Eindhoven and Rotterdam-based Immersive Experience Hubs join forces
High Tech Campus and Concrete Culture are joining forces with their IX hubs. Immersive experiences will profoundly impact everyone's lives in the coming years. This fast-evolving technology demands collaboration between the creative and tech industries. IX hubs 3REALITY, Koelhuis Eindhoven, and Katoenhuis Rotterdam will create an active partnership focusing on research, knowledge exchange, and talent development. This collaboration aims to enrich the national IX landscape and strengthen connections within the national and international IX community.
High Tech Campus Eindhoven has long been at the forefront of investing in emerging technology, developing initiatives such as the AI Innovation Center, and fostering an ecosystem of cutting-edge research and development. Its latest innovation hub for spatial computing, 3REALITY, serves as a hub for immersive technologies, such as VR and XR, emerging as frontrunners in research and development and applied technology usage.
Concrete Culture creates places where arts, culture, and technology are embedded permanently. Its initiative, Koelhuis Eindhoven, is an immersive technology hub that makes complex topics accessible through immersive experiences. It democratises access to immersive tech, bridging the cultural and tech scenes while providing the essential infrastructure for makers, talents, and producers to experiment, work, and present. Similarly, Katoenhuis and the IX community in Rotterdam and the province of South Holland form an essential network in the heart of Rotterdam’s Makers District and the innovative M4H area.
As the influence of immersive technology expands across industries and societies, collaborations among hubs like 3REALITY, Koelhuis, and Katoenhuis become increasingly crucial. This partnership starts with Koelhuis’ curatorial support at the High Tech Campus for art projects, alongside the development of debate programs, event calendars, and matchmaking between companies, talent, and investors in both Rotterdam and Eindhoven. Additionally, the Koelhuis District will offer significant affordable housing for creative and tech talent working within the hubs. Through shared resources, expertise, and networks, this collaboration between the Rotterdam and Eindhoven hubs aims to bridge the ecosystems of both regions. It actively seeks connections with other national and international hubs to accelerate the growth and innovation of IX communities.
“Embracing the future means investing in technologies that others might only dream of a decade from now. Just as we pioneered AI early on, the emergence of Spatial Web Hub 3REALITY and collaboration with Immersive Experience Hubs like Koelhuis and Katoenhuis reaffirm our commitment to staying ahead. That's why this partnership is so important.”
Paul van Son
Innovation Manager at High Tech Campus Eindhoven
Initiator of the AI Innovation Center
“To tackle societal challenges, at Koelhuis and Katoenhuis, we strongly believe in the importance of combining the creative and tech industries. Nowadays, we witness the convergence of both realms within the immersive experience sector. With the large tech ecosystem around R&D and applied usage at High Tech Campus Eindhoven, this collaboration serves as a bridge, bridging the gap between art, culture, and technology.”
Arnold van de Water
Director Concrete Culture
Initiator Koelhuis Eindhoven and Katoenhuis Rotterdam
