High Tech Campus Eindhoven has long been known as the smartest square kilometer in Europe. Perhaps one reason for that is because it’s home to more than 100 fast-moving startups and scale-ups, including Axelera AI, Intrinsic ID (now Synopsys) and Nearfield Instruments – more than one-third of nearly 300 companies.
For years, HTCE’s focus has been providing the perfect ecosystem to nourish fragile startups and scaleups, including Europe’s largest startup hub.
Now, the entire Campus is all about startups and scale-ups, with renovations of thousands of square meters of choice space in multiple buildings. For example, HTC 32 has organically transformed into a scale-up building, where Carbyon and inPhocal opened offices since launching at HTC 27.
2024 has been a year of big funding news for startups and scale-ups at HTCE as well.
Nearfield Instruments announced in July 2024 it had raised €135M in a Series C funding round. The funding round is the second largest capital raise in the semiconductor fabrication equipment market in Europe and the U.S. in the past five years, according to Mergermarket. Direct air capture scale-up Carbyon announced in early September 2024 it had closed a Series A funding round of €15.3M.
These are just a few of the nearly 300 companies on Campus, from global chip supplier NXP (HTC 60) – a spin-off of Philips – to startups and scale-ups pioneering in AI, immersive technologies, semiconductor and integrated photonics.
In short, everything is here, an entire startup and scale-up ecosystem. And we’re just getting started.
See our startup and scale-up landing page for more articles and information HTCE's vibrant ecosystem.
High Tech Campus is a place to start, scale and STAY. As your new company grows, the Campus is growing with you, with office space, technical facilities and support that allow you to scale easily.
HTCE started out as Philips NatLab, a closed research and development campus where the tech giant developed many consumer products, including the compact disc. Fast forward to 2024, and High Tech Campus is still fertile breeding ground for open innovation. Here, companies turn technology into business, with more than 100 startups and scale-up companies listed on the website directory.
High Tech Campus is a place to start, scale and STAY. As your company grows, the Campus is growing with you, with office space, technical facilities and support that allow you to scale easily. To make things easy, we created a comprehensive guide for you that bundles information about the entire startup and scale-up ecosystem. Download the PDF and tap into this buzzing community!
In years past, HTCE was known for having Europe’s largest “startup hub.” There are several buildings on Campus dedicated to startups and scale-ups, but now the entire Campus is the “hub.”
You need technology before you can turn it into a business. At HTCE, there are several knowledge institutes developing technologies and working with startups and scale-ups to develop applications and products with massive potential for impact.
TNO (HTC 21, 25, 29 & 31) is an independent, not-for-profit applied science research organization whose mission is to create impactful innovations for the sustainable well-being and prosperity of society. The 90-year-old organization has a robust technology transfer program to take technological innovations to the market, for example by setting up spin-off companies. HTCE-based TNO spin-offs include Carbyon, Nearfield Instruments, AIKON Health, Keiron and LionVolt.
imec (HTC 31) With more than 5,500 employees from more than 95 nationalities, imec is the world's largest independent research center in nanoelectronics and digital technology. In addition to research into advanced semiconductor technology and integrated photonics, imec's work includes artificial intelligence and data processing, sensor solutions for smart healthcare, technology for renewable energy, solutions for smart cities and 5G communications.
Holst Centre (HTC 31) is a unique research and innovation center specializing in health technologies and flexible and wireless electronics, powered by the shared expertise of imec and TNO. imec was an early investor in HTCE-based Axelera AI and continues to support the scale-up. “We see imec as a long-term partner who can support us from selecting the right technologies all the way to volume production … a one stop shop for deep-tech hardware development is nothing less than unique,” said Fabrizio del Maffeo, Axelera AI CEO.
In the 2024 Global Innovation Index report, Eindhoven sits at the #3 position, just below Cambridge (UK) and San Francisco and just above Oxford (UK) and Boston-Cambridge (USA). In the past five years, there were 7,893 patent applications. The leading scientific institution is Philips.
