Breakthrough innovations by locally embedded start-ups and SMEs in a global network

This chapter diagnoses the situation of high-tech small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Eindhoven Brainport region in the south of the Netherlands, based on desk research and additional background interviews. This region has an ecosystem with a very proliferated heritage of technology-based companies (Philips, Van Doorne’s Aanhangwagen Fabriek (DAF)) but is historically not specially aimed at marketing at the end of the supply chain and financial competences. Two explorative cases have been conducted, on a health care firm and a solar technology company based on extensive interviews. We finish with suggestions for the survival of promising challengers of the status quo.