MIND officially opened its doors on Friday, February 14th at Campus Groningen in Startup City. MIND, part of the Command Materiel and IT (COMMIT) of Defense, was established with a clear mission: to accelerate innovation through collaboration with the region and businesses. Leading as the innovation manager for MINDbase North is Marnix Modderman, who works with a small team to scout groundbreaking technologies for Defense. "MIND stands for Military Innovation by Doing," explains Marnix. "Our goal is simple: not just to embrace innovation, but to implement it."
Given the geopolitical conditions and the emphasis on innovation in the Defense Strategy, the need for new technologies is more urgent than ever. MIND plays a crucial role for the Ministry of Defense by sourcing and applying innovative technologies from entrepreneurs and research institutions.
MIND was established by Defense to think outside the box and collaborate with local businesses and startups. "Our role is to identify and evaluate innovations for their suitability in defense operations," explains Marnix. "We focus on technologies with a Technology Readiness Level of 6 or higher, indicating they are either in prototype stage or ready for deployment. Additionally, they must be dual-use, serving both military and civilian applications."
"MINDbase North intentionally chose to be outside the military base, in a region with numerous innovative companies that might not even realize Defense needs their technologies," says Marnix. The strategic selection of Campus Groningen is underscored by its comprehensive educational and research institutions, from vocational training to universities, and strong connections to innovation clusters in Northern Netherlands. It serves as a nexus where education and industry converge, from startups to international corporations, providing invaluable networking opportunities.
"MINDbase North intentionally chose to be outside the military base, in a region with numerous innovative companies that might not even realize Defense needs their technologies."
Marnix Modderman innovation manager MINDbase North
MIND aims for sustainable partnerships with innovative entrepreneurs. Defense oversees a broad spectrum, from military operations to managing hospitals, schools, sports facilities, and postal services, where innovations can contribute significantly. "We also require advancements in medical technology, communication solutions, and logistics," emphasizes Marnix. "The collaboration potential is immense."
"Normally, accessing a military base without an appointment is challenging. We're here to lower that barrier. Entrepreneurs can simply call or email me to discuss over coffee how we can collaborate," says Marnix.
Furthermore, Marnix stresses that Defense aims not only to acquire but also to invest in the region. "We're not looking for short-term projects; we aim to build sustainable relationships and grow together with the region."
MIND invites entrepreneurs in Northern Netherlands to share their innovative technologies and collaborate. "Do you have technology that could be relevant to Defense? Get in touch and let's have coffee," invites Marnix Modderman. For entrepreneurs and organizations interested in collaborating with MINDbase North, Marnix Modderman can be contacted via email (mt.modderman@mindef.nl).
Source text: Campus Groningen
Header image: Marnix Modderman and Elise Teuben, director Knowledge & Innovation COMMIT, perform the official opening ceremony of MINDbase Noord. Source images: MIND
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