MedTech Twente
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MedTech Twente: where technology and healthcare meet
Twente is the place where medical technology and innovation come together. Here, businesses, healthcare providers, knowledge partners and local authorities develop solutions that keep healthcare accessible, affordable and adequately staffed. Every day, the region tackles challenges linked to an ageing population, staff shortages and digital transformation. Close connections between researchers, entrepreneurs and clinicians help Twente accelerate the journey from prototype to practice.
A compact and complete ecosystem
The University of Twente’s internationally renowned TechMed Centre is at the heart of research, simulation and validation. Saxion University of Applied Sciences and ROC van Twente strengthen this ecosystem through practical education and applied research in areas including robotics and point of care. Novel-T helps startups and scaleups accelerate their growth. Close collaboration across the border between the University of Twente, MST hospital, the University of Münster and Münster University Hospital (UKM) also makes Twente a model for delivering healthcare to its residents. Together, they form a unique network in which talent, research and business work side by side, literally within walking distance of one another.
Businesses with international impact
Twente has a strong medtech industry, with companies such as Demcon, Micronit, Inreda Diabetic, MedSpray and Baat Medical, alongside rapidly growing startups including OccamDX, Moovd, Lipocoat and UNeedle. They develop solutions such as rehabilitation robotics, diagnostics supported by AI, point of care testing technology and smart biomedical sensors. At the MedTech Factory, entrepreneurs can design, validate and scale up their products.
Connected to national and European missions
MedTech Twente is part of Twente’s technological identity and closely connected to national and European initiatives such as Health~Holland, MedTechNL, investments through the Dutch National Growth Fund, Horizon Europe and EIT Health. The region also joins forces with partners through Think East Netherlands and Tech.Land. Through these connections, Twente actively contributes to tackling major healthcare challenges in prevention, chronic conditions and helping people live independently at home for longer. This is helping the region grow into a European hotspot for medical technology.
Twente is developing the Hospital of the Future
To prepare healthcare for the future, with fewer professionals and growing demand for care, Twente is working with partners including FME, MST, ZGT, Twente Board and the TechMed Centre on the Hospital of the Future. Early detection, smart sensors, digital monitoring and robotics will allow some care to move into people’s homes. This hospital brings together specialist medical care, innovation in medical technology and infrastructure for patient data. What does this mean in practice? Healthcare professionals receive technological support, residents can remain independent for longer, and hospitals become technology hubs for specialist care, delivering high quality care with fewer staff. This makes Twente a natural partner for national and European health programmes.
Latest MedTech News
Discover Twente’s MedTech ecosystem
Tomorrow’s healthcare is taking shape in Twente. Within the MedTech Twente ecosystem, businesses, hospitals and research institutions work closely together on medical technology that makes a real difference in practice, rather than gathering dust on a shelf. The region brings together leading expertise, entrepreneurship and advanced testing and development facilities, helping innovations move quickly through development and scale up. For talent and professionals, this means an inspiring environment where you can contribute to meaningful technological progress. For businesses, Twente offers a unique network and fertile ground for successfully bringing new healthcare solutions to life.
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TechMed Centre
Labs, simulation & validation for medical technology
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UT Biomedical Technology
Research, development and applications
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UT Robotics & Mechatronics
Robotica-solutions for healthcare and rehabilitation
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UT NanoLab
micro- en nanotechnology for MedTech-innovations
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ROC van Twente
Talent with vocational qualifications and technical skills for healthcare
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Saxion Healthcare Technology & Smart Health
Applied research and prototyping
Startups and innovation support
Twente offers a thriving startup environment for anyone working on innovative medical technology. The MedTech Twente ecosystem provides targeted support to help you turn an idea into a validated solution, from expert coaching and practical tools to access to a valuable network of healthcare partners and investors. As a pioneering entrepreneur, you can take a structured approach and move faster towards a strong business case and innovation that makes a difference.
Partners
Roessingh Research & Development
Roessingh Research & Development
Our ambitions and programmes within MedTech Twente
Twente makes targeted investments in medical technology that keeps healthcare affordable, accessible and centred on people. The following programmes contribute to the cluster’s growth
MedTech Twente 2030
Accelerates innovation, talent development and collaboration between education, government and businesses.
Hospital of the future
Technology for hybrid care, triage supported by AI, sensors and home care models.
MedTech Fund
Supports startups and scaleups with validation and scaling up.
MedTech Factory
Manufacturing and validation facilities in the heart of Science(Kennis)park Twente.
