TECH.LAND Xperience brings together over 1,000 innovators in Münster
Building a cross-border innovation ecosystem together. On 12 March, more than 1,000 innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, policymakers and students from the Netherlands, Germany and beyond gathered in Münster for the first TECH.LAND Xperience. What started as an initiative to make the cross-border technology ecosystem more visible quickly turned into a day with the atmosphere of a festival: energetic, inspiring and full of new connections.
A strong cross-border movement
The message of the day was clear: the regions of Münsterland and Emscher-Lippe and the Dutch provinces of Gelderland and Overijssel have everything it takes to grow into one of Europe’s most powerful innovation regions.
“TECH.LAND brings together the strengths of the Dutch-German region to accelerate innovation and strengthen the economic future of our technology ecosystem,” said Ank Bijleveld, chair of the Twente Board.
Lars Baumgürtel, President of IHK Nord Westfalen, emphasised the importance of combining strengths. When companies, knowledge institutions, and governments reinforce one another, the innovation potential grows for everyone.
Cross‑border collaboration opens new doors
Throughout the keynotes, panels and interactive sessions, one message consistently stood out: cross‑border collaboration creates major opportunities to innovate faster, connect talent and access new markets. Europe builds on its strengths, and on its ability to look ahead together. The future belongs to the organizations that invest now and actively forge new connections.
Speakers, including Mona Neubaur, Minister of Economic Affairs of North Rhine‑Westphalia, highlighted the value of combining competencies and increasing the region’s international visibility. TECH.LAND enables exactly that by turning national borders into connections between companies, knowledge institutions, talent and investors.
“TECH.LAND shows where the region excels and where we can be a relevant partner for other European regions,” says Liane van der Veen, Director of Business Development at Oost NL. “By getting to know each other better, we create the meaningful encounters that accelerate collaboration.”
Strong regional representation
Across four themed stages, covering topics from AI and high tech to medtech, hydrogen, circular solutions and talent development, the full breadth of the ecosystem came to life. On the exhibition floor, companies and knowledge partners showcased their innovations and new collaborations took shape.
A large delegation from Twente travelled to Münster on the TECH.LAND Xpress. Nearly 70 SMEs, startups, researchers and ecosystem partners joined the journey to put cross-border collaboration into practice.
Partners such as the TechMed Centre at the University of Twente, J58, M3Nephron, Demcon, Thales, Saxion University of Applied Sciences and Medisch Spectrum Twente made their impact felt by presenting high-tech innovations, demonstrating concrete applications and sharing expertise with international partners.
Innovation is about people
“Today, the TECH.LAND Xperience showed what is possible when we combine our strengths across borders and sectors,” said Hans Brouwers, program manager of TECH.LAND. “By continuing to build together, TECH.LAND is growing into one of Europe’s most connected technology ecosystems.”
The day concluded with a networking evening that once again highlighted an important insight: innovation is not only about technology, it’s about people who meet, build trust and dare to shape the future together.
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