QuinteQ Energy in Make Next Platform on scaling deep-tech innovation (Het Financieele Dagblad)

We’re pleased to share this article from Het Financieele Dagblad, written by Bert van Dijk, highlighting the Make Next Platform and QuinteQ Energy’s journey in scaling advanced energy technology. Check out the version in English below, or read the original Dutch version either here or at the original link.

How does the Netherlands create more large high-tech manufacturing companies?

ASML, Thales, Huisman, Vanderlande and the TechnologyRating Foundation are joining forces to support more promising young scale-ups. The main goal is to preserve and strengthen the high-quality manufacturing industry in the Netherlands.

When chip machine manufacturer ASML slows down, the entire Brainport region feels it. The network of companies built around it makes the ecosystem vulnerable, as it depends on a handful of large players.

To reduce this dependency, the Make Next Platform focuses on developing more large high-tech companies in the Netherlands. The philosophy is simple yet ambitious:
“We believe it is important that more companies emerge in this way, as we want to build technological supply chains in the Netherlands,” says Lukas Roffel technical director at Thales Netherlands, one of the participating companies.

Although Make Next was founded in 2016, it has largely remained under the radar. Due to increasing pressure on the industry—such as staff shortages, rising costs, and the growing call in Europe for “Made in Europe”—the platform is now stepping more into the spotlight.
“We want to expand our activities and support more companies,” says chairman Rob van der Werf.

Completely free of charge

What makes the platform unique is that no money is invested.
“We do this entirely free of charge,” says Lukas Roffel. “We don’t want entrepreneurs to think in terms of returns. Venture capital is different: there, the question is always when investments will be paid back.”

Instead, ASML, Thales, Huisman and Vanderlande support young manufacturing companies by giving them access to their internal knowledge. Scale-ups receive coaching and direct access to specialists within these companies, for example on setting up supply chains or organizing research and development.

Building micro-networks in Ukraine

The platform organizes knowledge sessions about four times a year. By sharing expertise on topics such as export controls, sanctions, and regulations related to military applications, large companies help smaller ones remain competitive in a complex global landscape.

The results are becoming visible, says Peter Berting, director of the platform. He points to QuinteQ Energy, a company that uses flywheel technology for energy storage. Through the platform, the company has transformed from working on complex space-related technologies into a player that, together with Lockheed Martin, is building microgrids in Ukraine.

“You are not alone anymore”

“The Make Next Platform is like an extension of your own organization,” says Paul Vosbeek, founder and CEO of QuinteQ Energy. “You’re used to solving everything yourself. It’s like walking across a schoolyard and suddenly having a big, strong friend. You’re still the one holding the steering wheel, but you gain access to experience and knowledge. You are no longer alone.”

Coaches also observe that companies struggle with typical Dutch challenges. The Netherlands is strong in engineering, but scale-ups that want to grow face obstacles. Sometimes they cannot obtain grid connections for new factories. Strict regulations and relatively small financing rounds push young companies abroad.

Garage box

The problem is rarely a lack of good ideas, Berting explains.
“Our scale-ups know very well how to come up with smart solutions in a garage. But how do you sell thousands? How do you build a reliable supply chain? That’s the real challenge.”

For example, QuinteQ Energy developed its flywheel based on intellectual property from Boeing, making it highly suitable for the Dutch construction sector. However, adapting this technology to applications such as harbor cranes required additional expertise. Specialists from Huisman helped explain how such systems are built and what needs to be considered when scaling the technology.

Coaching the next generation

The Make Next Platform specifically focuses on the phase in which companies transition from prototype to series production. Companies must have the potential to reach at least €50 million in revenue within five years.

The platform currently includes companies such as VSPARTICLE, Lobster Robotics, VitalFluid, Vivolta, Tree Composites, Morphotonics and Zepp.solutions.

The ultimate goal is a self-sustaining ecosystem, Berting explains:
“The most beautiful outcome would be if one of today’s scale-ups sits at the table in ten years as a founder, coaching the next generation.”

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