Eindhoven's strategic move: Municipality to acquire Brainport Industries Campus
“This opportunity arose because the owner decided to sell,” alderman Stijn Steenbakkers explained. “We’re seizing the chance to secure this vital asset for the long term.”
Published on January 22, 2025
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In a decisive move that underscores the growing importance of public involvement in Brainport's high-tech ecosystems, the Municipality of Eindhoven has announced its intention to acquire Brainport Industries Campus (BIC 1). This landmark acquisition aims "to strengthen the region's position as a global leader in innovation, technology, and high-tech manufacturing". The intended purchase, which the Eindhoven City Council will review in February 2025, reflects the city's commitment to fostering sustainable growth and safeguarding vital economic infrastructure.
The acquisition of BIC 1 includes the 105,000 m² building, surrounding public spaces, and a parking garage. It also involves taking over contracts with more than 40 existing tenants and educational partners, ensuring continuity and maintaining the current ecosystem. Alderman Stijn Steenbakkers (Brainport and Economy) emphasized the strategic importance of the move: “On our campuses, the jobs of tomorrow are created, and the innovations that make a difference to society are developed. Becoming an owner of BIC 1 allows us to strengthen our regional innovation ecosystem further, safeguard public functions, and protect our unique business infrastructure. It’s a bold step toward building a sustainable future for Eindhoven and the Brainport region.”
The purchase comes as Capreon, the current owner, shifts focus, having achieved 100% occupancy at BIC 1 since its completion in 2019. Raphael Noé, CEO of Capreon, expressed pride in the campus’ development: “BIC is now an institutional, prime asset, and a hub for innovation and collaboration. We’re confident the municipality is the right custodian to carry its mission forward.”
Securing strategic autonomy
Eindhoven’s high-tech economy has experienced exponential growth over the past decade, driven by key players like ASML, NXP, and VDL, alongside a robust network of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and educational institutions such as TU Eindhoven, Fontys, and Summa. Alderman Steenbakkers described campuses like BIC as “mierennestjes van innovatie” (ant nests of innovation) that fuel economic growth and societal progress.
This acquisition represents a proactive approach to ensuring that the region’s high-tech infrastructure remains aligned with public interests. Alderman Maes van Lanschot (Finance and Participations) highlighted the financial side of the deal: “BIC 1’s solid business case ensures a strong financial foundation. The structure also allows us to onboard reliable public-private partners as co-owners, fostering long-term collaboration in the Brainport ecosystem.”
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"No intentions to acquire High Tech Campus Eindhoven"
During the announcement, the timing of the acquisition and its potential implications for other campuses, such as the High Tech Campus (HTCE), were key discussion points. The municipality clarified that while BIC 1’s sale was initiated by Capreon in mid-2024, the city has long considered greater public involvement in campus ownership. “This opportunity arose because the owner decided to sell,” Steenbakkers explained. “We’re seizing the chance to secure this vital asset for the long term.”
Regarding HTCE, which remains privately owned, officials praised its current management and emphasized a collaborative relationship. “HTCE’s owners are doing an excellent job, and we view them as valuable local partners. There are no plans to acquire the campus now,” said Steenbakkers.
Raphael Noé (CEO Capreon), Alderman Stijn Steenbakkers (Brainport and Economy), Alderman Maes van Lanschot (Finance and Participations).
A dynamic ecosystem in the making
BIC is a cornerstone of Brainport’s innovation landscape, home to over 2,000 employees and 500 students daily. Its tenant mix includes blue-chip companies like ASML, startups such as LionVolt, and educational institutions like Summa College and Fontys. This quadruple-helix model fosters collaboration between industry, education, and government, driving solutions to societal challenges such as sustainable energy and advanced manufacturing.
The campus also serves as a model for sustainable development, featuring solar panels, shared facilities, and prototyping labs. Capreon’s management will remain involved for the next three to five years to ensure a smooth transition, retaining institutional knowledge and overseeing contracts with tenants.
The acquisition aligns with the broader development of Brainport Industries Campus. BIC Cluster 2, a project more than twice the size of BIC 1 at 225,000 m², is set to expand the region’s innovation capacity. The northern section of the campus is already earmarked for ASML’s potential expansion, which could bring tens of thousands of additional jobs to the area.
The municipality’s investment reflects a growing trend toward public-private partnerships to accelerate development. As Steenbakkers noted, “Building a sustainable future requires a government that dares to take a position and make real choices. We’re not only securing economic infrastructure but also fostering an environment where innovation and education thrive together."