Our focus
The research group focuses on connecting regional policy to strengthen international entrepreneurship and cross-border ecosystems, and in so doing creating more opportunities for entrepreneurs in the region.
Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Retail
We strengthen entrepreneurship in the regional retail sector, from startup to scale-up. Together with the Center for Entrepreneurship and partners in the EURES program, we support entrepreneurs and projects. We work with municipalities and (inter)national retail organizations to create vibrant downtown areas, develop new concepts, and improve the conditions for startups.
Regional ecosystems and value chains
We build and connect regional ecosystems in which stakeholders collaborate as both a network and a value chain. We bring players together, clarify roles and governance, and develop data and monitoring tools for steering. An example is Interreg E6, where we strengthen circular innovation systems focused on extending product lifespans—including in construction (value) chains—in collaboration with other research groups.
Competitiveness and Broad Prosperity
We investigate how regional competitiveness and broad prosperity reinforce each other. Together with partners, we analyze talent mobility, productivity, and the dynamics of servicification: the use of services and digitization in sectors and value chains. We link this to the concept of a vibrant region, including positive health as the foundation for sustainable economic dynamism.