Innovation as a team sport: talent and collaboration take center stage at the Common Ground for Innovation Awards

Collaboration as the Foundation of Brainport

The evening, organized by iBuilt, brought together leaders from industry, academia, and government and highlighted the strength of the Brainport ecosystem. “The real differentiator in Eindhoven isn’t just the technology,” said Ankita Durani at the opening. “It’s the collaboration—a bit of a PSV mentality—that turns ideas into scalable impact. ”

That collaboration, known as the ‘triple helix’ between businesses, knowledge institutions, and government, has formed the basis of the region’s success for years. With some 7,000 tech companies and a strong position in sectors such as energy, healthcare, and chip technology, Brainport has grown into one of Europe’s most important innovation hubs.

Innovation in a Changing World

Yet that model is under pressure due to geopolitical tensions and increasing global competition. Mayor Jeroen Dijsselbloem emphasized in his keynote that further growth depends on tough choices and investments in key areas such as AI, energy, and semiconductors. “Chip production is the battleground of global power,” he stated.

According to Dijsselbloem, Europe must strengthen its position by collaborating more strategically and investing more purposefully. Examples such as the pilot factory for photonic chips at the High Tech Campus demonstrate what coordinated public-private investments can achieve.

Winners demonstrate the breadth of innovation

The three award winners embodied this broad vision of innovation.

• In the Promising Tech Innovation category, Jeroen Hoet (Eyeo) was honored for his work at the intersection of photonics and semiconductor technology. His team is working on a new generation of imaging technology, with the ambition of restoring Europe’s leading position. “Ultimately, it’s all about the team behind it,” Hoet emphasized.
• The Visionary Leader award went to Kathleen Philips, who, according to the jury, represents the type of leadership needed in a time of uncertainty. Her career—spanning semiconductor research, the development of international R&D ecosystems, and her recent focus on space technology—illustrates the importance of connecting disciplines and networks.
• With the Social Innovator award, Simone Steeghs (Junior IoT) was recognized for her commitment to introducing children to technology at an early age. Her work underscores that inclusion is not a side issue, but an essential part of the innovation system. “Make yourself visible everywhere. Visibility… building bridges,” was her advice.

From Technological to Social Innovation

A recurring theme throughout the event was that innovation is broadening in scope. Alongside technological progress, the importance of knowledge sharing and social innovation is growing. Initiatives such as Brainport voor Elkaar demonstrate how companies are also applying their expertise to address social issues, ranging from inequality to social cohesion.

According to the jury and speakers, the future of innovation lies not in isolated breakthroughs, but in ecosystems where technology, leadership, and inclusion converge.

Conditions for further growth

To maintain this position, Brainport must continue to invest in both technology and basic infrastructure. Housing shortages, pressure on infrastructure, and network capacity pose real risks to further growth. Programs such as the Brainport Deal and Beethoven Deal must address these bottlenecks and better coordinate investments.

The Common Ground for Innovation Awards made it clear that innovation in Brainport is a collective effort. Whether it concerns photonics, leadership, or education: the common thread is that people make the difference. As Dijsselbloem summarized to those present:

“You are the people building our future.”