Titaan, an impact-driven innovation hub and experience centre built by Unknown Group in collaboration with the Municipality of The Hague, was officially inaugurated in The Hague, Netherlands, on Thursday, September 7.
The hub was opened by Rinke Zonneveld (CEO Invest NL), Elisabeth Minnemann (Chairman of the Board of The Hague University of Applied Sciences), and Edward de Jager (Chairman of Unknown Group), along with 1,000 Dutch and international guests. It consists of office spaces, meeting rooms, event spaces, and maker spaces.
Edward de Jager, Chairman of Unknown Group, says, “We are incredibly proud to return to the Binckhaven. This is where Unknown Group started with the goal of supporting entrepreneurs with their solutions for a better world.”
“We achieve this by empowering impactful entrepreneurs with the right environment, education, financing, and collaborations with industry leaders. In Titaan, we have found the perfect place to do so,” he adds.
13,000 m2 innovation hub
Titaan, a former tobacco storage facility at the Caballero Factory, The Hague, has been transformed into a 13,000 m2 innovation hub through a collaborative effort between the Municipality of The Hague and Unknown Group.
This marks a significant step toward realising the ambition of making Binckhaven the largest impact campus in Europe.
The hub is expected to attract innovators, entrepreneurs, and startups, fostering a thriving ecosystem for innovation and impact in the region.
What is Titaan?
Titaan is a physical space and community hub for impact-driven entrepreneurs dedicated to making the world better through innovation. It offers over 60 office spaces to fast-growing companies with 8 to 150 employees, addressing a regional space shortage.
More than half of the facility is already leased to impact-focused businesses, with Hygro being one of the initial tenants.
Hygro, an energy company specialising in hydrogen systems, initially started with 2 employees at the Apollo 14 startup hub in Binckhaven and has now grown to 17 employees. Their transition to Titaan will facilitate further expansion.
Additionally, Titaan also provides a platform to more than 200 companies to test their innovative solutions. Hygro, for example, aims to develop a self-sustaining energy system by harnessing energy from 1,000 solar panels on Titaan’s roof for hydrogen production.
Titaan’s basement provides a versatile space for manufacturing companies. Skelex, known for creating lightweight exoskeletons for heavy labourers, has relocated to Titaan, enabling them to integrate office and assembly functions.
Another example is KiCo, which intends to establish a 1,000 m2 shared kitchen within Titaan, offering a platform for entrepreneurs working on innovative food products to develop, test, and showcase their creations.
A breeding ground for talent and impact companies
Titaan is a hub for talent development in the region. The hub is where talent and industry intersect, fostering growth and innovation in education and entrepreneurship.
The hub is also hosting the second location of Unknown Group’s Unknown University of Applied Sciences. Here, over 150 students can simultaneously launch businesses and earn bachelor’s degrees.
Amsterdam-based Equals, which is opening its second location in The Hague, is focusing on training women for technical careers to promote gender diversity in the field. The Hague University of Applied Sciences will implement an innovative education model at Titaan, emphasising practical skills and collaboration with the business community.
Unknown Group and the development of Binckhaven
Unknown Group aims to empower entrepreneurs to address global challenges and create a better future.
The firm supports founders through its Unknown University of Applied Sciences, offers a conducive environment for growth at Unknown Spaces, and actively seeks, funds, and connects startup solutions with industries through Unknown Solutions.
Their mission is to “fuel founders to fix the future” by turning world problems into opportunities through innovation and entrepreneurship.
Unknown Group, closely tied to The Hague since its inception in 2008, opened Titaan Known for its commitment to impact, Unknown Group has been a partner with the municipality in developing The Hague’s innovation ecosystem, organising events like ImpactFest.
With Titaan’s opening, Unknown Group claims to be taking a significant step towards its goal of transforming Binckhaven into Europe’s largest impact campus — a place where Dutch and international talent can work together on solutions for contemporary challenges.