Building on the experience of the first Innovation Performance Contract “IPC” (in which 26 members participate), 18 members showed interest in participation in an IPC. Based on this interest, an inventory of project proposals was made. This resulted in the submission of an IPC-application on January 11th, labeled “sensor development and sensor use in new applications”. After thorough examination of the plans by Agentschap NL (the former SenterNovem), the participants were awarded with a subsidy of roughly € 50.000 each.
The 18 members participating in this IPC are very different as far as their technologies and markets are concerned: bio-molecular specialists like Pamgene and FABPulous are accompanied by industrial process specialists like Budé Innovative Solutions, SAC Nederland and World Wide Automation. Whereas some have a long history, like Thissen & Stecher and Keytec Netherlands, there are also three start-ups who have joined the group: Nemo Healthcare (fetal monitoring technology), Vascular (vascular devices) and UTC Imaging (3D-imaging using ultrasound, in cooperation with Plato System Development).
Given the geographical focus of LifetecZONe, it is not surprising to find that all participants but one originate in the South-East of the Netherlands. The exception is Sense IT, a young company in Delft. Sense IT is specialized in optical smart sensor technology.
As mentioned above, sensor development is an important aspect of the innovation efforts of the participants. For some, this might result in new markets opening up (2M Engineering, Sense IT), whereas for other participants it will reinforce the competitive advantage of existing products (Kleeven, Dolphys, The Mind Connection, LEF Systems).
As far as cooperation between the participants is concerned, the approach for this second IPC differs from the earlier one: only a limited number of cooperation projects is defined at the start, as it is envisaged that in the course of the coming year additional opportunities for cooperation between the companies will emerge. For example, we are sure that Heliox, a specialist in the enabling technology of switch mode power technology (low weight, small dimensions, high performance amplification) can make an important contribution to the success of “downstream” innovations.
At this point, it might be interesting to know that in the beginning of 2011, a third application for an IPC will be submitted by LifetecZONe. In the case that anyone is interested in participation in this application, you may express your interest to Nick Sassen, the project manager for IPC.
For more information contact Nick Sassen via nsassen@lifeteczone.com
