With the appointment of Guus Rijnders (University of Twente) and Esther Kersten (ImpactX), the leadership of the ‘top team’ for the High Tech Systems & Materials top sector is restored to full strength. Rijnders, professor of nanoelectric materials and outgoing scientific director of research institute Mesa+, represents the sciences. Kersten, founder and CEO of sustainability-focused venture capital firm ImpactX, serves on behalf of small and medium-sized enterprises. Tjerk Opmeer had already joined on behalf of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate a few months ago.
Holland High Tech shapes the public-private collaboration between industry, knowledge institutions and governments. The partnership aims to drive innovation, economic growth, cooperation and internationalization.
“Cooperation between science and industry is the catalyst for innovation. A strong commitment and dependence in this collaboration is necessary to enable the promise of innovations and key technologies in technological and societal urgent transitions. I want to work to further shape this engagement and collaboration, and thereby increase the impact of research and innovation in the Dutch economy and society,” states Rijnders.

