Eindhoven Engine receives 50K grant for sustainable upscaling of Mijke the Matchbot
We are pleased to announce that Eindhoven Engine has been awarded 50K. This funding will support the sustainable upscale of Mijke the Matchbot. Mijke is our AI‑powered digital assistant. She is designed to make service delivery more accessible, reliable, and inclusive across the region.
What is Mijke the Matchbot?
Mijke the Matchbot is an AI-driven digital assistant developed at Eindhoven Engine that helps individuals find the right public or social services quickly and easily. The feasibility of the concept has already been validated: Mijke can guide users through complex information, streamline referrals, and reduce barriers to essential support. The next step is ensuring that this innovation can scale responsibly, securely, and effectively within the European context.
Focus of the new project: two core developments
1. Exploring locally hosted LLMs for European‑aligned privacy and autonomy
A key part of this project is assessing the feasibility of running large language models (LLMs) locally, rather than relying on external cloud services. This approach enables:
- Privacy-by-design, with sensitive data fully protected
- Greater autonomy and resilience for public organizations
- Predictable, controllable operational costs
- Alignment with European data governance requirements and regulations
This exploration is essential for ensuring that Mijke can be deployed widely and responsibly within public and social sectors.
2. Creating a continuous user feedback loop
To ensure long-term quality and trustworthiness, the project will design and test a structured user feedback system. This mechanism enables real-time improvement of:
- Referral accuracy
- Reliability of information
- Overall accessibility of the digital assistant
By embedding user experience directly into ongoing development, Mijke will evolve in step with the needs of residents, professionals, and service organizations.
The next step is ensuring that this innovation can scale responsibly, securely, and effectively within the European context.
In collaboration with Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) feasibility studies and pilots will be conducted within the Eindhoven Metropolitan Region (MRE). The project aims to deliver a scalable, privacy-friendly, and inclusive digital solution that strengthens accessible public and social service delivery and supports long-term regional impact.”
Driving transitions in society – with society
EWUU conference
The major societal challenges of our time, from climate instability, biodiversity loss to pressures on health systems, resource scarcity and insecurity, are complex and interconnected. They are evolving faster than any single organization or discipline can respond to. Addressing them requires new forms of collaboration: not only across academic fields, but with people, institutions and communities that shape society every day.
Transdisciplinary action
Within the EWUU alliance, we are taking this step. We are moving from interdisciplinary collaboration towards transdisciplinary action. We do not only study transitions; we work within them, by developing, testing and sharing knowledge in partnership with society to help shape system-change together. This includes advancing the shift towards a circular economy and contributing to prevention-oriented and resilient health systems.
Shared space for reflection
Our annual EWUU conference on 16 April 2026 in Eindhoven opens a shared space for reflection, imagination and experimenting. We will explore new ways of working across disciplines and sectors, acknowledging our different roles and perspectives.
Become part of our journey
We invite pioneers and doubters, thinkers and doers to join us and to co-think, co-learn, co-design and co-shape futures that matter. Save the date and become part of this learning journey!
Media: Building the water systems of the future together
- Read more [article is in Dutch]
Eindhoven Engine receives another 50K to accelerate climate‑neutral Brainport region by 2040
We are proud and delighted to announce that our project Brainport Circulaire Waterhub – From Isolated Initiatives to Collective Water Management has been awarded a 50K Kennis‑in‑Actie grant for Collectief Waterbeheer Oost‑Brabant. This support marks an important milestone in our joint program with Rijkswaterstaat to help the Brainport region become climate neutral by 2040.
A shared challenge, a collective opportunity
The rapidly growing Brainport region faces a significant water challenge. Urban expansion, industrial demand, and the effects of climate change mean that by 2040 we must retain more water locally and extract far less. At the same time, our region is uniquely positioned to lead the way. Brainport’s strong collaborative culture, where government, businesses, knowledge institutions, and society work hand in hand, creates fertile ground for innovative solutions.
This project embraces that strength. Together, we aim to transition from fragmented water initiatives to a cohesive, future-proof model of collective water management. Our ambition is to enable the same water to be used multiple times across companies, public authorities, agriculture, and households, before returning it to nature in the highest possible quality.
Collaboration at the heart
Eindhoven Engine will serve as project lead, working closely with a diverse and committed consortium:
- Eindhoven Engine
- Kloostersland
- Sustainable Dynamics
- TU/e Industrial Engineering & Innovation Sciences
- TU/e Mechanical Engineering
- vanderPoll office
This powerful coalition embodies the Brainport spirit: multidisciplinary, innovative, and united by a common purpose.
Ambition in action
This six-month exploratory project started in February 2026 and brings together technical expertise, scientific insights and practical experience. Through co-creation, we will investigate the process step to create a regional circular water system with stakeholder, laying the groundwork for broader implementation across Oost‑Brabant.
The grant enables us to deepen this journey and make the lessons learned available for other locations.
This is an elective course for EngD trainees in Designing Human–System Interaction and Automotive Systems Design.
