RDM Rotterdam

Separated by the Nieuwe Maas, yet united in driving innovation for the industries of tomorrow. Dutch Drone Company (DDC) and visionplatform.ai are joining forces in a partnership that brings together drones, artificial intelligence (AI), and deep maritime and port expertise. Operating from two distinct districts, RDM and M4H, this collaboration demonstrates how the Rotterdam Makers District connects companies and strengthens innovation across the region.

From Entrepreneurship to Innovation

For Willem Jan Boer, Managing Director of Dutch Drone Company (DDC), the journey began in 2014 in a wooden shed in the Westland region of the Netherlands. Together with a group of colleagues, he recognised the opportunities emerging from new drone regulations and the potential of drone technology. With a background in commercial economics and process improvement, Willem Jan grew alongside the company as it rapidly evolved into a specialist in industrial drone applications.

Koen de Jong, founder of visionplatform.ai, followed a different path. After previous ventures in logistics and the chemical sector, he became fascinated by artificial intelligence and real-time video analytics. This initially led to the development of a company focused on the automated recognition of container numbers using camera technology. Later, he founded visionplatform.ai, a company dedicated to intelligent computer vision and user-friendly AI solutions.

Distinct Locations, Shared Ambitions

Dutch Drone Company deliberately chose to establish itself at RDM Rotterdam. “The former shipyard district is renowned for its maritime heritage and strong focus on technology, manufacturing, and innovation,” says Willem Jan. For DDC, RDM offered exactly what the company needed: “Space within the inspiring environment of the Innovation Dock and direct access to industrial clients.” Today, the company operates its office, workshop, and drone fleet storage facilities from the site.

visionplatform.ai, meanwhile, chose to locate in M4H Rotterdam, based in the Science Tower at Marconiplein. M4H is transforming from a historic port area into a vibrant urban innovation district, providing space for creative manufacturing, technology companies, and start-ups. For Koen, accessibility was a decisive factor. “Talent from Rotterdam, as well as cities such as Delft, Amsterdam, and Utrecht, can easily reach our location. That’s essential in a sector where highly skilled professionals are in short supply.”

Smart Technology for Real-World Challenges

Dutch Drone Company uses drones not simply as flying devices, but as sophisticated tools for capturing data. The company conducts inspections of industrial facilities, civil structures, infrastructure assets, and large industrial sites. “A single flight can generate hundreds of thousands of images,” Willem Jan explains. “The real value lies in being able to analyse that data quickly and accurately.”

This is where visionplatform.ai comes in. The company develops software capable of identifying objects, anomalies, and patterns within visual data. “Our technology enables large volumes of photos and videos to be assessed automatically,” says Koen. “The combination of drone imagery and AI makes inspections faster, safer, and more efficient.”

RDM and M4H: One Innovation Ecosystem

“We first met at a trade exhibition in Rotterdam Ahoy,” Willem Jan recalls. “From there, the relationship developed into a series of joint projects.” One notable example is the inspection of the Haringvliet Bridge. Traditionally, engineers would spend extended periods carrying out manual inspections under challenging conditions. For the first time, a drone was deployed to perform the inspection instead. Specialists were able to monitor the process live, while visionplatform.ai developed systems that automatically detected missing or loose bolts within the bridge structure. The result was a faster, safer, and less disruptive inspection process.

According to both entrepreneurs, this collaboration highlights the value of the Rotterdam Makers District. Together, RDM and M4H form a connected ecosystem where businesses meet, collaborate, and strengthen one another. “Networking comes naturally here,” says Koen. “We meet interesting people, and they meet interesting people. That’s what makes this ecosystem work. It creates opportunities to complement each other’s strengths.”

Innovation as a Competitive Advantage

What sets Dutch Drone Company apart is its evolution from a drone operator into a data specialist. As Willem Jan puts it, the drone itself is merely a means to an end: “The information it generates is the real product.”

visionplatform.ai differentiates itself by making AI accessible and practical for end users. “We focus on solutions rather than complexity,” says Koen. “Technology that delivers immediate value in ports, terminals, and infrastructure environments.”

Building the Future Together

Looking ahead, both companies see significant opportunities in further automation, more advanced data processing, and stronger collaboration between government, education, and industry. They also stress the importance of maintaining a strong industrial foundation in the Rotterdam region“Without industry and real-world challenges, there is less room for innovation.”

Their message to aspiring entrepreneurs is simple: get out there, build connections, and be willing to experiment. The Rotterdam Makers District is precisely the kind of place where new encounters spark new ideas, and where those ideas can become reality. From RDM and M4H, Dutch Drone Company and visionplatform.ai continue to build that future every day.