Innovation policy is paying off

Source: VNO-NCW The (new) cabinet would therefore do well to continue this policy. This is evident from the 2017 R&D barometer of VNO-NCW. Almost half of all R&D expenditure by large companies is done in collaboration with specialized SMEs, innovative startups and/or knowledge institutions. And nowadays more is invested in the Netherlands and less in emerging (BRIC) countries.

Striking results

Almost half (1.4 billion euros) of the research and development investments (R&D) that the large companies (that participated in the research) make in the Netherlands are made in collaboration. Half a billion euros of that with around 500-700 specialized SMEs. No fewer than two-thirds of R&D companies have activities with innovative startups. The barometer also shows that there is collaboration with Dutch knowledge institutions, with the four technical universities, TNO and Wageningen University & Research being the most important partners.

Do not change innovation policy

The Netherlands scores better on almost all location factors that are important for R&D investments than five years ago. With tax instruments such as the WBSO and the 30% scheme for talent, the Netherlands distinguishes itself from other countries, according to the companies that participated in this study. They therefore call on the (new) cabinet to continue the innovation policy, as well as the top sector policy. 'More emphasis can be placed on social challenges.'

Student stop at TU's disastrous

The R&D companies are concerned about the lack of available talent. There is already a shortage of technical talent for some positions. 'A student stop at the TUs is disastrous', according to the multinationals. This threatens the competitiveness of the Netherlands in the long term. The R&D directors also call for additional investments in research and innovation. About the R&D barometer 15 companies were surveyed for the study. With a share of 72% of industrial R&D and more than 42% of total corporate R&D, this provides a representative picture of trends among large R&D companies. They spend 23 billion euros on R&D, of which 3.2 billion euros in the Netherlands. They employ almost 60,000 researchers worldwide, of which 16,000 in the Netherlands. On average, companies have approximately 40% of their R&D in the Netherlands and the decisions about this are primarily made in the Netherlands. Download the R&D barometer 2017.