For a high tech or deep tech startup, protecting intellectual property is crucial to growth, and there are several patent offices at HTCE.
The Netherlands Patent Office RVO (HTC 27) helps entrepreneurs and inventors with questions relating to Intellectual Property. Startups who want to know more about protecting their innovations, IP rights, licenses or collaborations can go to RVO for advice. The team helps startups, scale-ups and other SMEs free of charge.
LIOC Patents & Trademarks (HTC 27) is an international patent, trademark and design firm. They conduct searches, handle prosecution matters, offer intellectual property watch and dispute mediation services, and provides support during legal proceedings concerning patents, trademarks and designs. LIOC holds open office hours for startups at their HTC 27 office.
V.O. Patents & Trademarks (HTC 84) is one of the largest independent Intellectual Property firms in Europe, offering services in patent and trademark protection, as well as market and engineering intelligence in terms of IP. V.O. is involved in the early stage of the startup process, providing guidance and support in defining and refining a startup’s goals and strategies. (Read the article about V.O. Patents & Trademarks’ 18-year history at HTCE.)
Magnuss & Weiss (HTC 27) helps startups and scale-ups navigate legal risks. They specialize in technology contracts, IP/IT, legal risk management, data protection and compliance as well as startup assistance, short-term legal support and legal training courses.
Tech companies are born from just an idea. Next comes the technology. Then comes the testing and validation of the technology. At HTCE, we have the technical facilities and clean room space startups need to test their technology. You can find all the technical spaces on the HTCE website.
SBMC’s Pilot Production Facility bridges innovative research and practical application of smart biomaterials. The new facility at HTC 11 – opening in 2025 – includes four cleanrooms, operated at GMP-C (ISO-6 or ISO-7 conditions), covering 400 square meters, alongside a shared quality control lab, office space and storage areas.
Vention Technologies (HTC 27) works across multiple sectors, including sports and health, energy transition, agritech, and industrial applications, delivering reliable and scalable solutions. Vention’s expertise covers every stage of the development process, from ideation to production, ensuring that every project is tailored to meet specific needs. Vention specializes in modular product design, embedded electronics and software development, sensor and actuator integration and connective and smart solutions.
Enginio (HTC 29), leveraging decades of design and manufacturing expertise to develop feasible solutions and accelerating innovation. Enginio works with startups with complex prototyping needs to develop mechatronic prototypes and production on any scale.
Philips Instrumentation Services (HTC 37) provides startups and scale-ups with the specific measuring instruments they may need. Philips Instrumentation Services calibrates and repairs oscilloscopes, maintains microscopes and advises companies on how to best use their electrical instrumentation.
Eurofins Material Analysis Lab (HTC 11) specializes in the materials analysis and reliability investigation of high tech materials and products. Eurofins’ specific expertise includes, for example, chemical analysis and physical inspection of materials and objects, chemical compatibility and contamination control.
Eurofins Reliability Lab (HTC 7) offers services ranging from environmental simulation and Highly Accelerated Lifetime Testing (HALT) to mechanical testing and permeability testing, ideal for the pre-qualification phase of startups.
The Signify EMC and Wireless Connectivity Lab (HTC 26) is ISO17025 accredited and focuses on lighting, medical, semiconductor and IoT/RF products and systems. As part of the Signify Innovation team, it fully understands the challenges startups go through during product development and release.
Adding to the mix of ingredients necessary for successful startups and scale-ups, there are two organizations that help founders build their companies from the ground up, each with a different focus and proven program.
HighTechXL (HTC 27) is the Netherlands’ only deep-tech venture builder. It began as a high tech hardware accelerator in 2013 but pivoted to building deep-tech ventures in 2018. Scale-ups Carbyon, inPhocal and Incooling are all HTXL alumni ventures with transformative technology originally sourced at TNO and CERN and which they have developed their own intellectual property.
