About Us

For vital functioning citizens in a healthy economy

Top Sector Life Sciences & Health (Health~Holland) is the driving force behind innovation within the Life Sciences & Health (LSH) sector. We strive to achieve both economic and societal impact.

With a clear vision for a healthier future, we strategically invest in a wide range of top disciplines, from pharmaceuticals and medical technology to healthcare infrastructure, vaccine research, eHealth, and data analysis. Our goal is to stimulate groundbreaking scientific discoveries and technological innovations that not only transform healthcare and the LSH sector but also contribute to sustainable and structural economic growth.

Health~Holland leverages the power of collaboration to accelerate innovations and address societal challenges, helping to transform health and care. We unite scientists, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and citizens in a dynamic ecosystem where ideas can thrive and technologies can be quickly brought to market. We ensure that knowledge and resources are shared effectively, creating collaborations that enhance the impact of investments. Through public-private partnerships and collaborative efforts, we promote the development of innovative concepts, products, and services, and ensure their valorization and practical application.

Top Sector Life Sciences & Health is one of the ten top sectors in the Netherlands and coordinating partner of the Societal Theme Health & Care of the Dutch government's Mission-driven Top Sectors and Innovation Policy. The top sectors are designated by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and are selected based on their ability to make a significant contribution to global societal challenges. Health~Holland is the brand name of the Top Sector Life Sciences & Health and is also the logo.


What do we do?

We build on the strengths of the Dutch LSH sector by fulfilling two distinct roles: Innovation Facilitator and Societal Impact Coordinator. In this way, Health~Holland serves as a bridge that connects science, the economy, and society. Just as a bridge reliably connects two shores, Health~Holland brings together various parties to share knowledge, resources, and innovations. This creates a strong connection that enables collaboration, allowing ideas and technologies to flow seamlessly from the lab to the market, with the goal of strengthening the economy and healthcare in the Netherlands. This is how we bridge the gap between innovation and social impact for a healthy future.

brug illustratie
  1. Innovation Facilitator (Top Sectors Policy)
    Health~Holland acts as a facilitator by encouraging collaboration between businesses, universities, knowledge institutions, and government. By bringing these different parties together, Health~Holland ensures that knowledge, expertise, and resources are effectively shared, leading to faster breakthroughs and marketable innovations. This collective effort strengthens the LSH sector.

Additionally, Health~Holland acts as a financier by supporting various public-private partnerships and projects with financial resources. This funding enables innovations in the LSH sector, contributing to a healthier and more prosperous society.

  1. Economical and Societal Impact Coordinator (Mission-driven Innovation Policy)
    As Societal Impact Coordinator, Health~Holland leads national collaborations between public and private parties, aligning investments and activities to achieve both economic and societal impact through technological innovation and valorization. The Knowledge and Innovation Agenda Health & Care 2024-2027 serves as the guiding framework. Through mission-driven collaboration with numerous KIC partners, we are working towards "vital functioning citizens in a healthy economy."

The joint focus of the parties is shaped by six Health & Care missions as formulated by the Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Sport. See the figure below.

Mission

Read the KIA 2024-2027

How do we do this?

The two roles of Innovation Facilitator and Societal Impact Coordinator reinforce each other, enabling maximum economic and societal impact.

Subsidies

With the help of subsidies*, companies and knowledge institutions can be encouraged to jointly invest in research & development (R&D) with the goal of developing sustainable innovative products and services within the LSH sector, thus contributing to strengthening the Dutch economy and a healthier Netherlands.

*We implement the PPP innovation subsidy scheme on behalf of the Ministry of Economic Affairs. Through this scheme, we can provide funding for both PPP projects and network activities and innovation brokers.

Collaboration

As a connector within the Life Sciences & Health sector we play a crucial role in bringing together diverse stakeholders, including researchers, entrepreneurs, citizens, and policymakers, to promote collaboration and knowledge exchange. Moreover, we stimulate new initiatives and support groundbreaking projects that contribute to a healthier society. We identify promising developments and help bring them to market so that patients can benefit from the latest healthcare solutions faster.

Who do we work for?

We work on behalf of the Netherlands, aiming to strengthen its position as a knowledge-based and market-driven economy while also improving the health and care of all citizens.

In our annual year reports we summarize our performance:

Health~Holland Annual Report 2023 (NL)
Health~Holland Annual Report 2022 (NL)
Health~Holland Annual Report 2021 (NL)
Health~Holland Annual Report 2020 (NL)
Health~Holland Annual Report 2019 (NL)

Call to action

Do you want to help build this bright future? Click here to see how you can contribute.