YES!Delft and Deltares join forces to accelerate innovation
Expert(s) |
Ton Peters
YES!Delft and Deltares have taken a significant step towards accelerating technological innovation by signing a strategic partnership agreement. This collaboration opens up exciting new opportunities for startups and promises to drive innovation forward at an unprecedented pace.
At YES!Delft, startups receive expert guidance to develop their concepts and prepare them for market entry. They gain access to crucial resources, expertise, and networks essential for their success.
A Hub for Innovation
Deltares’ SME Team identified YES!Delftas a vital hub for startup innovation. Recognising the challenges of reaching this dynamic group and connecting them to opportunities like the Deltares SME Challenge, the team saw immense value in this partnership. “Through this collaboration, more startups will be able to access the right tools and support to advance their innovations,” said Ton Peters from the SME Team.
By participating in the Deltares SME Challenge, startups not only tap into Deltares’ wealth of expertise but also gain access to its state-of-the-art experimental research facilities. These include wave and flow simulation facilities, geotechnical resources, data infrastructure, and the newly established Delta Lab for chemical, biological, and physical research.
Enhancing startup success
“What we see here is truly remarkable! It’s one of those well-kept secrets full of incredible possibilities,” said Freek Smoes, Head of Incubation at YES!Delft. “Deltares’ experimental facilities offer unparalleled opportunities for startups in water and soil research. By integrating this access into our Accelerator and Validation Programmes, we significantly increase startups' chances of success, offering them the networks and knowledge needed to bring their innovations to market.”
Accelerating Innovation
Deltares boasts advanced research facilities, providing an ideal environment for solving technical challenges and testing innovative applications. This accelerates the development phase and increases the market readiness of emerging technologies.
“It’s fantastic that we’re joining forces,” said Ras Lalmy, Managing Director of YES!Delft. “We’re practically neighbours, just 800 metres apart, so it was about time,” he joked. “Our mission is to help tech startups make an impact. Thanks to this collaboration, startups now can test and refine their innovations within Deltares’ experimental environment.”
A First Success Story
The partnership has already produced its first success. Last week, GEHECO, a YES!Delft community member and graduate of their Accelerator Programme, pitched its innovative solution to the Deltares SME Challenge jury. GEHECO develops more compact techniques for installing closed-loop ground-source heat pump systems and was named one of the four winners of the challenge. As a result, they will test their technology at Deltares’ advanced research facilities in 2025 — a crucial step in refining their prototype.
Looking ahead
“This partnership marks an important milestone in strengthening an ecosystem focused on technological innovation and sustainability,” said Dirk-Jan Walstra, Director of Deltares. “We are committed to making a real difference with our knowledge and believe that collaborating with valuable partners will accelerate our impact. We look forward to working closely with YES!Delft on pioneering solutions with real-world impact.”
In the near future, Deltares’ leadership will visit YES!Delft to explore further opportunities for collaboration.
