The Maryland Department of Commerce signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Oct. 13 with two economic development agencies in The Netherlands to begin a Maryland-Netherlands Cyber and Security Technologies Soft Landing Platform, the department said Oct. 14.
The agreement was signed between Maryland and The Hague Security Delta (HSD) as well as InnovationQuarter, the regional economic development agency for the Zuid-Holland province. The soft landing program will allow Maryland cybersecurity companies to explore the Dutch market and Dutch cybersecurity companies to set up operations in Maryland on a trial basis.
The agreement lasts for three years and was signed at The Netherlands’ ambassador’s residence in Washington, D.C. The signatories were Maryland Deputy Secretary for Commerce Ben Wu, HSD Executive Director Richard Franken, and InnovationQuarter Director of Foreign Investments Chris van Voorden.
Maryland highlighted this is the first agreement of its kind for the state, which will provide participants with up to three months of incubation and mentorship services as well as help them connect with additional resources and partners.
Dutch companies that participate in the process will spend time incubating at facilities like bwtech@UMBC. Following the initial trial period from January to March 2017, participants can choose to establish a permanent presence in Maryland or The Netherlands, the department said.
“Maryland is the ideal place for foreign cybersecurity companies to establish operations as they explore the U.S market. We are home to many key federal agencies, including the National Security Agency and the National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence, as well as a critical mass of successful information technology and cybersecurity companies, and a highly-skilled and talented workforce,” Maryland Commerce Secretary Mike Gill, said in a statement.
Franken noted that the HSD is the largest security cluster of Europe and an ideal place for companies to “soft land.” “The cluster comprises many companies, knowledge institutes, and government organizations and provides access to market, talent, innovation, knowledge, capital, events and education,” he added.
Van Voorden also welcomed security tech companies to use the program. “They can come for a week or even stay for three consecutive months in bwtech or HSD. We will make sure every company receives a tailor-made program in which they will meet our partners and get connected to the right business environment.”