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From ideas to uptake:
The Dutch experience of launching promising technologies in challenging markets

Innovative businesses can help develop solutions to major social issues like safe water, global food security, renewable energy, aging populations and life-threatening diseases. However, getting innovative ideas and technologies to market can be challenging. In this breakfast session, learn how innovation ecosystems like the WaterCampus in the Netherlands can help fast-track ideas, and hear about the experiences of two Dutch companies, DeSaH and Aquacare, who have successfully brought their ideas to domestic and international markets.

Bring your questions – we’ll supply coffee and breakfast.

The Water Alliance is a unique partnership of public and private companies, government agencies and knowledge institutes in the Netherlands, all focused on innovative and sustainable water technology that can be used worldwide. The Water Alliance is part of the WaterCampus Leeuwarden, which encompasses a complete chain of innovation, from first idea to R&D, pilot projects and commercial companies.

DeSah BV specializes in the development and implementation of innovative and sustainable wastewater technologies, including feasibility studies, design, construction, management and maintenance. DeSaH works with existing concepts and technologies, and also develops new technologies, enabling them to remain at the forefront of innovative and decentralized water technology.

Aquacare designs, manufactures, installs, commissions and maintains water treatment equipment and programs, with the aim of maximizing efficiency, reliability and cost effectiveness, while minimizing environmental impacts. Aquacare has more than 25 years of innovation experience, creating a better future in water usage.

Program

7:30 Welcome
7:35 How to facilitate innovations from idea to market
Jantienne van der Meij, WaterCampus
7:45 Case Study: Decentralised WWTP with energy and nutrient recovery in Edmonton
Brendo Meulman, DeSah
7:55 Case Study: George Barley Water Prize
Koos Baas, Aquacare
8:05 Discussion
8:30 End

Speakers

Jantienne van der Meij-Kranendonk

Liaison
WaterCampus Leeuwarden

Jantienne van der Meij-Kranendonk is the liaison for WaterCampus Leeuwarden (Water Alliance, Wetsus and Centre of Expertise Watertechnology), which is based in The Hague. She builds and maintains a network with water-related organizations and the Dutch government, from local to national levels. Jantienne represents Water Alliance in the Top Consortium for Knowledge and Innovation in Water Technology, and scouts for new strategic opportunities.

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Jantienne previously worked as an advisor for international programs at the European Union’s Research Funding and International Programs team at the Valorization Centre of Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands. This team is responsible for strategic and proposal support to TU Delft researchers on EU H2020 calls, as well as continuous dialogue with politicians and policy-makers on research and innovation.

Earlier, Jantienne served as an advisor for innovation, technology and science at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Washington, DC, where she stimulated technological cooperation by building and maintaining a science and technology network in the Netherlands, the U.S. and Canada in water technology, the circular economy and renewable energy. She also served as a program coordinator and advisor at the Ministry of Economic Affairs – Netherlands Enterprise Agency, where she was responsible for a water and a renewable energy subsidy program.

Jantienne is a graduate of the University of Amsterdam, where she received a Master in Medical Biology and a Master in Science, Technology & Public Management.

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Brendo Meulman

Technical Director
DeSaH BV

Brendo Meulman is the technical director of DeSaH BV, a consultancy and contracting firm specializing in the development and implementation of innovative and sustainable wastewater technologies, including feasibility studies, design, construction, management and maintenance. DeSaH works continuously to develop existing concepts and technologies, as well as developing new ones, enabling them to remain at the forefront of innovative and decentralised water technology. Previously, Brendo was the project manager of several national and international projects and has set up various collaborations with multiple research institutes within the Netherlands and abroad.

Koos J. Baas

Founder and CEO
Aquacare

Koos Baas is the Founder and CEO of Aquacare and Green Water Solutions. He was educated as a chemical engineer. Koos’ first job was in water treatment in 1978, and he’s never looked back. Since then, he’s developed expertise on corrosion, scaling and biofouling, primarily on cooling towers and boiler treatment. In 1988, Koos founded Aquacare Netherlands. He was involved in the early stage of membrane technology in the Netherlands and co-authored many articles on the development and use of anti-scalents. Since 2008, Koos has been implementing innovative technologies to avoid bio-growth through phosphorus limitation.