The Dutch aviation sector faces major challenges: sustainability, digitisation and strengthening international cooperation. As in other sectors, this requires collaboration. But how do you gain insight into which companies possess which competencies and with whom you can best innovate? To answer this question, our industry partner Netherlands Aerospace Group (NAG), which is also involved in our innovation domain Sustainable Mobility, the NAG Ecosystem Mapping Tool. The interactive tool was set up by the National Growth Fund Programme Aviation in Transition (LiT) and shows which companies and organisations are active in aviation and related sectors. This enables both large and small players to find the right partners more quickly and respond to new opportunities.
Cross-sector collaboration
Major transition challenges, such as those facing the aviation sector, require collaboration: within the sector itself, but certainly also beyond. Technologies and techniques used in aviation are also potentially available in other sectors. Examples include hydrogen and hybrid-electric propulsion, which are also being actively pursued by the maritime and automotive industries, and the use of new materials and composites, which play an important role in sustainability.
Image: via NAG
Users of the Ecosystem Mapping Tool can therefore filter by network, location, sector or key technology, so that it becomes clear not only who is in the ecosystem, but also how they are connected and where their focus lies. This makes it easier to discover where there are commonalities. Mark Ommert, Project Manager and Ecosystem Developer:
With this tool, we map available competencies and propositions from different sectors, linked through the key technologies in the National Technology Strategy. By bringing these together, we prevent duplication, strengthen innovative power and accelerate the transition to sustainable mobility.
Early results
Initial reactions from the ecosystem have been positive. For example, major aircraft manufacturers say that they can easily find companies that meet a specific need, rather than having to put out a call for proposals. Smaller companies and start-ups are also easier to find. Abroad, the tool is extremely valuable in representing the Netherlands effectively to international parties.
The tool as it stands now provides a broad overview of the Dutch aviation ecosystem. This includes the involvement of RAI Automotive Industry NL, also our industry partner and involved in Sustainable Mobility, the automotive ecosystem is now being made more visible. The Battery Competence Cluster (innovation programme for battery technology and implementer of the National Growth Fund programme Material Independence & Circular Batteries) has also committed to providing a database. In the longer term, there is a desire to expand further, including with international and other cross-sectoral parties. Furthermore, the NAG is preparing a cross-sectoral networking event to promote concrete collaborations.
Want to see for yourself how the tool works and which companies are included?
To the Ecosystem Mapping Tool
Would you like to contribute to the tool or do you have any feedback? Please feel free to contact the NAG and send an email to mark.ommert@nag.aero.
