Dirk van Ledden has more than twenty-five years of experience in various companies. As an Innovation Broker, he supports entrepreneurs with his knowledge and expertise in finding solutions and utilizing innovative opportunities. His focus is mainly on the intersection of technology and the food industry, where he makes connections and helps with the application of techniques and technologies. We spoke with Dirk about his experiences and his work as an Innovation Broker.
Why are you an Innovation Broker?
Dirk explains that his creativity and problem-solving ability have laid the foundation for his Innovation Broker role. He enjoys helping entrepreneurs and likes to act as a good conversation partner. With his extensive experience and knowledge in various sectors, such as finance, organization, technology and the food industry, Dirk can offer valuable insights to entrepreneurs. He sees it as a challenge to find concrete solutions to the challenges entrepreneurs face, and his broad network in the sector helps him to do so.
Dirk van Ledden:
As an Innovation Broker, my role is to make entrepreneurs aware of the possibilities that technology offers and to guide them in implementing it. I strongly believe in the power of innovation and the positive impact it can have on companies and society.
In which sector are you active?
Dirk is mainly active in the food industry, where he sees a major social challenge. The fact is that this industry lags behind in terms of adopting technology, while the need for automation and efficiency is great. He likes to help entrepreneurs in this sector to find and apply the available techniques and technologies, even if they don't always have the time or priority for it themselves. Dirk explains that the time pressure in the food industry is high, because products have to appear on the market quickly. The challenge then is to make entrepreneurs aware of the possibilities and benefits of high-tech applications within their company, and to guide them in calculating the return on investment.
What can entrepreneurs turn to you for?
''As an Innovation Broker in the food industry, I help entrepreneurs tackle technological issues and realize automation. A question that always makes me happy is: 'How can I automate?' Often we invite different technology providers, because automation is a complex process that requires not only a robot, but also software and integration. The solution is often a combination of different areas of expertise. In most cases we join the forces of four to five parties to realize a complex custom-made product, with a specific budget.'' The application of the technologies in the food industry is an important aspect of Dirk's work. "Entrepreneurs often recognize the need, but don't always know how to approach technology solutions."Dirk helpt hen daarom bij het identificeren van geschikte technologische oplossingen en het vinden van de juiste partners en verbindingen. Hij illustreert dit met het voorbeeld van robotisering in een bakkerij, waarbij ondernemers vaak de potentie van robots onderschatten en zich niet bewust zijn van de mogelijke efficiëntieverbeteringen en kostenbesparingen. Dirk's rol als InnovatieMakelaar is om hen te informeren, begeleiden en ondersteunen bij het implementeren van dergelijke technologieën.
Who or what kind of SME would you like to help as an Innovation Broker?
''I think the meat processing industry is one of the most beautiful industries to operate in, because there are both technical and human challenges there. It's a big industry that employs a lot of people, and I believe improvements in this industry can help other industries as well. I am also very interested in 3D printing. Although this technique is already being used in other industries, I would like to investigate how we can apply it in the food processing industry."
Have you ever helped yourself?
''Yes a lot. As an entrepreneur of twenty-five years old, I have always been open to outside help, such as coaching programs and subsidies. I even started a startup in the food sector to help starters. I have also been helped by various parties in this.”
Do you have an example of a successful collaboration?
''Yes, I have worked with Van Wees Waalwijk Service B.V. and bakery Mariën master bakers in Belgium. We have developed an application where everything can be done with the same robot. It was a long process of three to five years, during which we made a decision and developed a prototype. This prototype is now being further developed at the same bakery to add multiple tasks to Tweety's work package, as the robot is called by his colleague. We are also now looking at whether we can apply the knowledge gained in the bakery for other parties in various branches. It is important to be able to copy innovations to others and to take them further."
Innovation brokers as bridge builders
Innovation brokers such as Dirk van Ledden play an essential role in supporting and promoting innovation in various sectors. They act as bridge builders between entrepreneurs, technologies and possibilities. Dirk's commitment and expertise in the food industry contribute to the growth and progress of this sector. With his passion for technology and his ability to make connections, he contributes to the transformation of companies and the development of innovative solutions.
