Rotterdam: A Hub For Innovation And Entrepreneurship.pdf

Rotterdam is an innovation hotspot with strikingly modern architecture, a young and international population, and a self-confident 'can do' attitude. The port city was built by a generation of innovators and pioneers to become one of the world's foremost trading and maritime hubs. From the first container terminal in the 60's to the largest offshore windturbine in 2019, Rotterdam forms the ideal start-up location for engineering and energy-related entrepreneurs.

The Rotterdam region has been at the forefront of industrial innovation for decades, with the first container terminal in Europe, the first fully automated terminal in the world, and the largest offshore installation vessels designed here. The regional ecosystem has the highest concentration of technical universities, research institutes, and innovation hubs in Europe.

The industry is always present and visible in the Rotterdam region, providing direct incentives to develop new ideas and turn them into solutions for today's challenges. Challenges include providing autonomous ships and terminals, lowering the cost of offshore wind, capturing heat and CO2 from the industrial complex, and delivering it to residential and agricultural users. Blockchain technologies and digitisation are being improved constantly.

Driven by the market and facilitated by government, former shipyards, industrial plants, and warehouses have been redeveloped into exiting fieldlabs and incubators for startups, scale-ups, and test facilities. Well-known examples include Yes!Delft, RDM Innovation Campus, and PortXL. Active government support is provided through accelerator programs, especially for startups and scale-ups that have emerged in Rotterdam.

Rotterdam Maritime Capital of Europe is the most complete and competitive maritime region in the world, with a network constantly working on innovations and developing talent. The area is a front runner in energy transitions, digitisation, and circular economy. The Port and City of Rotterdam have set ambitious goals for 2030, focusing on modernising the traditional industry with a specific focus on sustainability and the environment, as well as pioneering innovations.

The Netherlands is the most competitive economy in Europe, and the Rotterdam region harbours the most competitive maritime cluster in the world. This cluster brings together an enormous diversity of activity, including Maritime Business Services, Commodity Trading, Port & Logistics, Shipbuilding & Superyachts, Offshore, Energy & Industry. The unique maritime region of Rotterdam and its 75km radius is branded Rotterdam Maritime Capital of Europe.

Efficient and easy transport connections, affordable living in a modern and international environment, favourable family living conditions, strong work-live balance, accessible and affordable office space, and availability of highly skilled maritime professionals make Rotterdam an attractive location for businesses and entrepreneurs.