
Dutch-German TECH.LAND dinner: celebrating collaboration
The evening following the TECH.LAND partner meeting brought together over 90 guests from Dutch and German companies and TECH-LAND partner organizations for a special dinner at the U Parkhotel. Under the theme “Competitiveness of our TECH.LAND region – An exploration of e-Aviation and the defense industry,” the event served as both a reflection on progress and a springboard for the future.
A toast to progress and partnership
The evening was officially opened by Victor-Jan Leurs (Twente Board), Liane van der Veen (Oost NL), and Fritz Jaeckel (IHK), who reflected on the power of regional cooperation and innovation. Their remarks set the tone for an evening that balanced ambition with action.
“In ten years, this area will be the Silicon Valley of Europe,” said Victor-Jan Leurs, referring to the region as the ‘heart of technological development’. Liane van der Veen underlined the urgency of strong and competitive collaboration to bring technological innovations to life. From the German side, Fritz Jaeckel emphasized the value of working together across borders: “We need to work together to tackle the major societal challenges.”
TECH.LAND one year later
As TECH.LAND celebrates its first year, Hans Brouwers (Program Manager, TECH.LAND) shared insights into its evolution. In 12 months, the initiative has fostered tighter cross-border ties, stronger ecosystem connections, and promising projects and events. “TECH.LAND is no longer just a program, it's a platform for action, increasing the visibility as a technology hotspot," Brouwers noted. A good neighbour is worth more than a distant friend. Jacco Pekelder (Zentrum für Niederlande-Studien) provided a brief update on the new ‘TECH.LAND Monitor’, emphasizing the importance of harmonization and transparency regarding macroeconomic data in the TECH.LAND region – particularly concerning the labour market, demographics, company situations, and especially the focus areas of our clusters.
Shaping the future
Throughout the evening, two keynote speakers guided guests through the challenges and opportunities facing the TECH.LAND region:
Lukas Roffel, CTO of Thales Nederland, emphasized the growing importance of European defense collaboration. Roffel touched on the rising geopolitical instability and the need for strategic autonomy. He also noted the strength of Dutch-German cooperation in defense technology, and the need to build on that existing foundation.
The evening concluded with an inspiring glimpse into the future of electric aviation, presented by Dr. Florian Degen of Fraunhofer FFB. He introduced the TECH.LAND best practice Modulair Mobile Charger (Momo-C) Interreg project, which envisions a mobile charging solution to support the rise of e-aviation.
Table talks
The evening was a platform for meaningful dialogue and new connections. Through dynamic table discussions, guests exchanged ideas on cross-border cooperation, talent development, defense innovation, and sustainable mobility. These conversations reinforced a common goal: unlocking the full innovation potential of our region.