TNO
TNO: Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research TNO
The operational organisation with the various staff services can be found here. TNO is also present in Brussels.
Knowledge centres
TNO has established, together with universities, some 30 knowledge centres to develop knowledge in carefully selected fields. These knowledge centres function as innovation centres. It is not only universities but also companies that participate with TNO in knowledge centres.
Participations
TNO customers tend, for the most part, to commercialise the knowledge developed for them by TNO. However, TNO also commercialises knowledge where the market is yet in its infancy and thus might remain unexploited. In such cases TNO sets up a company under the auspices of TNO Companies to get that knowledge to the marketplace
In 2010 the total consolidated income fell by 4 million euros to 564 million euros (see table 1), a third of which - 195 million euros - was government funding for the purpose of developing new knowledge. Of this, 27 million euros was available for ‘knowledge as cross-theme capacity’ or knowledge development not directly linked to demand from society or government. The government-wide distribution of knowledge development via demand-driven programmes is shown in chart 2.
Market income
Market income of 369 million euros includes 300 million euros from contract assignments in the five core areas: this knowledge application is based on the distinctive position built up by the core areas within the twelve themes via the aforementioned demand-driven research (knowledge development). Chart 3 reveals the distribution across Dutch industry (39 per cent), International (35 per cent) and Dutch government (26 per cent).
Commercialisation of knowledge
The remaining market income of 78 million euros derives from the knowledge exploitation of the 46 or so companies within TNO Companies B.V.. This is the consolidated income of the Group companies in which TNO still has a holding of more than 50 per cent. There are also 40 companies that have developed so strongly that TNO now has a minority shareholding. This knowledge exploitation receives no government funding and is therefore incorporated in a separate private limited liability structure (B.V.). These companies tend to emerge as ‘spin-offs’ or ‘spin-outs’ from the activities within the five core areas.
Our employees
For a research organisation, employees are crucial, which is why TNO constantly invests in talent development, management development and recruitment strategy. Of the more than 4,100 employees, almost 700 work at TNO Companies BV and 61 employees are engaged outside of the Netherlands.
The TNO mission is: TNO connects people and knowledge to create innovations that boost the sustainable competitive strength of industry and well-being of society.
TNO is an independent research organisation whose expertise and research make an important contribution to the competitiveness of companies and organisations, to the economy and to the quality of society as a whole. TNO’s unique position is attributable to its versatility and capacity to integrate this knowledge.
Innovation with purpose is what TNO stands for. We develop knowledge not for its own sake but for practical application. To create new products that make life more pleasant and valuable and help companies innovate. To find creative answers to the questions posed by society.
For industry and government
We work for a variety of customers: governments, the SME sector, large companies, service providers and non-governmental organisations. Working together on new knowledge, better products and clear recommendations for policy and processes. As ‘knowledge brokers’ we advise our customers, moreover, on finding the optimum solutions that are geared precisely to the questions they have.
Research is about the result
In everything we do, impact is the key. Our product and process innovations and recommendations are only worth something if our customers can use them to boost their competitiveness. If the government can create more effective policy. And if it really helps people and organisations.
- Country of Origin
- Netherlands
- Website
- http://www.tno.nl
- Type of Institution
- Not for Profit
- Member since
- 2012
- Address
- Schoemakerstraat 97 (Building A)
- Postal Code
- NL-2628 VK
- Place
- Delft
- Country
- Netherlands