Marleen Stikker believes that “Since technology defines our culture, culture should define our technology."

In 1994, Marleen founded De Digitale Stad (The Digital City), the first virtual community offering free internet access to the public. Soon after she co-founded the “Society of Old and New Media”, now called Waag Society, Institute for Art, Science and Technology. Together with international partners, Waag Society actively develops creative technology for social innovation through a variety of R&D projects.

As CEO of Waag Society she launched a number of successful products like the Storytable for the elderly and the Museum App, enabling every citizen to be a part of the ‘mediatized’ society. Together with Bas Verhart she founded PICNIC in 2006 and currently chairs their board of directors.

In 2007 Marleen initiated the ICT Innovation Platform Creative Industries (IIPcreate) which aims to bring together science, industry and creative sectors to formulate a strategic research agenda. She is a member of the board of directors at WPG Publishers, an independent publishing group. She continues to advocate her message of "inclusion through technology" around the world.