Leiden Bio Science Park in the entrepreneurial lead

A significant leap in scale also comes with its challenges

Campuses and science parks are a driving force for the national economy, accelerating innovation and contributing to solutions for the challenges we face as a society. It is vital for the Netherlands to continue to invest in the development of these innovative ecosystems. This is the conclusion of research published on December 4 by Buck Consultants International. At 40 years old, Leiden Bio Science Park is one of the most mature campuses, has international status as the largest Life Sciences & Health park in the Netherlands and is in the midst of an expansion of activity. Experience shows that a position like this can only be achieved with vision and a consistent long-term approach.

Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, Leiden Bio Science Park has become the largest specialized campus and science park in the Netherlands. Thanks in part to its international status as a Life Sciences and Health innovation district, Leiden Bio Science Park is leading the way in activity and impact: of the 900 new companies that have established themselves nationally on the Netherlands’ 20 largest campuses since 2018, no fewer than 194 chose Leiden. Now, 430 companies employ more than 11,700 people here. In terms of the number of companies, this makes the Leiden Innovation District the fastest growing of all mature campuses. Total employment in the Leiden Bio Science Park, including educational and knowledge institutions, is rising to more than 25,000 employees. In percentage terms, employment at the Leiden Bio Science Park is thus growing almost three times faster than in the rest of the Leiden region. The innovative power of the park is underlined by the sharply increased presence of start-ups (from 5 to 66) and spin-offs arising from knowledge institutions and companies (from 35 to 77).

Growth brings new challenges

Esther Peters, director of Leiden Bio Science Park, emphasizes that the park’s international status as a Life Sciences & Health innovation district is a long-term effort:

“As with the equally vibrant start-up network of our partner TU Delft Campus, here in Leiden knowledge is successfully translated into practical applications. We work on the future of health here every day. Our economic and social impact reaches far beyond the borders of our innovation district, even of our country. The whole of the Netherlands benefits from this. However, with the growth of activity on and impact of our campus, the challenges grow along with it international talent. Leiden Bio Science Park and the National Campus Consultation continue to insist that this requires consistent policy and investment at the national level.”