Mission and strategy
‘Innovation is the market introduction of a technical or organisational novelty, not just its invention.’ Joseph Schumpeter
Our mission and core tasks
TNO’s mission is to generate innovative solutions with demonstrable impact to achieve a safe, healthy, sustainable, and digital society and boost the earning power of the Netherlands. We aim to achieve this by performing two core tasks (roles). The first is to support the Dutch government in carrying out statutory government tasks in the public interest. TNO’s second core task is to strengthen the earning power of the Dutch economy and increase employment.
TNO’s goals for 2030
Over the past nine decades, countless innovations have been developed, each with its own impact. For the coming decade, TNO sets ambitious goals to realise together with partners. With these goals for 2030, TNO contributes to societal issues and the earning capacity of the Netherlands.
The strategy
TNO wants to substantially increase the impact it has through performing its two core tasks. A strong knowledge base is crucial to support our core tasks and we therefore closely monitor relevant scientific and technological trends (including emerging technologies). TNO chooses to continue focusing mainly on making scientific insights applicable in practice.
We’ve identified some strategic key elements to help achieve that aim.
Client focus
Only with a thorough understanding of the complex context in which TNO’s clients and partners operate can TNO further increase its societal impact and potential.
Valorisation and implementation
To facilitate impact, TNO also focuses, often together with partners, on the last difficult steps leading to the successful market launch of a product or service.
SMEs
TNO’s technical knowledge, facilities, broad orientation, and national coverage can play a major role in addressing challenges facing SMEs in the Netherlands.
Time-to-market
The innovation landscape has become significantly more competitive. Time-to-market, speed, and agility have become crucial.
Focus and mass
TNO wants to generate impact by focusing on 4 societal themes: safety, health, sustainability, and digitalisation, as well as key enabling technologies. To give direction to these efforts, we work with ambitious targets that we call ‘moonshots’.
Systems thinking and system innovation
TNO has the unique ability to grasp many perspectives from different domains and understand a complex system – essential for accelerating societal transitions.
Fit and healthy organisation
TNO wants to facilitate a safe, healthy, and connected way of working, aimed at the sustainable employability of its staff. TNO is also committed to diversity and inclusiveness, ensuring a workplace where everyone feels at home and is given equal opportunities to develop.
Connecting Changing Accelerating
Read our strategy or the summary (pdf).