--- title: Background stories date: 2025-07-30T16:30:00+02:00 canonical_url: "https://www.bom.nl/en/articles" section: Articles Overview --- # Background stories Entrepreneurs are at the heart of BOM. On this page, we share their stories: about growth, challenges, innovation, and impact. Discover how Brabant-based companies are building a sustainable future. ![Earth and satellites in connected network](https://d3d5gk1jdgmand.cloudfront.net/resized/_500x400_crop_center-center_none_ns/137818/Earth-and-satellites-in-connected-network.webp) ## On quantum hacks and the brains of AI: how Brabant is accelerating NATO innovation Background article On the day Russia invaded Ukraine, thousands of modems from the American company Viasat went offline. This led to a large-scale loss of communication during the first and most critical phase of the war. Such attacks are likely to occur more frequently, says Flow Collingwood, co-founder of the British company Pan Galactic. “With the arrival of quantum computers, the threat will only increase.” To mitigate these types of vulnerabilities, NATO is deploying DIANA, with Brabant as a key accelerator location. [Read more](https://www.bom.nl/en/articles/over-quantumhacks-en-de-hersenen-van-ai-hoe-brabant-navo-innovatie-versnelt) ![Melchert Meijer zu Schlochtern Smart Photonics is gevestigd op de High Tech Campus in Eindhoven](https://d3d5gk1jdgmand.cloudfront.net/resized/_500x400_crop_center-center_none_ns/137685/Melchert-Meijer-zu-Schlochtern-Smart-Photonics-is-gevestigd-op-de-High-Tech-Campus-in-Eindhoven_2026-03-30-104035_byhh.webp) ## 'Arrival of Eindhoven factory marks a new era for European photonics' Background article The Brabant and broader European ecosystem around integrated photonics is taking a major step forward with the arrival of a new factory for photonic chips. This new facility will significantly accelerate the industrialization of advanced InP photonic chips. This is essential for a wide range of applications, including AI data centers. [Read more](https://www.bom.nl/en/articles/nieuwe-eindhovense-fabriek-betekent-nieuw-tijdperk-voor-europese-fotonica) ![Victor Cureon](https://d3d5gk1jdgmand.cloudfront.net/resized/_500x400_crop_center-center_none_ns/137179/Victor-Cureon.webp) ## Usono founder: ‘From the CUREON living room, we are making major international strides’ Entrepreneurial story The High Tech Campus Eindhoven holds no secrets for Victor Donker. The founder and CEO of Usono has been roaming the campus for more than ten years. After graduating from Philips Design, he took his first steps as an entrepreneur there. With the arrival of innovation center CUREON, he has found his permanent base. A place from which he is taking significant international steps with his company. [Read more](https://www.bom.nl/en/articles/oprichter-usono-vanuit-huiskamer-cureon-zetten-we-internationaal-grote-stappen) ![260316 BOM VROUWEN HR 005 2026 03 17 091435 xqoh](https://d3d5gk1jdgmand.cloudfront.net/resized/_500x400_crop_center-center_none_ns/136655/260316_BOM_VROUWEN_HR_005_2026-03-17-091435_xqoh_2026-03-17-091508_yhhs.webp) ## The untapped growth potential of female entrepreneurship Impact story Entrepreneurship plays an indispensable role in accelerating the major transitions of our time. However, not every entrepreneur has equal access to capital. The female entrepreneurship that does exist is still far from being fully utilized. As a result, the Netherlands misses out on billions of euros in economic potential each year. This also presents a clear task for the Brabant Development Agency (BOM). [Read more](https://www.bom.nl/en/articles/de-onbenutte-groeikracht-van-vrouwelijk-ondernemerschap) ![Shutterstock 639884194 scaled](https://d3d5gk1jdgmand.cloudfront.net/resized/_500x400_crop_center-center_none_ns/135169/shutterstock_639884194-scaled.webp) ## From Insight to Impact: On ASML, Diversification and Building Strong Ecosystems Background article The Brabant economy is strong, yet it is also facing major changes. Otto Raspe and Brigit van Dijk – van de Reijt interpret the latest economic insights for Brabant. How dependent is the region on ASML? What does Peter Wennink’s report mean for the region? And how can we build strong ecosystems across Brabant? [Read more](https://www.bom.nl/en/articles/van-inzicht-naar-impact-over-asml-diversificatie-en-het-bouwen-van-sterke-ecosystemen) ![Photoshop MT Brigit](https://d3d5gk1jdgmand.cloudfront.net/resized/_500x400_crop_center-center_none_ns/134697/Photoshop-MT-Brigit.webp) ## BOM Director Brigit van Dijk – van de Reijt: ‘Negativity doesn’t help anyone move forward’ Impact story Last week, Techleap published the State of Dutch Tech 2026 report. It shows that the number of new startups has declined since 2023, that relatively fewer young companies are scaling up, and that large funding rounds rely heavily on foreign capital. For