Annual Report

Bouncing back to growth

TNO can look back on a good year. After years of contraction, the trend has reversed and investments are again being made. This will make more room available to tackle societal challenges and to increase the innovative power of Dutch business. That is desperately needed. Innovation is crucial to be able to meet the major challenges of the 21st century, such as climate change, mobility and security.

Paul de Krom, CEO of TNO: “TNO is pleased with the government's additional investments in applied research. Eleven programs can be financed with this. Two examples of subjects that require extra attention are research into artificial intelligence and innovations to make our neighborhoods gas-free. With the eleven programs, TNO wants to help solve the major social issues of the 21st century. "

Impact

The core of what TNO does is the realisation of impact: applying the knowledge TNO has developed. “The multidisciplinarity of TNO is one of our key added values in helping to solve societal challenges.” Innovation mainly occurs at the interfaces between different scientific disciplines, in long-term partnerships with underlying funding. “In 2021 TNO wants to be the flywheel of innovation in the Netherlands. Based on the demand from society, TNO works together with the best partners to find comprehensive solutions,” says TNO’s chief executive in the strategic plan.