The strength of Utrecht Science Park is largely due to its unique concentration of knowledge, which has created a powerful ecosystem that facilitates optimal collaboration. We believe that major societal challenges can only be solved through collaboration and by joining forces.
Local and regional partnerships
Utrecht Science Park is a unique hub of knowledge in the world, thanks to the combination and collaboration between educational and healthcare institutions, research institutes and R&D companies. The power of collaboration at the local and regional level is underlined by the fact that the European Commission has designated the Utrecht region as the most competitive region in Europe in 2023. Utrecht Science Park is at the heart of this and contributes to the mission of the Utrecht region, Heart of Health.
Most competitive region of Europe
The Regional Competitiveness Index shows that the Utrecht region has been among the most competitive regions in Europe for years. The index looks at innovation, accessibility, digital infrastructure, education, health and the labour market. Utrecht’s top position has a lot to do with the close cooperation between governments, businesses and knowledge and educational institutions. In 2023, the European Commission designated the Utrecht region as the most competitive region in Europe, the region with the greatest competitive strength. The Regional Competitive Index (RCI) is published every three years. Researchers compared 234 European regions on nearly 70 indicators for the business climate, such as macroeconomic stability, infrastructure facilities, education quality and labour market. Utrecht scores highest in terms of education level and innovation.
Utrecht, Heart of Health
Utrecht, Heart of Health is the region where we work together towards a healthier, more sustainable future. Here, we develop solutions and innovations that enable us to live healthier lives physically, mentally and socially, in an environment that contributes to this. Utrecht Science Park is the beating heart of this region, with its countless knowledge institutions, research institutes and companies in the field of health and sustainability.
“A strong economy, good cooperation between governments and business and an attractive climate for innovative entrepreneurs: it is all important for the future of the Netherlands as well as that of Europe. The Utrecht region has shown how successful their approach is. A great result for Utrecht and thus for the whole of the Netherlands.”
~ Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte (original quote in Dutch)
“As the province of Utrecht, we are of course enormously proud of this. The Utrecht region is a very attractive area; students like to live and work here for a reason. This pleasant living climate is partly thanks to the good cooperation between the authorities and partners in the region. Deputy Robert Strijk of Utrecht province, for instance, was in Brussels together with Lidewij de Haas of Arcadis to represent the region at the announcement.”
~ King’s Commissioner Hans Oosters (original quote in Dutch)
“Our region is packed with innovation, talent and economic strength. So it is not for nothing that out of more than 200 economic regions in Europe, Utrecht has been named the number one competitive region. Through intensive cooperation between business, knowledge institutions and governments within the Economic Board Utrecht, we are committed to remaining number one in the years to come.”
~ Chairwoman Economic Board Utrecht Sharon Dijksma (original quote in Dutch)
Local and regional cooperation partners
Utrecht Science Park works closely with the Municipality of Utrecht and the Province of Utrecht, the Economic Board Utrecht (EBU), the ROM Utrecht Region (ROM), Utrecht International Center and Utrecht Marketing. In addition, there are regular consultations with surrounding municipalities such as Zeist, Bunnik and Bilthoven. For Utrecht Science Park, access to talent, employment, sufficient space to live and work, good accessibility by public transport and bicycle, and a pleasant and healthy working, living and living environment are important issues for the coming years.
National and international collaborations
The scope and influence of Utrecht Science Park are not limited to the Utrecht region. The rest of the Netherlands, Europe and even the world are also part of its playing field. Many parties at Utrecht Science Park are active within a wide range of national private and/or public networks and partnerships.
National Campus Consultation
Utrecht Science Park consults and collaborates with other leading campuses in the Netherlands. Thriving campuses and science parks are indispensable for a successful innovation policy. They act as facilitators and accelerators of regional and (inter)national partnerships between knowledge institutions and innovative companies.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy systematically investigates which campuses make a significant contribution to the development of the Dutch economy. These investigations, carried out by Buck Consultants International, have identified 10 mature campuses. These 10 campuses are united in the National Campus Consultation. These campuses meet regularly in the presence of representatives of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy to share best practices and coordinate matters.
At the national level, the interests of the science parks are thus jointly represented, and we demonstrate the added value to representatives of the national government, such as the various ministries. For example, where are the opportunities and possibilities for government funding or subsidies with regard to climate, sustainability, healthcare or entrepreneurship? And what are the best locations for new or existing companies and institutions in the public and/or private sector?
A recently published research report has once again shown that campuses and science parks in the Netherlands are essential for growth in employment and new business activity. The report shows that Utrecht Science Park has also grown strongly in terms of employees and, with more than 31,000 employees, remains by far the largest science park in the Netherlands. Read more about this in this article or view the research report here.
A global network of science parks: IASP
The Utrecht Science Park Foundation is an active member of the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP). This global network of science parks has been in existence for over 30 years and has nearly 400 members from 78 countries. The IASP offers Utrecht Science Park the opportunity to brainstorm, exchange knowledge and gain insight into science parks around the world. Within the IASP, Utrecht Science Park learns, among other things, where the opportunities and possibilities lie for international financing and subsidies and what the best locations are for international companies and institutions. It should certainly be mentioned that Utrecht Science Park is regarded by its international colleagues as the prime example of a successful science park.