<p><strong>The Einstein Telescope may still be years away from construction, but for innovative companies, the time to get involved is now. Developing one of Europe's most advanced research infrastructures requires technologies that are still evolving, new collaborations across borders and industries, and an innovation ecosystem that is thriving before the first shovel hits the ground.</strong></p><p>That is why the Interreg-funded project COMET (CoMaking the Einstein Telescope) is already helping SMEs collaborate on the innovations needed for one of Europe's most ambitious scientific projects. In this interview, we meet Freek Boesten, Business Developer at LIOF, the regional development agency of Limburg and one of the partners in COMET. He explains why companies should not wait until construction starts, and how scientific ambition can become a driver for economic growth and regional competitiveness. "Innovation does not stop at national borders, and neither should collaboration."&nbsp;</p><h2>Collaborative innovation</h2><p>As a Business Developer at LIOF, Boesten focuses on connecting innovative companies, knowledge institutions and governments around strategic technologies. Within COMET, his role is to help businesses translate promising ideas into collaborative innovation projects. "We believe that major scientific infrastructures can also become powerful economic drivers by stimulating innovation, creating new business opportunities and strengthening regional competitiveness. COMET is an excellent example of how we can translate scientific ambition into concrete collaboration with industry," he says.</p><blockquote><p>We believe that major scientific infrastructures can also become powerful economic drivers by stimulating innovation, creating new business opportunities and strengthening regional competitiveness.</p></blockquote><p>Together with German partners, LIOF identifies companies with relevant expertise, and facilitates matchmaking. The ultimate goal is to lower the barriers for collaboration and ensure companies can contribute to the technologies needed for the Einstein Telescope.</p><h2>Why companies should get involved now&nbsp;</h2><p>The Dutch-Belgian-German border region is one of the three candidate locations for the Einstein Telescope, alongside Sardinia and the German state of Saxony. Europe will decide in 2027 where the research facility will ultimately be built. According to Boesten, however, that is no reason to wait. &nbsp;</p><p>"Many of the technologies required for the Einstein Telescope still need to be developed, validated and prepared for industrial application", Boesten explains. "We cannot wait until final site decisions have been made. Building the innovation ecosystem, strengthening cross-border collaboration and involving industry at an early stage are essential to reduce technical risks and ensure Europe is ready to deliver such a complex scientific infrastructure successfully."</p><p>COMET therefore brings together companies, researchers and innovation organisations long before construction begins. This enables businesses to build expertise, develop new technologies, establish international partnerships and position themselves for future market opportunities related to the Einstein Telescope and beyond.</p><h2>Increase the likelihood of reaching the market</h2><p>For Boesten, COMET is about much more than individual projects. Its real value lies in creating an ecosystem where businesses, researchers and innovation organizations continuously find new ways to collaborate. "Success is not only measured by the number of funded projects, but also by new relationships between companies and knowledge institutions that would otherwise never have met."</p><p>Those new connections can open doors to high-tech sectors such as quantum technology, semiconductors, aerospace and advanced manufacturing. Even companies that never become direct suppliers to the Einstein Telescope may discover new markets, technologies and international partnerships through COMET.&nbsp;</p><blockquote><p>This mutual learning significantly accelerates innovation and increases the likelihood that new technologies can eventually reach the market.</p></blockquote><p>"COMET creates an environment where new ideas can emerge and mature more quickly. Companies also gain valuable insights into future technological challenges, while researchers better understand industrial capabilities. This mutual learning significantly accelerates innovation and increases the likelihood that new technologies can eventually reach the market," he says.</p><h2>Investments in scientific infrastructures matter &nbsp;</h2><p>History has shown that technologies developed for scientific research often find applications in completely different sectors. The same is true for the Einstein Telescope. Advances in ultra-precision manufacturing, sensing, data processing, cryogenics and vacuum technology can strengthen industries such as semiconductors, quantum technology, aerospace, healthcare and advanced manufacturing.</p><p>For Boesten, this illustrates why investments in scientific infrastructures matter. They do not only enable groundbreaking discoveries but also create new products, jobs and economic opportunities that strengthen Europe's technological competitiveness. The Einstein Telescope may be designed to explore the universe, but through initiatives like COMET, it is already helping to shape the future of innovation much closer to home.</p>

Freek Boesten (LIOF): "This mutual learning process increases the likelihood that new technologies can eventually reach the market."