VentureLab International is the continuation of VentureLab Twente, a high-tech high-growth entrepreneurship infrastructure at NIKOS. VLI offers tailor-made support to start-ups and established companies. The support includes trainings, coaching, office space, top classes, summer schools and thorough support to attract investors. Van Tilburg: ‘we won the award in the category “investment in managerial skills”, leaving behind competition from institutes like Erasmus, ROC and Saxion.’
Impressive employment numbers
One of the main reasons for winning the award were the concrete results of the program since its start in 2009. ‘The jury judged the impact-level of the programs based on numbers. They were very impressed by the fact that we have trained 230 entrepreneurs that resulted in an employment increase of 2000 FTE,’ Van Tilburg explains. ‘This means an average of 9 employees per company.’
Long entrepreneurial history
VLI was also highly appreciated because it has evolved from a 30-year old entrepreneurial tradition at the University of Twente and collaborates closely with other parties in the region. Van Tilburg: ‘We have and had other programs such as the TOP program, the BTC-building, and the high-tech factory. In all the things we have in the region, the UT, Kennispark, Oost NV and Saxion regularly combine forces. Rinke Zonneveld was tempted to say that we deserved a life-time achievement award because Twente’s long standing history in helping entrepreneurs.’
VLI ready to franchise European-wide
In November, all European winners will pitch their programs in Lithuania, hoping to receive the European title. Van Tilburg is confident: ‘Our program is well transferable to other locations. In the Netherlands, we are already in the process of franchising VLI to the University of Groningen, the municipality of Apeldoorn and the province of North-Holland. Abroad, we are working with Russia. It would be my pleasure to add more European universities or governments to the list. We are ready to train them!’
VLI is founded by Aard Groen, professor of Innovative Entrepreneurship at NIKOS in the department Business Administration.
