Royal Technology Mission to the Netherlands

"Openness to the outside world, exchange of contacts and constant learning new things are crucial for Sweden's development. Through IVA's technology missions, we provide an opportunity for leading players in academia, business and the public sector to develop, make new contacts and contribute to increasing Sweden's competitiveness," says IVA's Chair Marcus Wallenberg.

See more photos from the 2024 RTM here in our album on Flickr

The purpose of the mission is for leading representatives from different sectors of society to acquire new knowledge and establish new contacts. Sweden is a small country, but well positioned in the international competition. One of the explanations for Sweden's position of strength is that it is so easy for different parts of society to work together to solve common problems. IVA builds bridges between academia, business and the public sector.The Royal Technology Mission (RTM) is a way for us to bring together representatives from these different sectors of society, with the aim of strengthening Sweden's competitiveness.  

This year's RTM focused on new technologies, such as AI and quantum technology, but also processes such as digital and green transition. The delegation visited both Delft University of Technology and its "House of Quantum" and Wageningen University and Research Foundation as well as Leiden's Bio Science Park.  

The delegation also visited the port of Rotterdam, which is the largest port in Europe and employs around 250,000 people.  

Sweden and the Netherlands have many similarities; we are both innovative knowledge nations in northern Europe, we are both open economies that prioritise international cooperation, and we have a common view of how the EU should develop. Sweden can learn from the Netherlands when it comes to closer cooperation between universities and industry. The Netherlands has established strong clusters around universities, where start-ups and scale-ups naturally work side by side with researchers and large companies.  

Since 1984, IVA has regularly conducted international delegation trips under the name Royal Technology Mission (RTM). The focus is strategic technologies where the Netherlands is at the forefront, such as Artificial Intelligence, quantum technology, 6G, semiconductors, cybersecurity and foodtech. The Netherlands is one of Europe's most innovative countries with a strong tradition in education, research and innovation.  

A selection of the delegation's program items:

• Delft University of Technology, one of the world's ten highest-ranked technical universities
• House of Quantum Delta NL, a national quantum technology ecosystem
• Leiden Bio Science Park ranks top 5 in Europe and top 10 in the world
• Wageningen University and Research Foundation conducts research in foodtech, bio-based production, natural sciences and its impact on people's quality of life
• The Port of Rotterdam is the largest port in Europe and currently employs around 250,000 people
• VDL Enabling Technologies Group develops and produces a wide range of industrial products
• ASML Semiconductors, a global semiconductor company that supplies semiconductor manufacturers with components
• NXP Semiconductors, a global semiconductor company that develops and manufactures a variety of components for industrial semiconductors
• Philips is a technology company focused on healthcare products

IVA's delegation consisted of the following persons