LUMO Labs (HTC 6a) is venture builder and investment fund focused on emerging digital technologies that are pivotal for achieving the UNSDGs. LUMO Labs announced a new €100M fund – the LUMO Rise Fund – in July 2024. LUMO Labs has invested in 23 impact startups such as Autoscriber, Whispp and alphabeats, which is also a HTXL alumnus. With the new fund, LUMO Labs will invest in 30-35 additional impact-driven digital technology startups.
See our startup and scale-up landing page for more articles and information HTCE's vibrant ecosystem.
The High Tech Campus startup ecosystem grew organically over the years but as new technologies emerged, HTCE developed innovation hubs where startups, scale-ups and other related companies focus on specific technology verticals.
AI Innovation Center (HTC 5), which opened in 2021, is an open innovation facility founded by HTCE, Philips, Signify, ASML and NXP. The mission of the innovation hub is to industrialize Artificial Intelligence technologies in the Brainport Eindhoven region. The AI Innovation Center brings together technology companies, platform and service providers, research and educational institutes and other ecosystem partners in a shared facility. The AI Innovation Center hosts many events for the Applied AI community, including the monthly startup Lunch & Learn events.
3EALITY (HTC 37) is HTCE’s fifth innovation hub which officially opened in October 2024. 3EALITY fosters an ecosystem of innovators working on spatial computing, immersive technologies, digital twin technology and more. At 3EALITY, the community of innovators works on applications and business models, supports partners and residents in showcasing business solutions and educates the market by organizing events and initiating educational programs with universities. 3EALITY offers flex desk space, office spaces and technical facilities centered around a large community area, encouraging collaboration.
For high tech and deep tech startups to grow, they need funding. At High Tech Campus, there are several investors in close proximity to promising startups and scale-ups, including some of Europe’s most active and well-funded venture firms.
DeepTechXL (HTC 27) is a €110M investment fund for deep-tech startups. Founded by Guus Frericks, who also co-founded HighTechXL, the fund has invested in nine deep-tech startups since closing the fund, including HTCE residents alphabeats, inPhocal, Gilbert, Keiron and Senergetics.
Innovation Industries (HTC 41) announced a €500M investment fund in May 2024, also investing in deep-tech startups and scale-ups. While Innovation Industries invests in deep-tech companies in the Benelux and Germany, they see up close the promising startups at HTCE. Innovation Industries has invested in HTCE-based Carbyon, Axelera AI, LionVolt, SMART Photonics, EFFECT Photonics and Nearfield Instruments.
Being in close proximity to venture builders, investors, research institutions and other founders and entrepreneurs is a key component to the success of HTCE’s startup ecosystem, including access to some of the most successful entrepreneurs in the Netherlands at multiple events.
With more than 12,000 researchers, developers and entrepreneurs on Campus, however, you may not meet everyone who will help you along your startup journey.
That’s where High Tech Campus leverages its network and platforms to facilitate innovation and bring people together, sponsoring events specifically for startups and scale-ups.
High Tech Campus Eindhoven is a proud sponsor of the Gerard & Anton Awards, which celebrated its 10th annual event in July 2024. The coveted awards are given to the ten most promising startups in the Brainport region. Now there are 100 startups who have received the award, enough to mine some interesting data. An Innovation Origins study two years ago showed Gerard & Anton Award winners are more likely to be successful than other startups.
Another long-running startup event is Drinks, Pitches & Demos. The monthly event draws 80+ attendees who pitch their ideas or ask for help from the community and attendees. The ecosystem spans HTCE, student startup teams at TU Eindhoven, multinationals, SMEs and other service providers. DPD is held the first Wednesday of every month.
In 2023, we introduced the Lunch & Learn series, a monthly lunch break knowledge-sharing series for startups and scale-ups. It’s a free event held at the AI Innovation Center where entrepreneurs and founders can do a deep dive on topics that will help them grow. Speakers have covered topics such as how to manage explosive growth, mastering the art of the press release, what investors look for in pitch decks and the importance of patents and trademarks, among others.
