Knowledge and innovation
Flemish-Brabant is the residence region of top-notch researchers and research groups within life science, cleantech, transport and logistics related sciences, nanotech and other areas. The region hosts two internationally renowned universities, K.U.Leuven and Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), and the eminent research centre imec, Europe’s largest independent research centre in nano-electronics and nano-technology. With this wealth of knowledge, Flemish-Brabant has developed over the years into one of the most pioneering and cutting-edge knowledge regions in Europe.
Also important to mention is COHESI - the Flemish innovation platform for component development and complex heterogeneous system integration.
The goal of COHESI is to support the development of innovative microsystems in Flanders, with a focus on the translation of mature research results into prototypes and products. In order to achieve these goals, the participating knowledge centres offer together a broad and complete spectrum of expertise, services en infrastructure.
The scheme below gives an overview of the different routes from concept to product and the services and expertise offered by COHESI at every node.
The platform is supported by research groups at UGent, the K.U. Leuven, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel and by imec.
You can find more information on the COHESI-website
The pioneering work that is being performed has led to the foundation of a large number of successful spin-offs in the region:
M4E (development of mixture systems), Econcore (development of lightweight composites), Triphase (power electronics), Ansem (nano-electronics and ICT with link to e.g. smart grids), Vubonite (fire-resistant lightweight glass fibre composite), Thrombogenics (red biotech), Tigenix (red biotech), Beta-Cell (red biotech), Easics (system-on-chip design), IC-sense (analog and mixed-signal IC design), Essensium (Wireless Sensor Networks), Septentrio (satellite navigation), and many others.
The presence of leading knowledge centres with state-of-the-art research facilities and the many innovative spin-offs and SMEs within Flemish-Brabant are a catalyst for joint ventures with international businesses.
Naturally, the province’s role as a knowledge region has a strong international dimension. One important element of this is the strategic and structural triple helix cooperation between Leuven, Eindhoven and Aachen. Within the so-called ELAt triangle (Eindhoven-Leuven-Aachen), the three regions concerned are generating synergies in research and innovation.