Energizing Europe Together: BRYCK’s Innovation Tour to the Netherlands

Last week, BRYCK sent two teams on a mission across the Netherlands — each exploring how cross-border partnerships and ecosystem collaboration can fuel Europe’s clean energy future. While Team Rotterdam attended the World Hydrogen Summit in support of our partner H2UB, Team Arnhem took part in the European New Power Summit, hosted by innovation catalyst Connectr.

The trip wasn’t just about attending events. It was about deepening partnerships, exploring international energy ecosystems, and positioning BRYCK as a connector and enabler of innovation across Europe.

Team Arnhem: Exploring Flexibility, Regulation & Collaboration

Together with Business Metropole Ruhr and Unigy, Larissa Gajewski (Startup Program Manager), Tobias Grün (Executive Board), and Salvatore Cavallaro (Startup Program Manager) formed the BRYCK delegation to Arnhem, where they experienced firsthand how the Dutch region is building a collaborative and open ecosystem for energy innovation. Hosted by Connectr, they toured the innovation campus, met with startups, and engaged in rich discussions around the future of energy networks.

One of the central themes: grid flexibility in the face of increasing renewable energy integration. As Larissa noted:

“Flexibility in the grid, especially with the growth of renewable energy, is a widely discussed issue that we are trying to smooth out. The fear of blackouts is huge.”

This complexity sparked broader reflection among experts: Shouldn’t we not only aim for more adaptable infrastructure but also adopt more flexible behaviors as energy users?

Another highlight was the keynote by Fabian Siegel, addressing the role of smart governance:

“So often, regulation is criticized. But Fabian Siegel explained how smart regulation can help make Europe’s economy more successful by creating a level playing field,” Larissa said.

Cybersecurity was another recurring topic — especially as energy systems become more digital and interdependent.

Larissa was also impressed by the openness of Connectr’s model:

“They are a role model in openness toward partnerships and sharing a vision: Together, we achieve more than alone.”

The space invites connection — from large energy corporates to young startups and 40,000 students at HAN University — all under one roof, literally and figuratively. A true ecosystem by design.

Salvatore added his impressions:

“The most interesting session for me was on critical materials, led by a program manager from the European Commission. The evening event in the old high-voltage testing facility created a very cool, industrial atmosphere — with AI discussions, startup pitches, and electronic music.”

Team Rotterdam: Scaling Hydrogen Innovation at a Global Stage

Julian Wessing (Senior Startup Program Manager) and Julian Wegst (Startup Program Manager) represented BRYCK at the World Hydrogen Summit & Exhibition 2025 in Rotterdam, a global hotspot for green hydrogen innovation. Together with our partner H2UB, they supported five startups from the SPRINT program: Supercritical, Revcoo, NextHeat, Hydrologiq, and ReCatalyst.

At the main summit at Ahoy Center, BRYCK facilitated meaningful engagement between startups and corporates, reinforcing hydrogen’s role as a key lever in Europe’s decarbonization roadmap.

In the afternoon, the team co-led the Superconnector event at KINO Rotterdam, helping founders articulate their needs and connect with investors, customers, and strategic partners.

“The atmosphere was focused and high-quality. Tangible outcomes were generated — these weren’t just conversations, they were the start of collaborations,” Julian Wessing shared after the event.

Additional activities included Ecosystem Day, a networking dinner with startups, and a visit to the Upstream Festival location, where the team got a taste of the vibrant Dutch startup scene.

BRYCK x Connectr: A Strategic Cross-Border Partnership

BRYCK x Connectr: A Strategic Cross-Border Partnership for Startup-Driven Innovation

A key milestone during our trip was the announcement of a strategic partnership between BRYCK and Connectr — a collaboration designed to accelerate the European energy transition through startup-driven innovation. At the heart of this partnership lies a shared mission: to identify, support, and scale early-stage climate and energy ventures by combining the strengths of two leading ecosystems.

On one side, Connectr provides a unique innovation campus in Arnhem — where startups, corporates, and academic institutions like HAN University collaborate closely in a real-world test and learning environment. With access to pilot infrastructure, mentorship, and R&D partners, the Connectr model enables startups to experiment, validate, and grow.

On the other side, BRYCK brings acceleration power: with dedicated programs like SPRINT, a strong founder-centric methodology, and deep access to the German market, industry, and investor landscape. Together, the two hubs will enable startups to scale more quickly across borders, tapping into funding, testbeds, and networks in both countries.This partnership doesn’t just create opportunity for individual founders — it builds a cross-border launchpad for early-stage solutions that address Europe’s most urgent energy challenges.

As described in Niederlande Nachrichten:

“The alliance with partners like BRYCK shows how the combination of German innovation and Dutch courage for pilot projects is bearing fruit.”

By aligning their ecosystems, BRYCK and Connectr are creating a joint foundation for energy innovation that is practical, scalable, and deeply European. Read more.

Conclusion: A European Energy Future, Built Together

From the hydrogen corridors of Rotterdam to the smart energy campus of Arnhem, BRYCK’s teams returned home with one shared insight: Innovation doesn’t stop at national borders. It thrives when ecosystems connect — and when startups, institutions, and governments come together with a common purpose. At BRYCK, we’re proud to help energize Europe by driving partnerships, building bridges, and supporting the innovators who will shape tomorrow’s energy system. Get in touch, to start your co-innocation journey now! Let’s keep building. Together.