Pitstop

The Pitstop project helps SMEs in Twente with digitalisation and circularity by providing action-oriented insights, network connections and concrete steps for the future.

A strong business community in Twente is the driving force behind the regional economy. Businesses form the basis for the region's current and future earning capacity, thereby providing income and job security for our residents. It is important that the business community in Twente continues to develop in order to remain future-proof. Entrepreneurship is changing rapidly, for example in the areas of digitalisation and sustainability. Twente offers a wide range of support for entrepreneurs, but this can make it challenging to find the right options. Whether it's a question of how to apply AI in business operations or how to comply with all circular regulations, the precise question of where and how to start prevents companies from taking action. The Pit Stop Session, a new action-oriented approach, aims to help with this.

During such a session, entrepreneurs literally take a step back and critically assess whether everything is still working properly for the road ahead. They gain insights into trends and opportunities and receive concrete follow-up steps that they can immediately put into practice. The goal is to offer entrepreneurs insight into opportunities and points of attention in the areas of digitization and circularity, enabling them to move forward immediately and/or be referred to the right initiative to help them with the required actions.

The question behind the question

Project leader Jeroen Wevers of Novel-T explains: "The Pitstop helps entrepreneurs to clearly formulate their questions and connects them with the right networks, enabling them to better tackle the challenges of today and tomorrow and innovate their businesses. We stand alongside the entrepreneur and identify the question behind the question. Entrepreneurs don't always know how to interpret the question correctly and need insight, knowledge, and a network to formulate and address the question properly. This applies to both digitization and circular activities. We once started a company based on circularity, but in the end it was a digitization question. As an entrepreneur, you can't just buy something. Often you also have to change your organization, otherwise the product will remain on the shelf."

Collaboration

Pitstop is there for the broad SME sector. “The majority of the companies we assist have fewer than 100 employees, but the sessions are suitable for both a metalworking company and the bakery around the corner,” says Jeroen. “We work together with municipalities, industry and business associations, and Ondernemend Twente to make companies aware of Pitstop. Sometimes we can refer an entrepreneur immediately after they contact us, for example to Saxion or another entrepreneur. Others we invite to a Pitstop. These sessions take place throughout Twente. Around 8 to 10 companies attend each session, so that they can also learn from each other."

Sustainable connections

This project will run for three years. "We want to use that time to properly market Pitstop with a high frequency and work on achieving the greatest possible impact. On the one hand, based on the value it has for companies and entrepreneurs. On the other hand, to help solve the social challenges related to digitization and sustainability. We expect to develop a better way of working to effectively support SMEs, while also improving the connections between the ecosystem, existing initiatives, and market players," concludes Jeroen.

Want to know more?

Contact Jeroen Wevers

M: j.wevers@novelt.com

Learn more about Pitstop