Brainport Eindhoven has released the 16th edition of the Brainport Monitor, offering an in-depth look at the region's performance across innovation, technology, entrepreneurship, education, labor market, and living environment. This year's edition shines a spotlight on six key themes, highlighting the increasing pressures on the region's business climate and the growing need for societal solutions, including sustainability efforts, maintaining productivity, and addressing electricity grid congestion issues that hinder business expansion.
The monitor features an online dashboard enriched with over 50 statistics, providing a detailed view of the region's innovation, technology & entrepreneurship, talent, and living & business climate. A new addition this year is a municipal breakdown showcasing economic themes, providing localized insights across the region.
Brainport Eindhoven's economy saw a robust growth of 6.1% in 2022, outpacing the national growth rate of 4.5%. This growth comes in the face of challenges such as accessibility, housing, and labor market tightness.
Exports, a critical component of Brainport's economy, grew significantly, with the region's high-tech systems and materials sector leading the charge. Exports from this sector increased by 24% in 2021, contributing significantly to the region's economic output.
The region's industrial sector, a dominant force in Brainport, has shown impressive growth in labor productivity, increasing by 130% in 2021 compared to 2015. This trend is a positive indicator for the long-term economic growth of the area.
Brainport Eindhoven continues to demonstrate its innovation prowess, with businesses and academic institutions investing €3 billion in R&D in 2020. This investment accounts for over a quarter of the Netherlands' total R&D expenditure, highlighting the region's commitment to innovation.
The region is home to a significant number of deeptech startups, with 80% of startup investments in 2022 flowing into this sector. Deeptech startups, known for their foundation in scientific discoveries and technological innovations, are a driving force behind regional transitions.
Despite progress, the challenge of decoupling CO2 emissions from economic growth persists. The region is striving to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while continuing to grow economically, with renewable energy sources seeing significant increases.
Grid congestion remains a concern, with hundreds of businesses awaiting connection. Meanwhile, Natura2000 areas in the region are struggling to meet national nitrogen deposition targets, indicating ongoing environmental challenges.
The Brainport Monitor provides a critical examination of the region's performance and challenges, offering insights into its economic health, innovation ecosystem, and sustainability efforts. As Brainport Eindhoven continues to navigate these complexities, the Monitor serves as a valuable tool for understanding and addressing the needs of this dynamic region.