Integrating Maker Skills in Innovation Ecosystems
Safari: R&D roadshow
A VIP bus experience connecting creatives with hidden R&D worlds inside innovative companies
Overview
What has been done
The Safari was a one-day VIP roadshow connecting makers, tinkerers, creatives and tech enthusiasts with the R&D departments of innovative SMEs in Limburg. Participants visited six pioneering companies in circular construction and building technologies, gaining exclusive behind-the-scenes access guided by CEOs and innovation managers. By travelling together throughout the day - during bus rides, company visits, lunch and networking moments - participants continuously exchanged ideas, knowledge and contacts. The Safari showcased the often-overlooked innovation potential of creative communities and strengthened cross-sector collaboration within Limburg’s innovation ecosystem.
Why was it needed locally
The pilot addressed the gap between creative maker communities and industrial innovation ecosystems in Limburg. Many self-taught innovators, garage entrepreneurs and creative problem-solvers possess valuable transversal and practical innovation skills, yet their expertise often remains invisible and disconnected from formal R&D environments. The Safari aimed to unlock this hidden potential by creating direct encounters between creatives and companies facing technological and sustainability challenges. At the same time, the initiative strengthened regional collaboration and encouraged practical knowledge exchange.
Target Groups: How were they activated and their benefits
Creative SME – Makers & creative entrepreneurs
Activation: A targeted social media campaign was launched through the x-Inno Radar and partner channels. In addition, personal invitations were sent to members of CLIP (Creative Limburg Innovation Platform) and relevant contacts from the organisers’ creative and entrepreneurial networks.
Benefit: Participants gained exclusive access to innovative industrial environments, where they exchanged ideas directly with CEOs, innovation managers and fellow creatives. The Safari expanded their professional networks, inspired new collaborations and opened opportunities for future co-creation and paid assignments.
-
Inspiration through exclusive guided tours inside innovative companies led by CEOs
-
Direct access to industrial environments where their talents can create real impact
-
A high-visibility platform to network and pitch during bus rides, breaks and informal moments
-
Opportunities for co-creation, future collaborations and potential paid assignments
-
Cross-sector interaction broadened their professional network, perspectives and career opportunities
Industrial / technological SME – Innovative companies in the construction supply chain
Activation: Companies were identified through intensive scouting within Limburg’s industrial ecosystem. The organisers conducted personal visits and interviews with company leaders to explain the Safari concept, discuss mutual benefits and build trust-based participation.
Benefit: Companies benefited from direct interaction with creative makers and innovators who brought fresh perspectives to technological and sustainability challenges. The Safari also strengthened their visibility, expanded their networks and created opportunities for future collaborations, talent scouting and open innovation partnerships.
-
Direct interaction with creatives offering fresh perspectives and unconventional approaches
-
Increased visibility as innovative employers and pioneers in construction and building technologies
-
Opportunities to explore future collaborations, talent scouting and open innovation partnerships
-
Valuable networking with participants from different sectors and backgrounds
University / college – University College PXL Hasselt
Activation: The partnership was initiated through personal meetings and direct dialogue with the department leadership. The collaboration evolved as a two-way process, with both the university college and the Safari programme contributing valuable contacts, expertise and opportunities.
Benefit: PXL gained valuable insights into current industrial innovation challenges and strengthened connections between education, industry and creative entrepreneurs. The Safari also offered exclusive access to innovative companies and potential opportunities for future collaboration and applied research.
-
Involvement of the Head of PXL Construction & Industry in a highly innovative regional initiative
-
Exclusive behind-the-scenes access to leading companies in the construction and manufacturing sector
-
Opportunities to establish new contacts between education, industry and creative entrepreneurs
Economic development agency – POM Limburg: Provinciale OntwikkelingsMaatschappij Limburg
Activation: POM Limburg was approached through direct personal invitations and strategic discussions about the regional relevance of the Safari format. Their involvement aligned with broader ambitions around industrial transition, innovation support and regional economic development.
Benefit: POM Limburg strengthened connections between creative industries, innovative SMEs and regional innovation actors. The Safari also provided insights into new forms of cross-sector collaboration and reinforced Limburg’s visibility as an innovative and future-oriented region.
