The Dutch-French Innovation Pact
Join the Dutch–French Innovation Pact.
The Netherlands and France have joined forces in the Dutch-French Innovation Pact: a public–private partnership between governments and the business community.
Especially now – at a time when Europe faces mounting pressure from climate and geopolitical challenges, and technological developments accelerate rapidly – collaboration is key to moving faster from innovation to real‑world application.
The pact brings Dutch and French companies, knowledge institutions and societal organizations through working groups and meetings to explore cooperation and take concrete steps forward.
If your company, knowledge institution or societal organization is innovation‑driven and eager to collaborate within the Dutch–French ecosystem, we invite you to join the Dutch–French Innovation Pact.
What is the Dutch–French Innovation Pact?
The Dutch-French Innovation Pact is a bilateral agreement between the governments of the Netherlands and France, bundling arrangements on collaboration in the field of innovation. What makes it unique is that the employers’ organizations of both countries play a leading role: VNO‑NCW from the Netherlands and MEDEF from France.
The pact was signed on 12 April 2023, during the state visit of President Emmanuel Macron to the Netherlands and in the context of the annual government consultations. Central to the pact is accelerating public‑private cooperation in innovation and sustainability, and improving the alignment of investments and programs in both countries.
Why is this pact needed?
The challenges faced by the Netherlands and France do not stop at the border. That is precisely why cooperation is essential: to innovate faster, pool knowledge, and better align investments. The Innovation Pact provides a framework for turning shared ambitions into concrete action in sectors where urgency is high and international competition is strong.
Within the pact, the Netherlands and France cooperate on themes such as:
climate and the energy transition
breakthrough technologies including quantum, photonics and semiconductors
digitalization and strategic dependencies
food security
By working together, both countries can achieve greater scale and impact: avoiding duplication, strengthening each other, and moving more quickly from development to application. This is also relevant from a European perspective, where countries collaborate to strengthen their position in key technologies and reduce dependence on non‑European suppliers.
The pact therefore focuses on strengthening technological and industrial innovation and aligns with programs and initiatives such as the Dutch National Growth Fund, France 2030, and European developments (such as the European Chips Act). The focus includes key enabling technologies and major transitions—among them semiconductors, quantum, robotics, photonics, mobility, energy infrastructure and agricultural and food innovation.
How can you join?
The Innovation Pact is intended for companies, knowledge institutions and societal organizations active in innovation and new technologies, and who see opportunities for collaboration between the Netherlands and France.
Within the pact, you can join thematic working groups (such as key technologies, the energy transition, sustainable transport and agrotech/food) and take part in events and networking activities.
Companies can be referred and connected to relevant contacts through the working groups and involved organizations, depending on their ambition and project ideas.
Note: participation also requires your own commitment—in time, capacity and the willingness to actively contribute to collaboration.
Frequently asked questions
Who can participate in the Innovation Pact?
The pact is meant for companies, knowledge institutions and societal organizations that are innovation‑driven and work on new technologies or innovative applications. It helps to have a concrete ambition to collaborate within the Dutch–French ecosystem.
What can you expect when you participate?
You gain access to:
• working groups in your theme;
• onboarding and introduction (e.g. connection with the secretary/chair of a working group);
• networking events and sessions (such as pact events and thematic meetings);
• support in exploring collaboration opportunities and relevant contacts.
Will you be matched with French companies?
That is possible, but it depends on your goal. If you can clearly explain the type of collaboration you are seeking (for example with a specific partner or in a specific sector), the working groups and networks can help explore and, where possible, establish the right connections.
What is expected from you?
Participation is not without obligations. Companies are expected to:
• participate actively and contribute;
• allocate time from management/organizational capacity;
• show readiness to invest (time and possibly resources) to get a collaboration or project off the ground.