Zorg Innovatie Plein & Zorginnovatie Infrastructuur Twente
Environments for testing and implementing new healthcare solutions.
UBENT & Collaborative power of informal care
Regional collaboration on prevention, care for older people and long term care.
FAQ MedTech Twente
What is MedTech in Twente?
MedTech in Twente is the region’s medical technology ecosystem, bringing together education, research, businesses and healthcare partners. It includes the University of Twente (UT) and its TechMed Centre, Saxion University of Applied Sciences, ROC van Twente, Kennispark Twente and hospitals such as MST and ZGT. Here, startups and businesses work with researchers and clinicians on diagnostics, robotics, sensors and data solutions to improve healthcare.
Why is Twente strong in MedTech?
Twente brings together a technical university, a university of applied sciences, vocational education, a manufacturing industry and clinical partners in one region. The TechMed Centre provides simulation, training and validation facilities. Saxion and ROC van Twente develop talent with practical skills, while Kennispark and Novel-T support startups. This network accelerates the journey from innovation to practical application. The University of Twente was also the first to offer a Technical Medicine programme, which now has medical accreditation.
What MedTech courses can I take?
- UT: bachelor’s and master’s programmes in Biomedical Engineering and Technical Medicine, plus courses in Health Data.
- Saxion: higher professional education in Healthcare Technology and Industrial Design, including practical lab work.
- ROC van Twente: vocational programmes in healthcare and technology, including digital healthcare and equipment.
Connected learning pathways run from vocational education through to university, with placements at MST, Kennispark businesses and startups.
Where can I find MedTech jobs and placements?
Through the regional jobs hub, company profiles on Kennispark Twente and the careers pages of UT, Saxion and ROC van Twente.
Which businesses and startups are active in Twente?
The region has a mix of design firms, suppliers and product developers, alongside startups working on sensors, robotics, imaging and diagnostics. Examples include Demcon, Micronit, MedSpray, Inreda Diabetic, Baat Medical, Moovd, OccamDX, Lipocoat and UNeedle. Startups receive support through Novel-T.
Which facilities can I use for research and validation?
- TechMed Centre: laboratories, simulation facilities and training spaces.
- Saxion: practical laboratories and prototyping facilities.
- Kennispark Twente: additional laboratories for sensors, logistics and robotics.
- Münster University Hospital (UKM): laboratories and training spaces.
How do certification and regulation work in MedTech?
Follow the European MDR and IVDR frameworks. Advice and support are available from UT, Saxion and specialist advisers. Practical steps include determining the risk class, establishing quality management in line with ISO 13485 and gathering evidence through testing and clinical studies.
How can I connect with the ecosystem as a student or someone starting their career?
Through open days, workshops, project modules at UT and Saxion, networking events at Kennispark Twente and support from Novel-T. These help you quickly build connections with researchers, engineers and entrepreneurs in Enschede and Hengelo.
Which MedTech research areas show promise?
- Sensor technology.
- Organ-on-a-chip.
- Medical imaging.
- Robotics for medical interventions.
- Healthcare driven by data.
These areas align with UT research, projects at universities of applied sciences and regional healthcare challenges.
How can policy accelerate MedTech growth?
By supporting pilot projects, improving access to facilities, encouraging joint procurement, offering vouchers for testing and validation, and strengthening international connections through trade fairs and trade missions.
What does MedTech contribute to Twente’s economy?
- Highly skilled jobs.
- Innovative business activity.
- Turning knowledge into practical and commercial value, with collaboration across high tech, software and healthcare.
- Growth at Kennispark Twente and new investment in Enschede, Hengelo and Almelo.
How do pilot projects and implementation with healthcare providers work?
Start with clinical challenges and plan for user testing, safety and privacy. Collaboration with MST and the practical laboratories at UT, Saxion and ROC van Twente helps accelerate adoption. Evaluation provides the basis for procurement and scaling up.
Where can I find an overview of laboratories and testbed opportunities?
- TechMed Centre: laboratories and simulation facilities.
- Saxion: practical laboratories.
- Kennispark Twente: additional testing facilities.
- Münster University Hospital (UKM): a training centre for medical professionals.
What are good first steps for a MedTech startup?
- Clearly define the problem.
- Validate your prototype with users.
- Map out your regulatory pathway.
- Contact Novel-T for business support.
- Use the laboratories at the TechMed Centre and Saxion for testing.
- Build your network through placements and research projects at UT, Saxion and ROC van Twente.
- Collaborate with MST for clinical feedback.
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