-
Insights into new methods for stimulating cross-sector collaboration and innovation capacity
-
Opportunities to identify future pilot collaborations and support emerging innovation networks
Resources Required
Staff
complementary team of 2–4 staff members: project manager with strong organisational skills, a community manager and practical event support staff
Space
VIP coach/bus for ±30 people (including staff/speakers), networking/lunch location and parking and access coordination at companies
Equipment
Name badges, beamer & screen (if necessary for presentations on site), photography/video equipment
Budget
Medium: 2-10,000 €
Budget of 3.000 euro covering VIP bus transport, water/snacks, catering & lunch, communication & design, photography/video, badges, print & materials
Methods & Steps
Core Mechanism
Formats applied
Field trip / study tour:
This VIP bus tour format was used to connect hidden creative competences with innovative companies and R&D departments in Limburg. Participants visited inspiring innovation sites while engaging in informal networking and peer learning throughout the day. The action specifically explored how skills such as improvisation, explorative learning, low-budget problem solving and collaborative thinking can strengthen regional innovation ecosystems.
Methods used: Keynote presentation: A keynote presentation helped frame the overall theme of the safari and align participants around a shared innovation vision. It also introduced new developments and trends, such as robotics, innovation labs and emerging technologies, creating a common starting point for discussion during the rest of the day.Informal encounters on the bus: The transport moments between the different sites created spontaneous networking opportunities. Because participants continuously changed seats and conversation partners, the bus itself became an informal networking environment where new connections, collaborations and exchanges of expertise naturally emerged.
Network lunch & drink: The networking lunch & drink provided participants with additional time to deepen conversations initiated earlier in the day. It encouraged participants to connect with people they had not yet spoken to and allowed for more reflective discussions about possible collaborations and shared challenges.
Site visits: The site visits offered direct exposure to real-life innovation environments and R&D practices within companies and organisations. By involving CEOs, innovation managers and experts, participants gained practical insights, inspiration and concrete examples of how innovation is approached.
Steps taken
Define the innovation domain and select companies
9–6 months prior to the event
- Mapping innovative sectors and companies: Identify promising innovation domains and innovative companies in the region based on regional economic data, sector analyses and stakeholder insights.
- Personal meetings with CEOs and innovation managers: Organise meetings with shortlisted companies to discuss objectives, visit content, practical arrangements and mutual expectations.
- Building a database of creatives and makers: Map makers, tinkerers, autodidacts, nerds, techies and other creative profiles connected to the selected innovation theme.
- Involving local stakeholders: Engage local organisations, networks and ecosystem partners to strengthen outreach, credibility and participant recruitment.
Organisation and planning of study tour
6–3 months prior to the event
- Booking the VIP bus: Arrange comfortable group transportation that also functions as a networking and interaction space between site visits.
- Organising catering and hospitality: Make agreements with catering partners for coffee breaks, lunch and networking drinks throughout the event.
- Planning the participant journey: Develop the detailed event programme, including timing, logistics, travel durations and transitions between locations.
- Aligning content and expectations: Prepare speakers, CEOs and innovation managers regarding the audience, timing, presentations and objectives of the site visits.
- Preparing event materials: Prepare badges, presentation materials, information sheets, refreshments and all practical materials needed during the safari.
Invite participants
2 months – 1 week prior to the event
- Invitation campaign: engaging and exclusive communication: Send a clear and attractive invitation explaining the concept, programme and unique opportunity to gain behind-the-scenes access to leading innovative companies. Highlight networking opportunities and the limited number of seats available.
- Activating stakeholder networks: Inform partners and ecosystem stakeholders and invite relevant participants through their own communication channels.
- Final participant engagement: Send practical reminder messages shortly before the event to confirm attendance and maintain excitement.
Execution of study tour
1 full day
- Registration and informal onboarding: Welcome participants with badges, coffee and breakfast in an informal atmosphere.
- Bus transfers between site visits: Informal networking and reflection: transport participants to the next site while encouraging spontaneous conversations and introductions.
- Keynote presentation: Innovation trends in the Limburg construction sector: opening keynote by Ir. Chris Leinders and Ruben Braeken about the impact of innovation within the regional construction industry.
- Site visits: experiencing innovation in practice: The site visits formed the core of the innovation safari by giving participants exclusive behind-the-scenes access to innovative companies, R&D departments and maker environments. Through presentations, demonstrations and guided tours by CEOs, innovation managers and experts, participants gained inspiration from real-life innovation cases, discovered new technologies and working methods, and explored opportunities for future collaboration.
Results
Measurable and Direct Outcomes
The local action brought about the following concrete results:
- Business models: The innovation safari proved to be a simple and highly transferable format that can easily be replicated in other regions and sectors. The combination of company visits, shared transport and informal networking requires limited resources while generating significant engagement and learning opportunities.
