History of IPC and LifetecZONe

On December 13^th, 2007, LifetecZONe (Life Sciences Limburg at the time) submitted its first application for an "Innovation Performance Contract". The purpose of this initiative is to obtain financial support for participating companies under the "Innovatie Prestatie Contract"-framework, which was launched by Agentschap NL as of January 1st, 2007. This framework was designed with the objective to stimulate innovation amongst the so-called SME’s (small and medium size enterprises) with a minimal administrative burden. To achieve that, Agentschap NL created a role for existing network organisations like LifetecZONe as organiser and representative.

At the end of 2010 this 1st "Innovation Performance Contract" was finished. In total 25 companies executed their innovation plans and received a contribution of over € 1 million.

Building on the experience of the first Innovation Performance Contract “IPC” 18 other members showed interest in participation in an IPC. Based on this interest, an inventory of project proposals was made. This resulted in the submission of an IPC-application on January 11^th 2010, labeled “sensor development and sensor use in new applications”. After thorough examination of the plans by Agentschap NL, the participants were awarded with a subsidy of roughly € 50.000 each.

 The 18 members participating in this IPC are very different as far as their technologies and markets are concerned: bio-molecular specialists like Pamgene and FABPulous are accompanied by industrial process specialists like Budé Innovative Solutions, SAC Nederland and World Wide Automation. Whereas some have a long history, like Thissen & Stecher and Keytec Netherlands, there are also three start-ups who have joined the group: Nemo Healthcare (fetal monitoring technology), Vascular (vascular devices) and UTC Imaging (3D-imaging using ultrasound, in cooperation with Plato System Development).

Given the geographical focus of LifetecZONe, it is not surprising to find that all participants but one originate in the South-East of the Netherlands. The exception is Sense IT, a young company in Delft. Sense IT is specialized in optical smart sensor technology.

 As mentioned above, sensor development is an important aspect of the innovation efforts of the participants. For some, this might result in new markets opening up (2M Engineering, Sense IT), whereas for other participants it will reinforce the competitive advantage of existing products (Kleeven, Dolphys, The Mind Connection, LEF Systems).

 As far as cooperation between the participants is concerned, the approach for this second IPC differs from the earlier one: only a limited number of cooperation projects is defined at the start, as it is envisaged that in the course of the coming year additional opportunities for cooperation between the companies will emerge. For example, we are sure that Heliox, a specialist in the enabling technology of switch mode power technology (low weight, small dimensions, high performance amplification) can make an important contribution to the success of “downstream” innovations.

At this point, it might be interesting to know that on april 29^th 2011, a third application for an IPC will be submitted by LifetecZONe. For further details read: LifetecZONe assists with IPC application 2011

For more information contact Nick Sassen via nsassen@lifeteczone.com

For the press release on the 1st IPC: LifetecZONe: success with Innovation Performance Contract