--- 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. ![I Stock 2015826336](https://d3d5gk1jdgmand.cloudfront.net/resized/_500x400_crop_center-center_none_ns/140220/iStock-2015826336.webp) ## BOM Position Paper: “No energy transition without flexibility” Background article The electricity grid is at capacity. Thousands of companies are waiting for a grid connection, solar and wind parks are forced to curtail production, and investments are being delayed. According to Daan van Lange, senior Investment Manager at the Brabant Development Agency (BOM), there is one lever we can act on today: flexibility. It enables us to make better use of the existing grid capacity. [Read more](https://www.bom.nl/en/articles/position-paper-bom-zonder-flexibiliteit-geen-energietransitie) ![Shutterstock 2198551397](https://d3d5gk1jdgmand.cloudfront.net/resized/_500x400_crop_center-center_none_ns/140177/shutterstock_2198551397.webp) ## Paul de Bot (TSMC): “Europe Must Focus on Chip Design to Remain Relevant” Entrepreneurial story The uncomfortable truth is that the Netherlands and Europe are rapidly losing relevance in the semiconductor industry. Artificial intelligence is accelerating that decline. This was the message delivered by Paul de Bot, Executive Vice President at TSMC Europe, during a visit to the Brabant Development Agency (BOM). The good news, according to De Bot: “This trend can be reversed.” [Read more](https://www.bom.nl/en/articles/paul-de-bot-tsmc-europa-moet-inzetten-op-chipdesign-om-relevant-te-blijven) ![Schermafbeelding 2026 04 24 104624](https://d3d5gk1jdgmand.cloudfront.net/resized/_500x400_crop_center-center_none_ns/139693/Schermafbeelding-2026-04-24-104624_2026-04-24-084903_bfyj.webp) ## BOM introduces Venture Building Framework: ‘Bringing structure to venture development’ Background article As an electrical engineer, Pepijn Herman built a company specialising in embedded hardware and software for consumer electronics. He later became commercial director, a role that, in hindsight, did not suit him. That experience is emblematic of where many ventures go wrong: a strong focus on technology, while other critical aspects of building a business receive insufficient attention. The Venture Building Framework, which he later developed at the Brabant Development Agency (BOM), addresses these aspects in an integrated way. [Read more](https://www.bom.nl/en/articles/bom-introduces-venture-building-framework) ![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) [ ![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) [ ![Purple nectar 1](https://d3d5gk1jdgmand.cloudfront.net/resized/_500x400_crop_center-center_none_ns/128712/purple-nectar-1.webp) ## Defence innovation accelerates as entrepreneurs and government join forces Background article ](https://www.bom.nl/en/articles/__temp_qnomxvkdgvblmswbtkxteynxyyckukeuxufv) [ ![Shutterstock 2414875069 1](https://d3d5gk1jdgmand.cloudfront.net/resized/_500x400_crop_center-center_none_ns/126871/shutterstock_2414875069-1.webp) ## AI Super Computing initiative Brabant Initiative ](https://www.bom.nl/en/articles/ai-super-computing-initiative-brabant) [ ![SAEYS BOM BIC Brabant Scale Up Plant 8278](https://d3d5gk1jdgmand.cloudfront.net/resized/_500x400_crop_center-center_none_ns/126488/SAEYS_BOM_BIC_Brabant_Scale_Up_Plant_8278_2025-11-07-095130_pkuf.webp) ## Opinion: The silent food transition begins with ingredients Background article ](https://www.bom.nl/en/articles/opinie-de-stille-voedseltransitie-begint-bij-ingredi%C3%ABnten) [ ![Shutterstock 1827297866](https://d3d5gk1jdgmand.cloudfront.net/resized/_500x400_crop_center-center_none_ns/124882/shutterstock_1827297866.webp) ## AI as the Conductor of the High-Tech Orchestra Background article ](https://www.bom.nl/en/articles/ai-als-dirigent-van-het-hightech-orkest) [ ![Onkruidrobot 1](https://d3d5gk1jdgmand.cloudfront.net/resized/_500x400_crop_center-center_none_ns/121894/onkruidrobot-1.webp) ## Stronger together against weeds: Brabant’s vegetable chain joins forces with robots Impact story ](https://www.bom.nl/en/articles/stronger-together-against-weeds) [ ![Deeptech paper 3](https://d3d5gk1jdgmand.cloudfront.net/resized/_500x400_crop_center-center_none_ns/121446/Deeptech-paper-3.webp) ## Why a product mindset is crucial for Deep Tech Background article ](https://www.bom.nl/en/articles/why-a-product-mindset-is-crucial-for-deep-tech) [ ![Teamcasa cover scaled e1737105398833 1444x1536](https://d3d5gk1jdgmand.cloudfront.net/resized/_500x400_crop_center-center_none_ns/121311/teamcasa_cover-scaled-e1737105398833-1444x1536.webp) ## Integer Technologies: from smart building to smart Brabant Entrepreneurial story ](https://www.bom.nl/en/articles/integer-technologies-van-slim-gebouw-naar-slim-brabant) [ ![SAEYS BOM BIC Brabant Scale Up Plant 0235](https://d3d5gk1jdgmand.cloudfront.net/resized/_500x400_crop_center-center_none_ns/118608/SAEYS_BOM_BIC_Brabant_Scale_Up_Plant_0235.webp) ## Why plant-based ingredients are the engine of a sustainable food system Background article ](https://www.bom.nl/en/articles/why-plant-based-ingredients-are-the-engine-of-a-sustainable-food-system) [ ![Air Depot Woensdrecht](https://d3d5gk1jdgmand.cloudfront.net/resized/_500x400_crop_center-center_none_ns/117646/Air-Depot-Woensdrecht.webp) ## Collaborating on safety and innovation: the role of BOM in the defence sector Background article ](https://www.bom.nl/en/articles/samenwerken-aan-veiligheid-en-innovatie-de-rol-van-bom-in-de-defensiesector)