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€1 billion tech fund launched in major boost for Dutch startups

Organs-on-chips, recyclable wind turbine blades, and robotic farmers — these are just some of the technologies earmarked for funding under a new growth programme approved by the Dutch government last week.  NXTGEN HIGHTECH will invest €1 billion over the next seven years in an effort to make the Netherlands Europe’s leading high-tech cluster.  The programme is the initiative of prominent Dutch innovation accelerators including Holland High Tech, TNO, and FME, along with a number of universities and regional development agencies.  Most of the 260 participating companies are SMEs (190) and startups (70) that will use the funding to further develop… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/WzLZNDd

Dutch students unveil ‘world’s most efficient’ hydrogen car

At the beginning of May, a student team from Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands unveiled what could be the world’s most efficient hydrogen car.  Dubbed ERXII, the vehicle is slated to cover over 2,000km on just 1kg of hydrogen fuel — equivalent to the distance between Amsterdam and Kyiv. This claim will be tested in June at Shell’s Eco-Marathon event in France. Eco-Runner will go head-to-head with student teams from across Europe to break the world record for the longest distance driven on hydrogen without refuelling. This year the number to beat is 2,056km, set by a methanol… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/IBXwbKA

Spain’s Crowmie empowers everyone to invest in green energy

This profile is part of the main prize of the Pitch Battle at TNW Valencia 2023 won by Crowmie. Want your company to get featured as well? You’ve only got a few days to join the startup contest at TNW Conference in Amsterdam on June 15 & 16! Valencia’s hottest green-fintech startup is on a mission to break down the high barriers to investment in the energy sector and make it easy for everyone to fund renewable projects. Crowmie, which launched February last year, is jumping into the micro-investing space by allowing anyone with as little as €100 to spend… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/CRNpF4G

Biohack me, baby: Why I can’t wait for Teemu Arina’s talk at TNW Conference

Teemu Arina will be speaking at TNW Conference, which takes place on June 15 & 16 in Amsterdam. If you want to experience the event (and say hi to our editorial team!), we’ve got something special for our loyal readers. Use the promo code READ-TNW-25 and get a 25% discount on your business pass for TNW Conference. See you in Amsterdam! I often fantasise about biohacking my useless brain. At TNW Conference, my dreams could finally be fulfilled. On day two of the event, biohacker Teemu Arina will immerse attendees in the fascinating realm of human enhancement. Arina is one of the world’s leading… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/azuSDp3

Northvolt to build gigafactory in Germany after state aid pledge

Northvolt, Europe’s biggest battery maker, has confirmed that it will build its next gigafactory in Heide, Germany, following the federal government’s pledge to provide state aid. The announcement comes after several months of uncertainty. In March 2022, the Swedish manufacturer and the German state of Schleswig-Holstein signed a memorandum of understanding to construct a factory in the region. But in October 2022, Northvolt said it might postpone the plan and priotirise a US expansion instead — unless the EU was willing to match the IRA’s loftier subsidies for green technologies. In response, the German government has now confirmed it’ll fund… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/IsberRW

Fairphone unveils user-repairable wireless headphones

At a time when the electronics industry is constantly luring consumers into buying the latest and most advanced devices, Amsterdam-based Fairphone has made a name for itself by doing the exact opposite. Best known for its sustainably-made, modular, and repairable (DIY style) smartphones, the startup is now applying the same ethos to another product segment: headphones. The newly-launched Fairbuds XL are a pair of over-ear wireless headphones, priced at €249. Much like the company’s smartphones, they’re sold mainly in Europe, although some authorised resellers ship to other parts of the world as well. The Fairbuds XL come with a 30… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/WpBrV30

Browning bananas under threat as Philippines approves gene-edited version

Overripe bananas could soon become a mere memory — in the Philippines, at least. Tropic Biosciences, a startup in the UK, has tapped gene editing to banish the browning fruit — and mitigate the havoc that it’s wreaking. Currently, over 60% of exported bananas go to waste before reaching consumers. According to Tropic, the non-browning version could cut food waste and CO2 emissions in supply chains by over 25%.  In terms of CO2 reduction, the impact is comparable to taking 2m passenger vehicles off the road every year. For the Philippines, there’s a more urgent appeal. The country is the top producer… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/8HWz4Ts