ROTTERDAM - The Cambridge Innovation Center moved into the Groot Handelsgebouw in Rotterdam over 5 years ago. CIC chose Rotterdam as its first international location - outside the USA - because of the potential of the ecosystem, its central location in Europe and the city's desire to strengthen the entrepreneurial climate.
Both Rotterdam Partners, the city's promotional agency, and Rotterdam City Council were keen for CIC to open a branch in Rotterdam. The business climate in various world cities was positively influenced by the arrival of CIC in cities such as Boston and Miami, and Rotterdam saw the American company as a suitable partner.
CIC impact: investments, jobs and 50 entrepreneurial prizes
The total investment money raised in recent years - by start-ups at CIC - is over 600 million. This was mainly financed by venture capital. 1828 full-time jobs were created by the companies in CIC's community. The percentage of international companies - companies that have one or more offices across the border - is about 20%. The sectors It/tech/software, business consulting and service providers are best represented. There are many winners among the companies; in recent years, they have won more than 50 national and international entrepreneurial awards.
250 companies
Over the past 5 years, CIC Rotterdam has been home to an average of about 250 companies and organizations. About half of the companies are start-ups or scale-ups, the share of small and medium-sized enterprises is on average about 18%, the share of corporate companies is 5% and there are on average about 25 investors. The remainder is occupied by non-profit organizations and freelancers.
50,000 attendees at community events
Together with its non-profit sister organization, Venture Café, CIC brings the Rotterdam community together at weekly events such as the Thursday Gatherings. Here, entrepreneurs exchange knowledge, networks and experience. In recent years, a total of around 50,000 visitors attended the combined events.
"The driving force behind CIC is the community of innovative companies, ranging from start-ups and scale-ups to investors and corporates. Through an inspiring work environment and programming focused on access to talent, funding and the total innovation ecosystem, we want to increase the impact of our community. By working closely with partners from across the innovation ecosystem, we will make a positive contribution to the business climate in Rotterdam," says Joyce Kornet-Vreugdenhil.
CIC General Manager Joyce Kornet-Vreugdenhil 📷 Roxanne WilmOpening DELTA, the end of an era
The opening of the final CIC DELTA office space marks the end of years of expansion of flexible and hybrid offices in the Groot Handelsgebouw. The total number of square metres of office space now exceeds 10,500m2.
