Editor's note: This article is written by Koen Chatrou and is featured in the High Tech Campus special edition of Frits Magazine. It is published here with permission.
If you think High Tech Campus Eindhoven (HTCE) is just a collection of buildings, you need to see it for yourself. Or have a conversation with Elsbeth Smit and Jeroen Triepels. They are part of HTCE Site Management and are eager to share how, on the edge of the Genneper Parks, an ecosystem has emerged that forms a key foundation for the innovative developments in the Brainport region.
Elsbeth Smit, Director of Business Development, and Jeroen Triepels, Director of Operations at HTCE Site Management, are part of the team driving the Campus’ development and growth. Today, HTCE is home to around 300 companies with approximately 12,000 employees, but it’s ready for the next phase: expanding to about 20,000 employees by 2030.
At its core, the Campus provides housing for companies of all sizes, from solo entrepreneurs and tech startups to scale-ups, SMEs, institutes, and large multinationals—all with a link to technology.
So, what makes HTCE so unique? Jeroen explains: “We provide tailored facilities for tech-oriented companies, understanding that businesses, especially those in growth phases, require specific types of space. Whether it’s offices, labs, cleanrooms, or workshops, we can accommodate it all.” He adds that companies’ needs often change quickly as they develop rapidly. “We adapt to these changes. We’re flexible and align ourselves with the needs of our residents.”
How does Site Management know what companies need? “We keep in constant dialogue with the companies here. We follow their journey and quickly respond to their evolving demands. While surprises from global companies do happen, we usually see the trends coming.”
Elsbeth Smit, Director of Business Development, and
Jeroen Triepels, Director of Operations at HTCE Site Management.
Photography: Charlotte Verhagen - DCI Media.
In addition to providing space, Site Management offers a range of other services. “We take care of everything,” Elsbeth says. “From technical maintenance to secure internet, coffee and tea, parking, public transport options, a variety of restaurants, safe waste disposal—including chemical waste—and a green, inspiring work environment. We call it a full-service package.”
They also hold an overarching environmental permit, given the chemical materials used by many companies on-site. “We have a facility that stores about 8,000 different chemicals in various quantities. Whatever our residents need—emergency power, compressed air, oxygen—you name it, we’ve got it.”
As HTCE has grown, so has the need for supporting businesses. Jeroen notes: “That supporting layer is here, too, allowing companies to connect quickly. What kinds of businesses? Better to ask, which aren’t here? Car rentals, HR services, expat services, grant consultants, advisory services, a bank, and even a patent office.” A patent office? “Yes, and it makes sense. Nearly half of all patents granted in the Netherlands come from this one square kilometer.”
Discover how High Tech Campus Eindhoven can support your company’s growth with labs, cleanrooms, and industrial spaces. Download the comprehensive resource guide by clicking this link.
Walking along The Strip, the Campus’ central meeting hub, it’s clear that this is unlike any typical business park. There are restaurants with diverse cuisines, cafes, shops, a conference center, childcare facilities, a farm, sports facilities including a padel court and sports forest, a wellness center, and even a bike repair shop. “Companies don’t come here just for office space,” Jeroen explains. “They want to be part of an ecosystem—a system that fosters connections, knowledge-sharing, and innovation. Over 100 nationalities work here, leveraging innovation hubs and each other’s expertise.”
The Strip, High Tech Campus Eindhoven
Sharing knowledge, also known as Open Innovation, is a cornerstone of the Brainport region and the Campus. “Our mission is to bring like-minded people together,” Elsbeth says. “Companies want to grow, and we help facilitate that growth. Here, people share a passion for improving the world through technological solutions. It’s our job to help them connect, whether through targeted matchmaking between companies, frequent conversations with entrepreneurs, or organizing events—be it sports activities, networking gatherings, or knowledge-sharing sessions. We have a fantastic ecosystem, but it requires constant maintenance.”
Does Open Innovation mean companies are willing to share knowledge, even with competitors? Jeroen says, “Absolutely. Knowledge sharing is in the DNA of modern businesses. Everyone knows the limits of what can and cannot be shared. It works well. Innovators understand that collaboration is essential to progress—you can’t innovate in isolation.” Elsbeth adds, “The world outside your company is much larger than what’s inside.
Other companies are discovering and creating things you can use, so why reinvent the wheel? At the same time, others benefit from your knowledge. That’s how we advance together. I think it’s also part of the Brabant culture—a willingness to help and collaborate wherever possible.”
The coming years will focus on scaling up. The Brainport region expects to add around 50,000 jobs by 2032. Elsbeth explains, “Approximately 6,000 of those jobs will be on HTCE, focusing on innovation, research, and development. Our job is to facilitate that growth.”
“No problem,” Jeroen says confidently. “We’re already preparing for it. We anticipate needing an additional 150,000 square meters of facilities. This will make the Campus even more innovative and international. Of course, we recognize challenges, such as housing. Temporary housing on the Campus? Why not? As long as we preserve the area’s green character. Challenges are inevitable, but the willingness to strengthen this region together is evident. Within this remarkable ecosystem, we’ll continue to do our part.”
Discover how High Tech Campus Eindhoven can support your company’s growth with labs, cleanrooms, and industrial spaces. Download the comprehensive resource guide by clicking this link.
