Q&A with CIC Rotterdam’s Senior Sales & Relationship Manager, Andra Ragan
For the past eight years, CIC Rotterdam has played a central role in the city’s innovation ecosystem, cultivating a dynamic community of entrepreneurs in technology, life sciences, cleantech and more. Since opening its doors in 2016 as CIC’s first international location outside the U.S., it has grown into a thriving hub, now home to more than 250 innovative companies, and named one of Europe’s Leading Start-up Hubs by Financial Times for two years in a row.
In 2024, CIC signed a long-term agreement with Jamestown, a global real estate and management firm, to add an additional 1,136 sqm of workspace, bringing its Rotterdam innovation campus to 11,710 sqm within the iconic Groot Handelsgebouw. With this new space, CIC will be able to meet the demand of Rotterdam’s rapidly growing start-up community, providing an environment that enables innovation.
We chatted with Andra to get her thoughts on the significance of this expansion and what that means for CIC, the city of Rotterdam, and the innovation ecosystem.
Q: What are you looking forward to most about the new space?
“I’m most excited about the energy this new space will bring—more entrepreneurs, more collaborations, and a fresh environment where ideas can scale faster than ever. It’s not just about growing square meters, it’s about growing ambition and community.”
Q: What does this expansion mean for the Rotterdam Innovation Ecosystem?
“It’s a major boost. Rotterdam has been steadily building a name as a hub for innovation, and this expansion signals that the momentum is real. It creates new opportunities for startups, scale-ups, corporates, and investors to collide and create real impact right here in the heart of the city.”
Q: What partnerships have made this expansion possible and why is it important to build these relationships?
“This expansion was made possible thanks to the strong collaboration between CIC, the Municipality of Rotterdam, Jamestown and our visionary partners across the ecosystem. As we like to say here, innovation doesn’t happen in isolation. It thrives when public, private, and entrepreneurial forces come together to support a common mission.”
Q: How does this new space seek to support the startup community and in what sectors in particular?
“We’re creating a space where startups not only launch but thrive, with direct access to a network of mentors, investors, corporate partners, and a global innovation community. We’re seeing particular momentum in sectors like climate tech, life sciences, logistics, and digital innovation, and we’re ready to help founders in these areas take their ideas to the next level.”
Q: What qualities will set the most unique office apart from the rest?
“The most unique office will have not just great design and stunning views—it will have energy. It’s the people who bring the space to life: a dynamic mix of entrepreneurs, creatives, and innovators sharing an environment where big ideas are built.”
Q: What does the CIC expansion mean for the city?
“It means that Rotterdam is doubling down on innovation. It’s a signal to the world that this city is ready to lead, not just in business, but in building a future-focused economy that is inclusive, sustainable, and bold.”
Q: How will this expansion support CIC’s mission?
“CIC’s mission has always been about creating the best possible environment for innovation to happen. This expansion strengthens our ability to do that—offering more space, more support, and more connections for entrepreneurs and innovators to succeed globally.”
As CIC Rotterdam enters this next chapter, the message is clear: innovation is thriving in the heart of the city. This expansion is more than just added space, it’s a renewed commitment to the people, partnerships, and purpose that fuel progress. With a growing community, stronger ecosystem ties, and a bold vision for the future, CIC continues to be a launchpad for ideas that can change the world.
So, are you ready to explore the new space? Schedule an in-person tour now.
