Amsterdam is quickly becoming a hub for scientific discovery and technological innovation. The capital city of the Netherlands is home to a growing number of scientific and tech startups, and several established companies in the field.
This led to the development of a strong community of scientific and tech professionals in the city, who are working together to drive innovation and economic growth.
All these factors are coming together to make Amsterdam a leading destination for tech startups and businesses focused on scientific discovery.
Here’re a few of Amsterdam’s scientific and emerging tech communities.
Amsterdam Science Park
Amsterdam Science Park (ASP) is a world-renowned research centre that is home to some of the most brilliant minds in the scientific community.
Established to stimulate innovation, Amsterdam Science Park has one of the largest concentrations of academic education and research facilities in Europe.
It is also an internationally recognised hub for research, education, and entrepreneurship.
Home to several universities, research institutes, and companies, the Amsterdam Science Park covers an area of 70-hectare (equivalent to 98 football pitches). Currently, it houses more than 600 network hubs, including the largest data transport hub in the world, the AMS-IX.
The Science Park offers a unique combination of facilities, expertise, and networks, making it an ideal location for companies in the fields of life sciences, health, food & nutrition, ICT, and high-tech engineering.
It is also home to the University of Amsterdam’s Faculty of Science, which provides access to world-class research facilities and expertise.
Quantum Amsterdam
Quantum Amsterdam is a major innovation hub for quantum software, technology, and applications. Its mission is to turn early ideas into concrete projects with clear deliverables and with the right partners.
The hub’s primary purpose is to stimulate economic development and innovation in quantum technology by building a solid quantum ecosystem and organising collaborative efforts between key knowledge partners, technology companies, and an industry network interested in exploring and developing new business applications.
The initial focus areas of Quantum Amsterdam are finance, quantum chemistry & materials, operations research, and security. It provides access to powerful research facilities, infrastructure, and tooling. And it acts as a hotspot for talent, creating high-potential startups, training, educating, and inspiring a growing quantum community.
Innovation Center for Artificial Intelligence (ICAI)
The Innovation Center for Artificial Intelligence (ICAI) is a national initiative focused on joint technology development between academia, industry, and government for Artificial Intelligence (A).
Founded by the University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, ICAI helps to organise and manage industry labs and strategic collaborations that run for at least five years and focus on technology and talent development.
ICAI creates innovative AI applications, distributes AI knowledge for companies and organisations through technology products and tools, trains corporate employees through dedicated courses, and simultaneously maintains a connection with other world-level science centres.
By doing this, ICAI advances AI technologies’ development and ensures that businesses and industries effectively utilise these innovations.
Knowledge Mile
Knowledge Mile is the business and innovation district in the heart of Amsterdam. Between Amstelplein and the town hall, a diverse community is working on metropolitan issues such as flooding, heavy traffic, air pollution, and social isolation.
The two most important streets in the area between Amstelplein and City Hall are Wibaut and Weesperstraat: a geographical cross-section of the city known for urban challenges such as high traffic volumes, flooding, and air pollution.
The Knowledge Mile is also a business investment area where all organisations join forces to improve the work/life climate through joint investments in communication/marketing, security, viability, and physical movement.
Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Metropolitan Solutions
AMS Institute is a collaboration between the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Wageningen University & Research, Delft University of Technology, and the City of Amsterdam.
Launched in 2013, it is a leading knowledge institute that designs solutions for urban challenges. Scientists, students, engineers, and designers collaborate to develop interdisciplinary solutions.
They do this with the City of Amsterdam and a network of partners from research institutes, industry, social institutions, and residents.
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