Koos Kerstholt

Koos Kerstholt serves as a PartTime Lecturer at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences Business School and Project Manager/Researcher at the Business Innovation Knowledge Center (KcBI), focusing on business model innovation for manufacturing SMEs through servitization and digital transformation.

His academic foundation includes a business administration degree (Drs.), complemented by professional roles at FMO, Grondmechanica Delft (Deltares), and Syntens, followed by independent innovation consultancy for installation-sector SMEs since 2012.

Research centers on enabling manufacturing companies to transition from product sales to service-oriented business models, develop business model portfolios, and implement circular economy practices through co-creative ecosystem approaches. His work emphasizes practical frameworks for digital servitization, skills development, and living lab methodologies that bridge academic theory with industry implementation.

Publication analysis (2020-2025) reveals concentrated expertise in digital transformation frameworks for SMEs, structured servitization processes, and skills gap solutions within manufacturing contexts. The body of work consistently addresses systemic challenges through practical toolkits and collaborative innovation models.

Kerstholt coordinates the Living Lab Schiedistrict innovation community with Schiedam municipality, fostering regional mechatronics development through projects like 'More with Less' (circular economy acceleration) and 'Learning in a systems perspective', which connect businesses, government agencies, and students in applied research ecosystems.