Tom van der Horst

Functie:
Business Director

Tom van der Horst (1963) is Business Director Strategies for Industry and Innovation at TNO. Within this programme he explores how key technologies such as integrated photonics, quantum and AI can help address societal challenges. This includes foresight studies, system analyses and strategic advice for governments, companies, regions and the European Commission. All with one goal: building strong public-private innovation programmes together.

Tom is a member of the national Key Technologies core team and a board member of HightechNL. He was one of the initiators of the large-scale innovation programme NXTGEN Hightech, in which more than 330 partners work together on the technology of tomorrow. As strategy director of this programme, he is often asked about the success factors behind NXTGEN. This inspired him to write the book ‘Innovatiekracht – Handboek voor de toekomst van Nederland’ (2025).

About the book

The Netherlands faces major challenges: climate change, security, and safeguarding our prosperity and well-being demand renewal and investment. Innovative Power—the ability to actually realise innovations—is, according to Tom, the key to a better future. But what does this mean in practice? How do you ensure that innovation does not get stuck in plans but leads to tangible results?

In this handbook Tom shares insights, examples and practical tips from the world of public-private collaboration. He places innovation in a historical and international context and presents seven concrete proposals for action. A must-read for everyone working on innovation programmes and looking for new pathways towards impact.

The book is available in open access and can be downloaded here (Dutch only): https://library.oapen.org/handle/20.500.12657/98171

Delft - Stieltjesweg

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The Netherlands

Postal address

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2600 AD Delft
The Netherlands