The Municipality of Helmond and the Province of North Brabant intend to each acquire a stake of 50% from Bouwbedrijf van de Ven, located in Veghel, in Automotive Campus. This will give them joint ownership and control of the campus organization, its land, and real estate assets. In February this year, the parties involved announced their intention to reach an agreement. They have now successfully done so, enabling the municipality and province to assume public leadership in the further development of the campus.

This move will strengthen innovation, support employment, and reinforce Helmond’s position within the Brainport region. By taking this step, the partners are making a long-term commitment to preserving and enhancing knowledge, jobs, and opportunities for both Helmond and the wider region.

The municipality and province have drawn up a cooperation agreement and developed a business plan covering the seven buildings located on approximately 4.5 hectares of the campus. The plan outlines the investments and actions needed to further develop the campus in the years ahead. It also provides the campus organization with a clear mandate from its future shareholders.

Automotive Campus is a strategic asset for both Helmond and the Province of North Brabant. It brings together businesses, educational institutions, and research organizations to develop the mobility and energy solutions of tomorrow.

The campus is a place where ideas are conceived, developed, tested, refined, and ultimately brought to market. As a result, Helmond is not only a place where innovation is imagined, but also where innovation becomes reality.

“With this campus, we are leading the way, and stakeholders from across the region, the Netherlands, and Europe are watching with great interest,” said Helmond Alderman Arno Bonte Manders. “We want to place even greater emphasis on innovation and strengthen the connection with education. By doing so, we expect to attract more start-ups and growing companies.”

The campus not only attracts companies; it also educates students and creates employment opportunities. This makes Automotive Campus an important driver of economic growth for both Helmond and the wider Brainport region.

Start-ups, established companies, researchers, and students work side by side on the campus. They come from the region, elsewhere in the Netherlands, and from around the world. Together, they develop new products and applications in the fields of mobility, energy, and technology.

Helmond is growing not only in population and housing, but also in jobs, knowledge, and opportunities. The campus creates prospects close to home for young people, entrepreneurs, and skilled professionals.

“Automotive Campus is truly one of Helmond’s jewels, but it remains somewhat of a hidden gem,” said Stijn Smeulders, Member of the Provincial Executive of North Brabant and a resident of Helmond. “Unless you work or study there, chances are you have never visited. That is unfortunate, because it is a nationally leading innovation facility that we, as public authorities, want to help grow further. How exciting would it be if a breakthrough innovation that will eventually be found in every vehicle were developed right here in Helmond?”

“Acquiring the campus is an investment that will generate long-term returns. It could also provide the catalyst for developing the remaining land on the campus that is already publicly owned.”

By taking the lead now, the municipality and province are connecting the campus to the broader development of Helmond and the region: creating more jobs, enhancing local amenities, and providing room for businesses that contribute to the future of Helmond, the Brainport region, and North Brabant.

At the same time, the partners are safeguarding the public interest by creating space for innovation and providing opportunities for start-up and scale-up companies to establish and grow. In doing so, the campus contributes to the long-term prosperity and well-being of all residents.

Equally important is the issue of strategic autonomy. Automotive Campus is home to the development of future mobility and energy systems. Maintaining independent control over these critical technologies is not only important for the region and province, but is also attracting national and international attention.

This approach helps ensure that ownership and control of this strategic innovation ecosystem remain in public hands and are not transferred to foreign interests.

The final decision now rests with the newly elected Municipal Council of Helmond and the Provincial Council of North Brabant.

In September and October, both councils will decide whether to make the necessary funding available for the acquisition of the 50% shareholdings. If approved, the transfer of shares is expected to take place shortly thereafter.