The role of LIOF

LIOF, the regional development agency for Limburg, supports entrepreneurs with advice, networking and financing. Within the Limburg Regional Team, LIOF links innovative start-ups, scale-ups and SMEs to the needs of the Ministry of Defence. We scout promising technologies, identify opportunities for collaboration and help companies strengthen their proposition. We also guide entrepreneurs towards suitable partners and financing opportunities.

The point of contact for cooperation with the Ministry of Defence

The physical office of MINDbase is located at the Brightlands Chemelot Campus. Entrepreneurs can come here with ideas or technologies that may be relevant to the Ministry of Defence. We provide support in exploring opportunities, matchmaking and forming consortia for development and upscaling. We also help find financing, such as grants, venture capital through the SecFund or European programmes. In this way, we bring innovations from idea to application more quickly.

Who is it for?

The desk is there for innovative companies and knowledge institutions, from start-ups to industry, that want to contribute to technological solutions for Defence in the five areas that are crucial to the future military and economic strength of the Netherlands. These are: smart materials, sensors, quantum technology, space technology and intelligent systems. Examples include drone and sensor applications, anti-jamming solutions and other dual-use innovations.

We connect entrepreneurs with the right contacts within the Ministry of Defence and support them in follow-up steps such as testing, further development, matching, scaling up and financing.

National network

The Limburg Regional Team is part of the national ODIN network, which connects regional innovation activity teams and coordinates alignment with defence needs. Limburg plays an additional role in this as national coordinator for the theme of smart materials.