Mona Keijzer visits the Hiber headquarters.

This November the Dutch State Secretary for Economic Affairs and Climate Policy visited Hiber’s headquarters.

December 16, 2019 · 6 min read

The Dutch government periodically appoints new National Icons. The nominees are selected by an independent jury. What does the jury consider when nominating the winners to the cabinet?

Under the chairmanship of Hans Wijers, the jury has selected three very interesting new National Icons. To become a National Icon, your innovative service or product must have (future) economic value for the Netherlands, contribute to the major global, social challenges and be demonstrably technologically innovative on a global scale. The jury also looked at entrepreneurial capacities and what the added value of a possible iconic status would be for the company. At Hiber, the jury saw strong entrepreneurship combined with creative innovation, and thus a great economic and social potential.

 

The winners are then assigned a minister or state secretary as ambassador. You’re the ambassador for Hiber. What do you expect to do for Hiber over the next three years?

The ambassadorship focuses on network support. Think of questions such as: how do things run for the government, who is handy to know, where can you go for subsidies or support in doing international business. During my visit to Hiber, we talked about exactly what I can do for them. In any case, wherever I get the chance, I will put Hiber in the spotlight, both nationally and internationally, for example during trade missions. That’s why I’m glad that Hiber is coming with me to Las Vegas in January, to the Consumer Electronics Show, the largest technology fair in the world.

 

 

The winners are then assigned a minister or state secretary as ambassador. You’re the ambassador for Hiber. What do you expect to do for Hiber over the next three years?

The ambassadorship focuses on network support. Think of questions such as: how do things run for the government, who is handy to know, where can you go for subsidies or support in doing international business. During my visit to Hiber, we talked about exactly what I can do for them. In any case, wherever I get the chance, I will put Hiber in the spotlight, both nationally and internationally, for example during trade missions. That’s why I’m glad that Hiber is coming with me to Las Vegas in January, to the Consumer Electronics Show, the largest technology fair in the world.

“The Hiber satellites are bringing energy-efficient and affordable ‘Internet of Things’ to the most remote places on earth. The possibilities are endless, especially for farmers, fishermen, and transporters.”

Mona Keijzer

What role do you think the Internet of Things will play in the global economy?

More and more devices, expected to be 30 billion by 2020, are connected to the Internet. Smart thermostats, refrigerators, toys and TVs: they are attractive to consumers and offer entrepreneurs additional revenue opportunities. The Internet of Things also has major social applications: think of making it possible to read ground water sensors that can help farmers with their business operations. The Netherlands is at the forefront of digital infrastructure and we want to maintain that position. Hiber’s technology can play an important role in this: their network offers the possibility of placing smart devices anywhere in the world.

 

How do you think it is that innovations such as WiFi, Bluetooth and Hiberband come from Dutch soil?

More and more devices, expected to be 30 billion by 2020, are connected to the Internet. Smart thermostats, refrigerators, toys and TVs: they are attractive to consumers and offer entrepreneurs additional revenue opportunities. The Internet of Things also has major social applications: think of making it possible to read ground water sensors that can help farmers with their business operations. The Netherlands is at the forefront of digital infrastructure and we want to maintain that position. Hiber’s technology can play an important role in this: their network offers the possibility of placing smart devices anywhere in the world.