Brigit van Dijk – van de Reijt, this is no reason for pessimism. On the contrary. “Negativity doesn’t do anyone any good,” she says. According to her, this is precisely the time for regions to build focus, resilience, and strategic relevance, with Brabant as an example. [Read more](https://www.bom.nl/en/articles/bom-directeur-brigit-van-dijk-van-de-reijt-negativiteit-helpt-niemand-vooruit) [ ![Earth and satellites in connected network](https://d3d5gk1jdgmand.cloudfront.net/resized/_500x400_crop_center-center_none_ns/137818/Earth-and-satellites-in-connected-network.webp) ## On quantum hacks and the brains of AI: how Brabant is accelerating NATO innovation Background article ](https://www.bom.nl/en/articles/over-quantumhacks-en-de-hersenen-van-ai-hoe-brabant-navo-innovatie-versnelt) [ ![Melchert Meijer zu Schlochtern Smart Photonics is gevestigd op de High Tech Campus in Eindhoven](https://d3d5gk1jdgmand.cloudfront.net/resized/_500x400_crop_center-center_none_ns/137685/Melchert-Meijer-zu-Schlochtern-Smart-Photonics-is-gevestigd-op-de-High-Tech-Campus-in-Eindhoven_2026-03-30-104035_byhh.webp) ## 'Arrival of Eindhoven factory marks a new era for European photonics' Background article ](https://www.bom.nl/en/articles/nieuwe-eindhovense-fabriek-betekent-nieuw-tijdperk-voor-europese-fotonica) [ ![Victor Cureon](https://d3d5gk1jdgmand.cloudfront.net/resized/_500x400_crop_center-center_none_ns/137179/Victor-Cureon.webp) ## Usono founder: ‘From the CUREON living room, we are making major international strides’ Entrepreneurial story ](https://www.bom.nl/en/articles/oprichter-usono-vanuit-huiskamer-cureon-zetten-we-internationaal-grote-stappen) [ ![260316 BOM VROUWEN HR 005 2026 03 17 091435 xqoh](https://d3d5gk1jdgmand.cloudfront.net/resized/_500x400_crop_center-center_none_ns/136655/260316_BOM_VROUWEN_HR_005_2026-03-17-091435_xqoh_2026-03-17-091508_yhhs.webp) ## The untapped growth potential of female entrepreneurship Impact story ](https://www.bom.nl/en/articles/de-onbenutte-groeikracht-van-vrouwelijk-ondernemerschap) [ ![Shutterstock 639884194 scaled](https://d3d5gk1jdgmand.cloudfront.net/resized/_500x400_crop_center-center_none_ns/135169/shutterstock_639884194-scaled.webp) ## From Insight to Impact: On ASML, Diversification and Building Strong Ecosystems Background article ](https://www.bom.nl/en/articles/van-inzicht-naar-impact-over-asml-diversificatie-en-het-bouwen-van-sterke-ecosystemen) [ ![Photoshop MT Brigit](https://d3d5gk1jdgmand.cloudfront.net/resized/_500x400_crop_center-center_none_ns/134697/Photoshop-MT-Brigit.webp) ## BOM Director Brigit van Dijk – van de Reijt: ‘Negativity doesn’t help anyone move forward’ Impact story ](https://www.bom.nl/en/articles/bom-directeur-brigit-van-dijk-van-de-reijt-negativiteit-helpt-niemand-vooruit) [ ![Photoshop MT Chantal](https://d3d5gk1jdgmand.cloudfront.net/resized/_500x400_crop_center-center_none_ns/132375/Photoshop-MT-Chantal.webp) ## Why BOM invests in ecosystems: 'Innovation requires more than just good ideas' Impact story ](https://www.bom.nl/en/articles/over-het-belang-van-ecosystemen-innovatie-vraagt-om-meer-dan-alleen-goede-idee%C3%ABn) [ ![Photoshop MT Marc](https://d3d5gk1jdgmand.cloudfront.net/resized/_500x400_crop_center-center_none_ns/131846/Photoshop-MT-Marc.webp) ## How BOM aims to unlock the investment climate: 'It’s gridlocked. Funds are too small' Impact story ](https://www.bom.nl/en/articles/zo-wil-bom-het-investeringsklimaat-vlottrekken-het-zit-op-slot-fondsen-zijn-te-klein) [ ![Photoshop MT Daan](https://d3d5gk1jdgmand.cloudfront.net/resized/_500x400_crop_center-center_none_ns/131426/Photoshop-MT-Daan_2026-01-05-132819_rfmk.webp) ## Brabant opens doors worldwide, now it’s up to The Hague Impact story ](https://www.bom.nl/en/articles/brabant-opent-wereldwijd-deuren-nu-den-haag-nog) [ ![Photoshop Martijn](https://d3d5gk1jdgmand.cloudfront.net/resized/_500x400_crop_center-center_none_ns/129985/Photoshop-Martijn_2025-12-22-102848_ummk.webp) ## The engine room of BOM: why well-organised data matters Impact story ](https://www.bom.nl/en/articles/de-machinekamer-van-bom-waarom-goed-georganiseerde-data-ertoe-doen) [ ![Whats App Image 2025 12 15 at 12 59 01 4](https://d3d5gk1jdgmand.cloudfront.net/resized/_500x400_crop_center-center_none_ns/129607/WhatsApp-Image-2025-12-15-at-12.59.01-4.webp) ## How Thaumatec uses trade missions to accelerate international growth: ‘You can’t do this work from your office alone’ Entrepreneurial story ](https://www.bom.nl/en/articles/hoe-thaumatec-via-handelsmissies-versnelt-je-kunt-dit-werk-niet-alleen-vanuit-je-kantoor-doen) [ ![N35 A8194](https://d3d5gk1jdgmand.cloudfront.net/resized/_500x400_crop_center-center_none_ns/129337/N35A8194.webp) ## What investment readiness requires: entrepreneurs share their stories Impact story ](https://www.bom.nl/en/articles/wat-investeringsgereedheid-vraagt-ondernemers-aan-het-woord)