High Tech Next is a bi-annual event featuring inspiring keynotes, panel discussions and live demos from innovative Campus companies. High Tech Next is scheduled for November 20, 2024, where 20 HTCE startups and scale-ups will do live demos of their technology and network with key industry leaders, innovators and decision-makers. See our event page for all upcoming events.
At High Tech Campus, the marketing, communications and events team is here to support startups and scale-ups grow and thrive in our rich ecosystem.
The MarCom team helps promote startup and scale-up company events through our events page on our website. HTCE residents can add their own events through the event page portal. We also post events on our “narrowcast” screens throughout HTCE buildings and on the coffee machines.
We also promote job openings on our jobs page on the HTCE website. Companies can list vacancies through the job portal. According to Carbyon CEO Hans De Neve, “We advertise our vacancies through the channels of the High Tech Campus. This is a major pool of potential candidates. Carbyon is quite visible on the High Tech Campus. People know about it, and I think we do see a lot of candidates that have seen our vacancies and then apply via the careers page.”
See our website with all the facilities and services listings.
As part of the vibrant ecosystem at HTCE, you’re surrounded by like-minded people. You’ll be neighbors with tech giants who want to collaborate; neighbors such as Lars Reger, CTO of NXP, who, at an AI Innovation Center event on Campus, invited startups to work with NXP.
In fact, a collaboration between ASML and Incooling in 2020 resulted in the first CoSta Award for the most successful and impactful innovative collaboration between a corporate company and a startup. And that led to a successful pilot project, marking a significant breakthrough in high-performance computing (HPC) server performance.
The magic behind the success starts with the Campus team anticipating all your needs and creating an environment that you’ll never need to leave … or want to leave. That includes a full suite of services and amenities, starting with custom office offerings and including adding more technical space, such as clean rooms.
Other long-term expansion plans on Campus include temporary housing and a more vibrant social scene, according to HTCE CEO Otto van den Boogaard. This still needs to fit into the zoning plan, but the Campus is aiming for “several hundred” units.
“Consider stays ranging from a week to six months, as many of our companies have a great need for this, especially for their new employees coming from abroad or for temporary colleagues who are only here for a project,” said Otto. “Apart from our own needs, such a facility would also fit beautifully into the larger picture of housing demand in our region.”
With the arrival of these residences, the social component becomes even more important, Otto says. “We want to offer that pleasant environment even after working hours. Think of restaurants with longer opening hours, lectures, perhaps concerts. Eating, drinking, and networking are just as much part of our concept as the development of a new photonic chip. This also helps in ‘turning technology into business.’ By the way, besides evenings, I think we could also open more frequently on Saturdays.”
HTCE is increasingly the go-to location for advanced companies. “The Campus has a hundred different nationalities,” said Hilde de Vocht, Head of Ecosystem at HTCE. “The enormous site now has 300,000 square meters in use. There is room for even more buildings: another 100,000 square meters can be added, and that is also the intention. This will increase the number of people. The Campus now has 12,000 people. “Within ten years, we want to grow to 18,000 employees.”
At the High Tech NEXT in November 2024, HTCE announced it is developing more than 100,000 m² of additional space for companies and institutes with a strong focus on Research & Development and pilot production. Construction of two new technical buildings totaling approximately 17,000 m² will start in mid-2025. This expansion will meet the great need for technical space. In addition, HTCE has sufficient capacity on its energy grid to make this expansion possible. Read the article.
High Tech Campus is a place to start, scale and STAY. As your company grows, the Campus is growing with you, with office space, technical facilities and support that allow you to scale easily. Download our comprehensive guide and join the HTCE ecosystem. for you that bundles information about the entire startup and scale-up ecosystem.
With more than one-third of High Tech Campus companies listed as startups and scale-ups on our company directory, it’s impossible to include detailed information about each of them here. If you would like us to feature your use case or showcase your startup/scale-up story, feel free to reach out to us: marcom@hightechcampus.com.