The challenges of today are wicked in nature: we have no upfront idea where the solution might be found. Most of the technology management approaches and methods are not based on this reality of a complex, systemic world, and therefore do not always equip engineers ideally.
To make sense of today’s reality, engineers must take charge. They need to shape the future instead of being swept along by it. This means understanding what innovation truly requires in a world that is constantly shifting and filled with uncertainty. And above all, they must be ready to navigate the rapid disruption driven by exponential technologies. They need to know how to construct business models that matter, using technologies for positive impact. Additional to their technological specialization, engineers need to develop an understanding of, and a competence in, turning the great potential of (exponential) technologies into business models to bring to market.
More about the course >>
Eindhoven Engine will once again be participating this year. We look forward to engaging with students, presenting our projects, and exploring how we can work together to drive meaningful and sustainable innovation.
Eindhoven Engine is committed to tackling complex societal challenges—often referred to as wicked problems. As an independent organization, we strive to contribute to a livable and sustainable Brainport region. Supported by our stakeholders Fontys, TNO, and Eindhoven University of Technology, we focus on four key areas: Livable Region, Future‑Proof Care, Sustainable Semicon, and Inclusive Society.
What sets Eindhoven Engine apart is our ability to operate outside traditional frameworks. We collaborate closely with industry, academia, government partners, and the people directly experiencing these challenges. This approach enables us to innovate faster and respond more effectively to emerging needs. By combining independence and openness with respect for existing ecosystems, we create space for disruptive solutions that can truly make a difference.
The Career Expo is an exciting event created especially for TU/e students—but the doors are also open to non‑TU/e students who want to explore the expo floor and connect with the wide range of participating companies.
Across two inspiring days, students can introduce themselves to more than 180 forward‑thinking companies ready to answer questions, share insights, and explore potential opportunities in their field of study or business. It’s a unique chance to discover new directions, broaden perspectives, and kick‑start a meaningful career journey.
Eindhoven Engine is committed to tackling complex societal challenges—often referred to as wicked problems. As an independent organization, we strive to contribute to a livable and sustainable Brainport region. Supported by our stakeholders Fontys, TNO, and Eindhoven University of Technology, we focus on four key areas: Livable Region, Future‑Proof Care, Sustainable Semicon, and Inclusive Society.
We can’t wait to connect with students who are passionate about technology, creativity, and making a difference—see you at the expo!
Climate-neutral Brainport 2040: Circular water hubs
We proudly announce a landmark collaboration between Eindhoven Engine, Rijkswaterstaat, and a coalition of visionary partners. This agreement, officially kicked off during the Festival of Disruption 2025, marks a decisive step toward achieving a climate-neutral Brainport by 2040 through circular water hubs. Among those present at this milestone: Patricia Zorko, Deputy Director-General at Rijkswaterstaat, and Silvia Lenaerts, Rector Magnificus of TU/e.
Why does it matter?
Water scarcity is no longer a distant threat—it’s a pressing reality already impacting the Netherlands, especially during increasingly dry summers. By 2030, we will need an additional 100 million m³ of drinking water every year to meet growing demand. Without bold action, structural shortages could disrupt households, industries, and ecosystems. In the Brainport region, this challenge is even more urgent due to climate change, rapid economic growth, and fragile sandy soils.
Our solution: circular water hubs
We are building a regenerative water system that not only uses water but actively restores and strengthens the natural cycle. Our guiding principle: Every drop you receive should be returned at least as clean—ideally cleaner—so nature benefits too.
This approach connects to other societal challenges such as nitrogen, energy, raw materials, and food. It’s a wicked problem that demands integrated, multidisciplinary collaboration. Eindhoven Engine acts as the orchestrator, leveraging expertise from TU/e, Fontys, Avans, and Yuverta, alongside key partners including businesses, the Ministry of Defence, Brabant Water/Rehydro, and Waterschap De Dommel. Rijkswaterstaat contributes innovationsite Kloosters from InnovA58 and its assets—such as the Wilhelmina Canal and highways—to enable this transformation.
The commitment
The collaboration runs for four years, with the intention to extend. This agreement forms part of Rijkswaterstaat’s sustainability strategy, with Eindhoven Engine leading as regional orchestrator within the University 4.0 hub. A budget of €800,000 has been allocated to kick-start this initiative. By integrating technical, societal and organizational innovations we improve our ability to tackle complex problems.
Every drop you receive should be returned at least as clean—ideally cleaner—so nature benefits too.
Eindhoven Engine News – October 2025
In this edition of Eindhoven Engine News: Festival of Disruption 2025, How healthy is your neighborhood?, Mijke the Matchbot update & more.
What else is happening at Eindhoven Engine?
Media: Mijke the Matchbot guides you through the jungle of social organisations
Imagine you have a question about finances, your health, or a difficult letter. But in the maze of social organisations, your first attempt always leads you to the wrong organization. For over three million Dutch people with limited basic skills, this is a daily reality. Many give up out of frustration or shame. Mijke the Matchbot aims to change that: a friendly digital assistant, developed with support from the Regio Deal Brainport Eindhoven funds, that actually points you in the right direction.
Source: Brainport Eindhoven