<p><strong>Source: Oost NL</strong></p><h1>Staying Ahead of the Curve</h1><p>Entrepreneurship means looking ahead and adapting. Digitalization and automation are transforming production processes; circularity and sustainability demand new business models; and rising pressure on labor productivity is driving the need for smarter solutions. At the same time, technological developments are unfolding at a rapid pace. To remain competitive in a European market where scale, speed, and technological advantage are decisive factors, collaboration is essential.</p><p>According to Liane van der Veen, Director of Business Development at Oost NL, the Dutch-German region offers unique opportunities. TECH.LAND demonstrates how this collaboration is taking shape. The platform connects companies, research institutions, and government agencies from the Eastern Netherlands and North Rhine-Westphalia into a single cross-border network. This provides access to a region with 5.2 million residents, 480,000 companies, and 20 universities. “Innovation requires collaboration. Through this platform, collaboration is growing substantially, and more partnerships that make an impact are emerging,” says Van der Veen.</p><h1>From Technology to Market</h1><p>The TECH.LAND Xperience event is the place where cross-border collaboration takes concrete form and where the connection between technology and the market is established. After all, developing an innovation is one thing; but the challenge often lies in translating it into products and services that demonstrably solve customer problems and can be successfully scaled up.</p><p>“During the TECH.LAND Xperience, you can get started on this. Use this opportunity to gain insight into customers and markets across the border and to find partners with whom you can innovate together,” Van der Veen advises.</p><p>The German market offers scale, industrial strength, and technological specialization. The Netherlands adds agility, systems thinking, and powerful knowledge clusters to the mix. This combination boosts entrepreneurs’ effectiveness and shortens the path from idea to application.</p><h1>Diverse Program</h1><p>The TECH.LAND Xperience program focuses on strategic themes such as energy storage and renewable energy, medical technology, advanced manufacturing and robotics, the circular economy, and defense technology. Keynotes, panels, and workshops are combined with an exhibition and targeted networking opportunities. Oost NL is actively involved in the program and is organizing two in-depth workshops:</p><ul><li data-list-item-id="e0b5b1e008bd80dd84db7a4b09583b239"><strong>From Smart Workforce to Dark Factory: The Rise of Humanoid AI</strong>, led by Rob van de Star, Tech Business Developer at Oost NL</li><li data-list-item-id="e09c3acd5a304129a3c349f4ca1861243"><strong>Smart Industry Xperience: What Others Did and You Should Do</strong>, led by Erwin Altena, Tech Project Manager at Oost NL</li></ul><p>These workshops will provide you with concrete guidance on AI applications, cross-border innovation projects, and European funding.  </p><h1>Humanoid robots in action</h1><p>What does that look like in practice? During the workshop “AI Hub Eastern Netherlands – From Smart Workforce to Dark Factory,” it will become clear what AI and robotics can already mean for small and medium-sized enterprises today.</p><p>BONFIX, a manufacturer of compression fittings, press fittings, solder fittings, and faucets, is experimenting with a humanoid robot and will showcase it during the workshop. “We recently started using a humanoid, primarily for marketing purposes,” says Maarten Gratama, operations manager at BONFIX. “We want to show that innovation isn’t just something we talk about, but something we actually do. Using a humanoid sparks curiosity and generates exposure, but internally, it mainly affects the mindset. Employees are more likely to ask, ‘Can we do this smarter with AI or automation?’ That fosters innovation from within.”</p><p>During TECH.LAND Xperience, they’ll bring the humanoid to Münster. Visitors will not only see a demonstration but also gain insight into the steps toward practical application.</p><p>Gratama itself is also looking to collaborate across borders. “Germany excels in industrial automation and robotics. By pooling knowledge, implementations can proceed faster and more efficiently. Additionally, collaboration offers economies of scale and access to specialized expertise.” It is precisely this connection between technology and collaboration that TECH.LAND Xperience is all about.</p><h1>Participation</h1><p>To make participation accessible, free bus trips to Münster are being organized from various regions. It’s a sustainable way to travel with other entrepreneurs and start networking along the way.</p><p><strong>Sign up for TECH.LAND Xperience and travel for free from your region.</strong></p><ul><li data-list-item-id="ea6dcadc06b452568e30dabd41c394a6d">TECH.LAND Xperience Gelderland Shuttle (Arnhem, Doetinchem, and Winterswijk).<br><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=DQSIkWdsW0yxEjajBLZtrQAAAAAAAAAAAAN__gW0cVJUMzM0NUxXS0ZLM0ZaWU9TVDhEVExTV0dNRi4u&amp;route=shorturl">Register by March 6.</a></li><li data-list-item-id="e34dd12b444e37597f9fbbd3859905c70"><br>TECH.LAND Xperience Enschede Shuttle: This bus trip is full.</li></ul><p>Would you rather travel on your own? Then order tickets via the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://oostnl.nl/nieuws-overzicht/tech-land-xperience-brengt-nederlandse-en-duitse-ondernemers-samen">TECH.LAND Xperience</a> website.</p><p>Source: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://oostnl.nl/nieuws-overzicht/tech-land-xperience-brengt-nederlandse-en-duitse-ondernemers-samen">TECH.LAND Xperience Brings Entrepreneurs Together | Oost NL</a></p>

TECH.LAND Xperience Brings Dutch and German Entrepreneurs Together