The future of Gen Z in Almere innovation ecosystems

Review meeting Gen Z & innovation ecosystems on 22 October

UPALMERE!, the action program of the Municipality of Almere, focuses on strengthening growth and innovation opportunities for tech-driven startups, scale-ups and innovative SMEs in Almere. These companies play an important key role in the regional innovation ecosystem by developing new technologies and disrupting markets. They contribute to economic growth, create jobs and strengthen Almere as an innovation hub.

For startups and scale-ups, access to talent is an important prerequisite for growth and success. The "war on talent" has been going on for some time, given the dynamics in the labour market. A labour market transformation is underway and will continue to evolve in the coming years, partly due to Gen Z. This generation brings not only a unique set of skills, but also a remarkable digital skill set that makes them future-proof. Gen Z's influence will increase in the workplace in the coming years, and in the mix of all generations, it is interesting to reflect on this.

Characteristics of Gen Z in the workplace

During the meeting, Linda Frietman, founder and CEO of IamProgreZ, gave an inspiring presentation on the characteristics of Gen Z in the workplace and their contribution to innovation ecosystems. According to Frietman, there are clear trends that indicate how this generation approaches working, such as a healthy work-life balance, need for flexibility and the no profit no impact principle. In addition, Gen Z is strong on technology, which makes them ideally suited to the digital transformations many companies are going through. This generation embraces technological innovations and helps companies stay future-proof.

Creating a bridge between Gen Z and older generations can help create an inclusive work culture where innovation flourishes. Although each generation has its own preferences and ways of working, sharing knowledge and experience can lead to better collaboration and creativity.

Gen Z and food

During the course of the meeting, Rabia Kribbe, owner of Deli Nomads, took us through the eating habits of Gen Z that differ from previous generations. "Snackification" - the preference for easy, quick meals - suits their busy lifestyles. At the same time, they value quality and sustainability, consciously choosing organic and eco-friendly products. This reflects their broader commitment to a more sustainable world.

The meeting made it clear that Gen Z plays an important role in the innovation ecosystem. Their digital skills, flexible working style and focus on no profit no impact principle make them a valuable source of talent for companies looking to grow and innovate. Companies in Almere would do well to embrace this generation and adapt their work culture accordingly to strengthen the region's future innovation power.

Author: Xander Bakker