Lars Crama:

I am very much looking forward to further strengthening the innovation ecosystem in South Holland together with entrepreneurs, the InnovationQuarter team and our partners. In recent years, I have come to know this region better and better as a place that is brimming with talent, technology and collaboration – the building blocks of a future-proof economy. I am proud to contribute to this and to accelerate sustainable growth and innovation together.

Crama has a broad background in the world of startups, scale-ups and innovation. For example, he played a leading role in the development of Up!Rotterdam, a partnership of over 30 parties that focuses on strengthening the innovation ecosystem in the region. He contributed to the growth of more than 1600 innovative companies and was involved in strategic initiatives to better connect talent, financing and market opportunities. In addition, he played a key role in the development of investment networks and circular economy initiatives such as Arches Capital and BlueCity010. Previously, he was co-responsible for the scaling up and European expansion of two marketing technology companies.

His work focuses not only on economic growth, but also on social transitions, including the transition to a circular economy, sustainable innovation and the further strengthening of cooperation between public and private parties. His expertise in guiding companies through these transitions and his experience as a leader and supervisor in various (inter)national organizations make him ideally suited to further position InnovationQuarter as the driving force behind innovation and sustainable economic growth in South Holland. As the new director of InnovationQuarter, Crama will also play a central role in strengthening cooperation with public stakeholders in South Holland. He takes responsibility for bringing governments, knowledge institutions and companies together and working together on innovative solutions for regional and social challenges.