Like any regional development company, ROM InWest also has clear development goals, including stimulating prosperity that is distributed as fairly as possible across society (also known as 'broad prosperity'). "Digitalization is fundamental to broad prosperity, because it allows us to improve labor productivity and efficiency and keep up with the economy of today," says Jorn. "ROM InWest's choice to drive the digital transition is therefore inspired by our desire to make a social impact - preferably as broadly as possible."
Digitizing companies
Jorn explains that ROM InWest roughly divides companies into two categories when it comes to digitalization. “The first category consists of digitalizing companies: companies that have built and offer digital solutions to other companies and consumers, so that they can improve their business operations or lives. Think of smart systems that can contribute to a faster energy transition and maintaining affordable and accessible healthcare.”
UbiOps
Gijs gives the example of UbiOps, a startup that ROM InWest invested in at the beginning of 2023. “They have developed a platform for software applications that run on AI. SMEs that use AI software but do not have a budget for their own cloud specialists can still continue to develop and use that software thanks to this platform. UbiOps customers are active in the medical sector, agriculture and sustainability, among others. For example, their innovations contribute to better treatments for cancer patients or energy savings in public heating networks. The support of UbiOps by ROM InWest therefore indirectly contributes to a more sustainable economy and keeping healthcare affordable and accessible.”
Companies to be digitized
Jorn: “The other category consists of companies that need to be digitized; companies that are still relatively behind in terms of technology and that we help to become digital up to speed to remain competitive. ROM InWest is one of five regional support points for the 'European Digital Innovation Hubs' (EDIHs). This network, set up by the European Union, helps companies discover digital technologies, acquire digital skills and obtain funding to implement these technologies. In Noord-Holland we work closely with the University of Amsterdam, the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, smart industry field lab 3Dmakerszone and Ontwikkelingsbedrijf Noord-Holland Noord.”
Relatively digital region
How is North Holland doing in terms of digitalisation? Gijs: “Research shows that the Netherlands is highly digitalised. The Amsterdam region is internationally regarded as a European tech hub where many impactful software companies are emerging. But there are also companies in Alkmaar and Purmerend that are doing well in this area. Make no mistake: major international players such as Amazon, Microsoft and Google have branches in the metropolitan region and server capacity in the North Holland polder. Or think of the UvA and VU, two top institutes in a wide range of areas including computer science and quantum technology. Thanks in part to the crossover between academia and industry, we are a region with plenty of knowledge and opportunities in the field of digital technologies.”
Accelerating urgent transitions
According to Gijs, digitalisation and the innovations that result from it serve all kinds of sectors. “Robotics, eHealth and AI form the basis of many innovative solutions for the rising healthcare costs and the growing shortage of staff in healthcare. In mobility and logistics, smart systems help to keep the region accessible and liveable. The energy sector can hardly do without distributed energy systems, energy balancing and the interweaving of networks for electricity and data. And in the circular economy, so-called digital twins to achieve better management of circular raw materials. Digital innovations therefore accelerate urgent transitions throughout society.”
Support for digitalization
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