Meet the Network: Adriaan van der Giessen, Municipality of Rotterdam

The Life Sciences & Health ecosystem within the Rotterdam region is a dynamic network of companies, service providers, educational institutes, healthcare providers, and more, working together to innovate in healthcare. As Rotterdam Square, we would like you to get to know this network. This time we introduce to you Adriaan van der Giessen, Project Manager Life Sciences and Health within the Municipality of Rotterdam.

Could you please introduce yourself?

My name is Adriaan van der Giessen, since eight years a civil servant for the city of Rotterdam. For me it is important to make valuable contribution to the development of the city and especially of entrepreneurs in work. My career started at the department of economics at the city with a focus on the agrifood sector. 2,5 years ago I switched to the Life Sciences and Health sector, where I witnessed the establishment of Rotterdam Square. In my role as project manager Life Sciences and Health, I am working on further developing the Life Sciences and Health ecosystem in the city.

What is your role within the Municipality of Rotterdam?

From the economics department, I work with colleagues to strengthen entrepreneurship in the city of today and in the future. We work on various themes and sectors to develop a futureproof and resilient economy. For Rotterdam, the Life Sciences and Health is an important economic cluster for which we see a lot of growth potential. That is why we support the redevelopment of the Erasmus MC Campus, in which entrepreneurship will play a major role in the future. In this redevelopment I am not only working together with Erasmus MC but also with many of my colleagues from other disciplines such as area development, urban planning, and mobility. Where campus development has a long-term horizon, we simultaneously look at other locations in the city to create Life Sciences and Health communities for startups.

With what role is the Municipality of Rotterdam involved in strengthening the Rotterdam Life Sciences & Health ecosystem?

Rotterdam Square and the Municipality of Rotterdam are well-coordinated when it comes to strengthening the Life Sciences and Health ecosystem. With the establishment of Rotterdam Square, the activities of the municipality under the former brand LSH010, have been transferred. For the municipality, Rotterdam Square is an important organisation that will further expand the ecosystem, attract new companies and put Rotterdam on the map as a Smart Health Tech cluster. Because this strengthens the city’s economy, we also contribute to this with subsidies. Together with Rotterdam Square and Erasmus MC, we coordinate the strategy, campus development in the short and long term, trade missions, conferences and programmes for entrepreneurs. I look forward to the coming years because many great developments for entrepreneurs are coming!

Date: November 13, 2024