the region’s sustainable food and technology sectors.
Strategic Expansion of Innovation Infrastructure
Released on 3 February 2026, the updated brochure integrates five new locations into the region’s innovation map, reinforcing the Eastern Netherlands’ capacity to support four critical future-oriented sectors: sustainable food, accessible healthcare, smart energy, and strong industry [1][2]. This comprehensive mapping serves as a navigational tool for entrepreneurs and investors, highlighting ecosystems where companies collaborate closely with universities and research institutes to accelerate international competitiveness [1]. Among the notable additions formalized in this edition are De Kien and De Gasfabriek, which have been strategically positioned as the ‘Smart Zone Deventer’ [2].
Agrifood Tech and Protein Transition
In the Agrifood domain, the guide underscores the region’s pivotal role in the global food transition. The NIZO Food Innovation Campus is specifically recognised for its developments in alternative protein upscaling, a crucial step in moving food technology from laboratory settings to industrial production [2]. This focus on sustainable food systems is supported by an established network that includes the World Food Center, The Green East, and the renowned Wageningen Campus [1]. These hubs provide the physical and intellectual infrastructure necessary for researchers and entrepreneurs to co-create solutions for future food systems [1].
Accelerating Life Sciences and Market Entry
For the Life Sciences and Health (LSH) and MedTech sectors, the guide directs investors to specialized hubs such as Campus Nijmegen (including Noviotech Campus and Radboud University) and Kennispark Twente [1]. These environments are designed to facilitate accessible healthcare innovations by bridging the gap between academic concepts and market-ready solutions [1]. To support the complex lab-to-market transition inherent in these industries, Oost NL offers a framework of funding, networks, and expertise intended to accelerate the market launch of innovations [3]. While the brochure outlines the physical ecosystems, Oost NL’s broader operational role involves connecting organizations with relevant technology partners and R&D facilities to support growth from initial exploration to expansion [1][3].