Director of Eindhoven Academy, Director EIPO, independent consultant and business developer.The Eindhoven region is also known as the Brainport region. A region where intense collaboration between businesses, governments and knowledge institutes (Triple Helix) has brought substantial economic growth. Cooperation within the Brainport ecosystem is based on a joint agenda and is internationally recognition. The Triple Helix cooperation was rewarded the "EUROCITIES 2010 Cooperation Award"​ in 2010, the Intelligent Community Forum in New York appointed the Brainport Eindhoven Region the "World Smartest Region" in 2011 and Eindhoven repeatedly made the top 3 most interesting regions to invest in, according to the fDi index of the Financial Times.Eindhoven Academy has a mission to strengthen the professional network within the region and to enhance Triple Helix collaboration by education and training. Which factors explain and determine the effectiveness of collaboration within the Brainport network? How to gain maximum results from this on a professional level? These questions define the core business of Eindhoven Academy, combining personal development of the participants and group dynamics.Joost Helms graduated the Eindhoven University of Technology, gained 10 years of experience as an entrepreneur and has been in politics for 10 years, including 4 years as a vice mayor of the city of Eindhoven. Like no other, he understands the differences in motives, interests and processes of the Triple Helix partnersBesides the activities of Eindhoven Academy, Joost Helms is also operating as an independent consultant and business developer and director of EIPO, specialized in connecting businesses, governments, knowledge partners and nonprofit organizations to cope with the challenges of tomorrow. Discover the power of collaboration to create more added value and develop a future-proof business model with social responsibility.www.eindhovenacademy.nlwww.eipo.nl