The initiative for BrainR was taken by Stichting Building, under the guidance of Asqa Subsidies. The project collaborates with Hanze Hogeschool Groningen, TU Delft, Energiecampus Leeuwarden, Biosintrum, Bouwend Nederland, BAM Techniek, Stichting 1AA1 and Platform Fokus Collaboration and participation is open to the entire construction chain and cross-over sectors such as ICT. This project aims to realise future-proof and sustainable innovations in the construction sector by organising increasing use and knowledge of digital techniques as a tool within the ‘Quadruple Helix’: for a transition to succeed, changes in laws and regulations, demand, education and research are as important as specific (business) innovations. With this knowledge development project, action perspective is given to all companies in the construction chain (from client to contractor) and the future workforce to develop and accelerate solutions for the societal challenges and especially to promote the transition to a circular construction economy, by using digital techniques and stimulating targeted innovations through collaboration in the quadruple helix. As a result, Northern Netherlands industry will be at the forefront of the rest of the Netherlands, both in economic terms (increased productivity and improved working conditions) and in terms of sustainability. By speeding up the process of digitisation, the regional construction sector in the North Netherlands will develop more effectively and will create new business and employment in the region. The cooperation partners will support SMEs in developing knowledge about digitalisation in practice. Innovation and use of new technologies and digital techniques in the process of design, construction, use is stimulated and driven by the demand-oriented and chain-oriented approach of the cooperation partners, by responding properly to the needs and the level of knowledge of the target group, SMEs will be involved in their relevant activities. Within the knowledge development project, SMEs are encouraged to use BIM and Digital Twins in the design-making-use cycle: Parametric design &Amp; engineering, Industrialisation and robotisation and Smart/talking buildings. Furthermore, BrainR facilitates and supports SMEs in the market introduction of new building materials and sub-products through the use of digital techniques. The necessary knowledge and facilities for digital building innovation are widely accessible and made available to SMEs. Finally, the activities of project partners contribute to increasing the level of knowledge in the field of digital applications in the construction sector. This programme contributes to real innovation, business case, perspective, continuity and employment of Northern SMEs. The BrainR learning network is set up in this knowledge development project as a support structure for SME entrepreneurs in the digital transformation. BrainR will consist of facilities and own networks of the partners involved, connected through different platforms for all strands of the quadruple helix. From this, practical experience is gained and shared in project form, depending on the objective by constantly changing compositions of clients, users, education, research and industry. The learning network offers perspective and continuity in a sector governed by competition, low margins and temporary collaborations. BrainR will deliver a dynamically effective ecosystem for a future-proof SMEs through accelerated innovation in northern construction.