Councillor Stijn Steenbakkers (Brainport and Economy): The purchase of the Brainport Industries Campus is not only a historic milestone for our city, but also a unique action in the country. We must handle our vital economic infrastructure more self-confidently. With the purchase, we show decisiveness and take a step forward as a government to preserve and further strengthen the prosperity and well-being of our children and grandchildren. A good and healthy mix of large companies, educational institutions, start-ups, and SMEs is crucial in this. The Brainport Industries Campus brings us the future, where technology and innovation are central. Together with Capreon as asset manager, the tenants, and all other partners, we will continue to build on the unique strength of BIC. We are not done yet, and I am looking forward to continuing to make an impact together.

Building on the Brainport Industries Campus

In January, the council of Mayor and Aldermen announced the proposed purchase of the Brainport Industries Campus together with Capreon, as the representative of the former owners. This decision was supported by a large majority in the Eindhoven city council in February. With the purchase, the municipality of Eindhoven becomes the owner of the existing campus building BIC 1 of about 105,000 m2, the surrounding public space, and the parking garage.

The ownership of BIC 1 offers the municipality the opportunity to:

• Take the BIC concept to the next level and thus manage the development of the entire Brainport Industries Campus even better.
• Secure the public functions, such as education, on the campus more firmly.
• Better protect the unique economic infrastructure and strategic autonomy.
• Continue building the innovation ecosystem in Brainport Eindhoven.
• Invest in a financially solid business case where the additional revenues can benefit the city and be used more broadly.

Ensuring continuity 

With the purchase, the contracts of more than 40 existing tenants and the collaborating parties in BIC 1 have also been taken over. To ensure continuity for them and retain knowledge about the building, it has been agreed that Capreon will remain involved and will carry out asset management for BIC 1 for the next 3 and possibly 5 years. This includes, among other things: the coordination of the management and maintenance of the building and communication with and execution of contracts with tenants and partners.

The next step is to appoint temporary directors for the companies involved in the purchase. In the coming period, the municipality will work on the final structure and explore whether other public and/or private parties with comparable interests can participate in BIC, in order to safeguard and further strengthen the innovation ecosystem of Brainport Eindhoven.

Raphael Noé (CEO Capreon): It has been a pleasure working with the Municipality on this transaction and we look forward to continuing to build our partnership. Capreon are exceptionally proud of what we have achieved thus far at the Brainport Industries Campus. It’s now an institutional, prime, well diversified and stable asset which sits at the forefront of real estate, and particularly at the heart of the Brabant region and local community. Handing over BIC into local and governmental hands where it belongs, is something we do with great pride and anticipation. We look forward to working with the municipality of Eindhoven hand in hand on BIC over the next 3-5 years, and continuing to deliver on its mission to becoming the premier hub for innovation, collaboration and excellence in the high-tech manufacturing industry.

Brainport Industries Campus

The Brainport Industries Campus is one of the high-tech and innovation campuses in Brainport Eindhoven. A breeding ground for the high-tech manufacturing industry, where the jobs of tomorrow are created. At BIC, entrepreneurship, top technology, and education come together under one roof and innovations are developed for societal challenges in the areas of sustainability, mobility, energy, and healthcare. The entire campus area is undergoing significant development. The existing campus building BIC 1 is almost fully occupied with around 2000 jobs and over 500 students daily. The next step is the realization of BIC 2, which at 225,000 m2 is more than twice the size of BIC 1. And in the northern part of the Brainport Industries Campus, the possible expansion of ASML is planned with thousands of jobs. The Brainport Industries Campus is crucial for the (future) earning capacity of the city, the Brainport region, and the Netherlands.