- Stakeholder awareness / network extensions: Participants expanded their professional networks through repeated interactions throughout the day. The combination of site visits, shared bus transport and networking moments created meaningful conversations between creatives, makers, CEOs and innovation managers who would otherwise rarely meet.
- New / enhanced cooperation: Participants discovered innovative companies, technologies and R&D activities that were sometimes unknown to them beforehand. The safari increased awareness of the innovation capacity present within the region and revealed new opportunities for collaboration, inspiration and business development.
Indirect Impacts
Beyond the direct networking outcomes, the pilot contributed to strengthening connections between the creative community and the regional innovation ecosystem. Participants developed a better understanding of how creative soft skills such as experimentation, improvisation and problem-solving can support innovation within companies. The action also helped break down stereotypes between different professional groups by creating direct and informal encounters. Furthermore, the participating compani
Local Outlook / Follow-up
- Organise future innovation roadshows: Building on the success of the pilot, similar innovation safaris can be organised around other sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, energy, circular economy or digital technologies. The format can easily be adapted to different innovation themes.
- Create follow-up matchmaking activities: The connections made during the safari can be strengthened through dedicated follow-up sessions, networking events or collaborative workshops where participants further explore project ideas.
- Integrate the format into regional innovation support programmes: Innovation agencies, business support organisations and ecosystem partners could adopt the safari as a practical tool to stimulate cross-sector collaboration and soft skill development.
Evaluation
Satisfaction - Overview
The pilot strengthened connections between creatives, makers and the regional innovation ecosystem. Participants gained a better understanding of how soft skills such as experimentation, improvisation and problem-solving can support innovation in companies. The informal encounters reduced barriers between different professional groups, increased awareness of local innovation potential and stimulated interest in future collaborations, projects and networking initiatives.
Satisfaction - Details
- High appreciation of regional innovation potential: Many participants expressed surprise at the concentration of innovative companies within a relatively small geographical area.
- Inspiration triggered new ideas: Participants reported that the visits stimulated creativity and generated new ideas for their own projects and businesses.
- Appreciation of the informal networking format: Feedback consistently highlighted the value of spending an entire day together. The combination of shared experiences, travel time and informal conversations enabled deeper connections than traditional networking events.
Transfer Hints
- Use shared transport as a networking space: The bus journey is not merely logistics but an essential part of the methodology. Some of the most valuable conversations took place between locations, creating repeated opportunities for new encounters.
- Ensure active participation of company leadership: The presence of CEOs and innovation managers throughout the day significantly lowered barriers between participants and companies. This creates more authentic exchanges and increases the perceived value of the visits.
- Focus on a single thematic sector: A sector-focused programme helps participants identify common challenges and opportunities while still offering enough diversity in company profiles and innovation approaches.
- Adapt the sector focus: The format can be applied to any sector, including manufacturing, healthcare, food, energy, logistics or creative industries.
- Replace the bus with bicycles: The concept can be adapted by replacing the VIP bus with a (electric) cycling tour between sites. This offers a more sustainable and healthy alternative while creating additional opportunities for informal conversations in smaller groups during the journey.
- Include hands-on activities: You may choose to complement site visits with workshops, demonstrations or maker activities without changing the core concept.
- Limiting interaction with company representatives: Avoid company visits that only consist of presentations. Ensure participants have ample opportunity to ask questions and engage directly with CEOs, innovation managers and staff.
- Overloading the programme: Too many visits or presentations can reduce interaction and reflection time. Allow sufficient space for networking and informal discussions.
Participant Testimonials & Impressions
Impressions
Replicate This Application?
Access the complete implementation guide and connect with the team
Contact: Esther Vandebroek
Email: esther.vandebroek@stebo.be
Need more information?
Project manager:
Franziska Görmar
IfL - Leibniz Institute for Regional Geography, Germany
Email
This project is supported by the Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE Programme with co-financing from the European Regional Development Fund.
Find more information about the x-Inno Radar project on the Interreg CE projectwebsite.
x-Inno Radar is a project of: 
Creative Region Linz & Upper Austria Gmbh, 
The Regional Chamber of Commerce of the Karlovy Vary Region, 
Padova Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Crafts and Agriculture, 
Creative Industry Košice, n. o., 
BSC, Business support centre, ltd., Kranj, 
Regional Development Agency in Bielsko-Biała, 
Stebo Competence Centre Community Developmentm, 
Association of Cultural and Creative Industries Chemnitz and Region (Creative Chemnitz), Leibniz Institute for Regional Geography – Germany, Otelo Cooperative