ChipNL launches to strengthen Dutch chip industry

The ChipNL Competence Center has now officially opened. The consortium of Dutch organizations active in the semiconductor industry plans to help companies access top European infrastructure, innovative design platforms, and talent development programs.

The consortium, officially launched yesterday, aims to bolster the Dutch semiconductor industry by connecting companies, knowledge institutions, and policymakers. It serves as a central hub, providing access to facilities, networks, and knowledge to accelerate innovation. The center's consortium comprises leading Dutch organizations, including Brainport Development, ChipTech Twente, High Tech NL, imec the Netherlands, JePPIX, Oost NL, TNO, BOM, and InnovationQuarter.

ChipNL focus areas and core activities

ChipNL focuses on key technological domains where the Netherlands already demonstrates leadership or possesses significant potential. These areas include semiconductor manufacturing equipment, chip design for applications like automotive and medical technology, heterogeneous integration and packaging for systems used in AI and 5G, and photonics and quantum technology.

To achieve its goals, the center facilitates access to European pilot lines for testing, develops an innovative design platform, implements talent programs, offers guidance on financing, and enhances the international visibility of Dutch companies.

Strengthening the Dutch economy

Vincent Karremans, Minister of Economic Affairs, emphasized the importance of the center, stating, "By connecting companies, knowledge institutions, and regions, we create better access to talent, facilities, and financing. This gives our chip sector the means to grow faster and structurally strengthen the Dutch economy. The ChipNL Competence Centre demonstrates the power of our national ecosystem."

Elly Zwartkruis, managing director of ChipNL Competence Centre, added, "Our goal is to strengthen the Dutch chip sector internationally and at the same time support companies of all sizes in their development. The ChipNL Competence Centre is a place where expertise, entrepreneurship, and innovation come together."

ChipNL is part of a broader European network of 30 Chips Act Competence Centers, enhancing the visibility of the Dutch sector and providing access to resources across Europe. The center also participates in the Silicon Europe Alliance, a cluster representing over 2,000 companies and 400,000 jobs. The European Union and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) provide funding for the ChipNL Competence Centre. The European Commission and the Ministry of Economic Affairs are jointly funding the project with a budget of €12 million over the next four years.