Oce in Venlo. Let's steal the idea and do it in the States.

A subsidy of over 18 million euro has been allocated to the PrintValley consortium.

Océ will receive a total amount of 14 million euro for the knowledge specialists arrangement and the High Tech Top Project Allocation.

In Venlo they have a tradition that allows the government to support industrial R&D. In the States, we don't. That has advantages and disadvantages.

My bet is that we could do a similar thing if PARC, FXPAL, iCandy and the other R&D in the States figured out a way to sell certificates called "MA" or "PhD" in "communication ecology."

To be clear, there is nothing wrong in my mind with selling certs, as long as they are priced appropriately. The going forward opportunity is that price of certs in the States is unsustainable. The "mammals are already starting to circle the dinosaurs" or the "sharks are in the water" or "money is on the prowl" or whichever cliche works for you.

Venlo, The Netherlands -- from Press Release

Some 40 companies in the high tech sector, including 22 medium-sized to small companies and 11 knowledge institutes, have been granted a subsidy of 100 million euro within the High Tech Top Project Allocation for five strategic activities related to research and development (R&D).

PrintValley brings 23 companies together
Océ has taken the initiative to bring together a consortium of 23 knowledge institutes, universities, medium-sized and small companies as well as multinationals to work on advanced digital printing applications. Océ will reinforce the development of of new printing platforms based on advanced inkjet technology within these joint R&D projects. Companies cooperating in PrintValley are developing and evaluating the printing of monitors, solar cells, packaging and security tags. Approximately 180 researchers are working within PrintValley, including 80 Océ staff. A subsidy of over 18 million euro has been allocated to the PrintValley consortium.

Announced on Wednesday of last week, these projects enable companies to retain their innovative culture and knowledgeable talent. The projects focus on research in areas where The Netherlands already holds a distinctive international position. PrintValley is one of those earmarked for subsidy.

"We strive to support the hightech industry through the arrangement for knowledge specialists and our commitment to the High Tech Top Project Allocation," said Van der Hoeven.

Océ will receive a total amount of 14 million euro for the knowledge specialists arrangement and the High Tech Top Project Allocation.

"A step in the right direction"
"The arrangement for knowledge specialists and the subsidy for the hightech sector is a healthy step in the right direction," said Rokus van Iperen, chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Océ. "We avoid slowing the pace in turbulent economic conditions and are able to focus on innovative digital printing technologies capable of reaching relevant mass markets. The partnership between these hightech companies, universities and knowledge institutes in these projects is of the utmost importance in order to find innovative solutions for end-applications and where print technology can make a telling contribution."

Clustering the business community, government and knowledge institutes is the best guarantee for success
Océ is a leading player in digital printingtechnologies. Alongside PrintValley -- focused on industrial applications of digital printing -- the company is working on the development of new document services in a consortium known as Document Services Valley. Océ is partnering with key players from the business community and knowledge institutes to develop new products and services on a European basis. Océ is convinced that clustering the business community, government and knowledge institutes is the best guarantee for success.

Océ has been nurturing R&D activities for some time with partners from within the business community, knowledge institutes and universities. This is increasingly resulting in strategic alliances in which open innovation is the key word in developing new technologies. This approach has been structurally embedded in the Océ R&D strategy. A good example is Océ CrystalPoint technology, being developed for new applications in the Inkjet Application Center at the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven.

The PrintValley consortium
PrintValley is a consortium of 23 companies and knowledge institutes comprising:
Océ, Stork Prints, DSM Neoresins, Philips Apptech, NXP, Joh. Enschede, NTS, Demcon, Sioux, OTB Solar, OLED Technologies, Bruco, Mechatronic Partners, Validus Technologies, Liquavista, InnoPhysics, Beltech, CCM, Reden, Kriya Materials, TNO, TU/Delft, TU/Eindhoven.