053 Impact City
The pop-up spot for entrepreneurship.
Discover the impact city
053 Impact City: Pop-up Spot for Entrepreneurship
For seven centuries, Enschede has been a city that not only engages in business but also leaves its mark. What began as a marketplace at the crossroads of trade routes grew into a textile metropolis that clothed the world. When disasters and crises struck, Enschede residents rose again and again. More determined, more resourceful, and with the courage to start over.
That same spirit of daring and resilience makes the city today a breeding ground for innovations that make a difference worldwide. From the basic technology behind Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to platforms like Booking.com and Thuisbezorgd: ideas born here change how the world communicates, travels, and eats.
Enschede proves that a city of makers and doers can push boundaries: literally and figuratively. This is where the future is shaped, from needle-free injections to smart scanners to combat food waste. Our 053 is the Impact City. Discover it in the pop-up spot and experience how global impact begins here.
Practical information
The pop-up store is located in the old V&D building at Korte Hengelosestraat 1, in the heart of Enschede's city center. The store will open to the public on September 25th and will be open weekdays until the end of December.
Yes, I want to attend the opening!
WORLDWIDE IMPACT STARTS HERE
What can you expect?
At 053 Impact City, you'll discover what Enschede has to offer when it comes to innovation. Be inspired by the stories of pioneers, meet partners who can help you move forward, and leave with something you can't fit in a bag: the passion for entrepreneurship.
- Experience zone. This is the interactive heart of 053 Impact City. Discover robots, drones, AI applications, and other inventions from University of Twente spin-offs and startups from the Novel-T network. Test prototypes from Twente SMEs, provide feedback in the Living Lab in collaboration with educational and research institutions, and experience Impact City for yourself.
- Podium. Here you'll hear the stories of the people who work on impact every day. Join keynotes and panels with leading Enschede companies, and discover the groundbreaking innovations that researchers from Saxion University of Applied Sciences and the University of Twente are working on. Want to get started yourself? Then keep an eye on the schedule for practical sessions and masterclasses.
- Flexible workspaces. An idea doesn't just grow into an impact. You have to work for it. Join us at 053 Impact City and work on your own impactful idea. Who knows, your co-founder might be sitting right next to you!
- Genius bar. Good ideas need fuel. Here you can get a good cup of coffee and ask all your entrepreneurial questions to experts from Novel-T and its partners. Whether you're looking for business advice or investment opportunities: this is the place to be.
Everyone is welcome, whether you've been an entrepreneur for years or are simply curious about all the ingenious inventions of smart Twente locals.
This temporary hotspot was developed by Novel-T in collaboration with the municipality of Enschede, the University of Twente, Saxion University of Applied Sciences, ROC van Twente, Twente Board, and ROZ.
Want to join? Let us know!
Want to showcase your innovation? Want to share your knowledge in a masterclass, or have another great idea to shine a spotlight on Enschede entrepreneurship? Contact us to discuss the possibilities.
Peter Dieleman
Junior Business Developer
Michiel Krake
Advisor
