Collective Projects: help with the development and implementation of your innovation

In December 2020, the multi-year program LimburgToekomstbestendig started, in which, under the leadership of development company LIOF, the top sectors in Limburg are supported in innovative and sustainable missions. As part of this program, entrepreneurs can now sign up for the Collective Projects, a combination of master classes and concrete support in the implementation of their ideas. Three themes are central: healthy and safe food, smart innovation and Big Data.

Smart, sustainable and healthy

Within a CollectiefProject SMEs in Limburg are encouraged and supported in the development of innovative products, services, processes and / or business models. The following CollectiefProjects are now open for registration:

• Smart innovation: topics such as automation and digitization, robotization and sensor techniques, analytical techniques or biomonitoring are addressed. This expedition is particularly intended for SMEs in the agro-food sector, logistics and manufacturing industry. You have an idea or an existing initiative around smart innovations and want to bring this to a successful conclusion. This project is conducted in collaboration with HAS University of Applied Sciences and Fontys.
• Big Data: topics such as understanding the possibilities of big data, governance of data (what can I do with it), internal and external data and the connection between data and customers are discussed. This expedition is intended for all those involved in the agrifood chain: from entrepreneurs of a primary company, logistics companies, trading companies to retail. You are playing with an idea or already existing initiative around Big Data and want to bring it successfully to the next level. This project is conducted in collaboration with HAS University of Applied Sciences.
• Healthy and safe food: topics such as protein transition, target group nutrition, smart packaging concepts and healthy living environment will be discussed, but also specific topics such as apps for personalized nutrition patterns or technological issues. This expedition is particularly intended for SMEs in the agro-food sector, logistics and manufacturing industry. You have an idea or an existing initiative about healthy and/or safe food and you want to bring it to a successful conclusion. This project is conducted in collaboration with HAS University.

Programme

Each ProjectCollective starts with four substantive master classes, which are held between 16.00 and 20.00 at HAS University in Venlo (period October 2021 to January 2022). After this, final-year students will work for 20 weeks on the individual business cases of the participating entrepreneurs, based on a step-by-step plan, to make a start with the implementation. They will be guided by experts of HAS University and Fontys. The exact content of the project will be worked out together with the entrepreneurs. This implementation process takes place in the period February to June 2022.

Participate

The program Limburg Futureproof focuses on the challenges "smart, sustainable and healthy". The ideas that are included in the Collective Projects must therefore contribute to this. In addition, the idea must have economic potential.

The process normally costs €11,000, but will be financed by LIOF for €7,500 per participant. The costs for the entrepreneur are therefore limited to €3.500,-.

Per project there is room for 6 to 8 participants, so submit your application as soon as possible. The opening closes when all spots are taken. Once your application is received, it will be reviewed to determine if you will be admitted to the program. The deadlines for submitting an application for support of the Collective Project are June 16 (evaluation June 24) and September 15 (evaluation September 30).

All information about the Collective Projects can be found on the website of LIOF. Here you can also request the application form and read the regulations. For all questions you can contact Niek Theunissen of LIOF at 06 15 36 44 95 or via niek.theunissen@liof.nl.