Enschede Slush'D: cross-border startup event
On 28 August, Enschede once again became the epicenter of deep tech, startups, and international collaboration during Enschede Slush’D, organized by Novel-T and REACH Euregio start-up center. It demonstrated the power of the connection between the Dutch and German ecosystems when entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers come together to drive innovation forward.
How it started...
The day kicked off with the TECH.LAND Xpress, our Dutch-German startup shuttle. Departing from Münster, the bus offered a warm-up for Enschede Slush'D. Even before arriving, startups were pitching, networking, and exchanging ideas with investors and ecosystem partners. Proof that innovation doesn’t stop at the border; it begins there. Symbolizing our cross-border spirit: innovation doesn’t stop at the border. Once in Enschede, more than 650 curated guests participated in a dynamic program of inspiring sessions, matchmaking, networking, roundtables, and pitch contests.
Cross-Border Dialogues on Stage
A high-level panel conversation explored who drives the future of innovation: governments, startups, or simply those who move fastest. With voices from both sides of the border, including Erwin Hoogland (Province of Overijssel), Roy Spit (Novel-T), Ellen Jacobs (RVO), and Johannes Velling (Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Industrie, Klimaschutz und Energie des Landes NRW), the session highlighted the shared ambition to grow an internationally competitive tech ecosystem.
Other cross-border themed sessions:
When to go abroad?
Scaling internationally is a big step for any startup. But when is the right time? This session sparked a lively exchange of perspectives from Lieke Conijn (Embassy of the Netherlands in the UK), Lea Milovich (FlowBeams), and Mieke Jansen (International Expansion Expert), offering valuable takeaways for founders navigating the path to global growth.
From science to innovation
Hosted by Leonie Friedrich (REACH EUREGIO Start-Up Center), this panel featured pioneers such as Christoff Heunis (Flux Robotics), Thorsten Wiesel (REACH), and Samuel Young (Truion). Together, they shared how scientific breakthroughs can successfully transition from the lab to market-ready innovations.
A cross-border ecosystem in motion
Enschede Slush’D 2025 once again underlined that the future of innovation is international, and in our region, that future is being built across borders.
Impression in photos
