Xiver aims to become EU leader in MEMS for high-tech applications
This week we are highlighting the winners of the Gerard and Anton Awards. Today: XIVER
Published on July 13, 2025
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What do you do when an established name like Philips decides to divest itself of a technology with decades of expertise, even though the market is crying out for it? For the team behind Xiver, the answer was clear: you seize the opportunity with both hands. Since the carve-out in 2023, Xiver has been on an ambitious mission to become the leading independent MEMS foundry in Europe.
MEMS – or microelectromechanical systems – are indispensable in a wide range of applications, including medical diagnostics, industrial sensors, integrated photonics, and the automotive industry. These are tiny sensors and actuators that are often produced at the wafer level. The team translates complex design concepts into robust processes and scalable production.
“We make it industrially feasible for our customers to produce high-quality MEMS components,” says board member Jeroen Langendam. “Our strength lies in combining design, industrialization, and production—all under one roof.”
Born out of a transition, driven by a mission
Xiver's origins lie in the repositioning of Philips. When the group decided to focus on integrated healthcare solutions, the MEMS foundry fell outside the new strategy. At the same time, the founding team saw a growing demand for MEMS production capacity in Europe.
“For us, this was not just a regular company takeover. It was about preserving knowledge, jobs, and infrastructure. But also about strengthening technological sovereignty in Europe,” says Langendam.
Xiver focuses on two technology platforms: CMUT Ultrasound, for applications in medical imaging and monitoring, and Beam Optics, for manipulating light or particles in photonic sensors, among other things.
From carve-out to frontrunner
One of the biggest challenges in the initial phase? “The carve-out itself,” says Langendam. “Separating an advanced production environment from a listed company while ensuring the continuity of customer relationships, technology, and the team is complex. But we succeeded—and that is our greatest success to date.”
In a short period, Xiver managed to transform itself into an independent MEMS foundry while retaining all its existing customers and maintaining a clear strategic focus. In the meantime, the company has also attracted new customers, partly thanks to its strong technological positioning.
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A demanding market with great opportunities
MEMS is a niche market within the semiconductor industry, but one with rapidly growing demand. “We expect significant growth over the next five to ten years, especially in medtech, wearable sensors, optical communications, and industrial detection,” says Langendam.
Where large foundries often focus on mass-producing standard components, Xiver has consciously chosen a different course: medium volumes, high complexity, strong IP protection, and plenty of room for co-creation. “This allows us to fill an important gap in the European market.”
Brainport as a fertile breeding ground
Xiver operates from the High Tech Campus Eindhoven, in the heart of the Brainport region. That is no coincidence. “The ecosystem here is incredibly valuable,” says Langendam. “We are surrounded by suppliers, deep tech talent, knowledge institutions such as the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), and launching customers. Collaborations with partners such as PhotonDelta and the Brabant Development Agency (BOM) help us accelerate.”
Nevertheless, he also sees room for improvement. “What is still missing is a greater presence of international top customers with volume and strategic importance. And startups like Xiver need better support for supporting processes such as housing, IT, and market validation.”
European strategic autonomy
The call for technological autonomy in Europe is growing louder, which opens up new doors. Xiver wants to play an active role in this story. “We don’t just want to be successful as a company,” says Langendam. “We also want to contribute to strengthening Europe’s position in key technologies such as health, safety, and sustainable systems.”
If Xiver hadn't been founded in Brainport, regions such as Grenoble or Dresden would have been on the shortlist. “But honestly? Knowledge, manufacturing, talent, and entrepreneurship come together so well here that Brainport is the ideal place for us.”
G&A 2025
Every year, we spotlight 10 start-ups from the Brainport region. Each receives a Gerard & Anton Award.
View G&A 2025