Global demand for chips is rising explosively and is even set to double by 2030. Europe wants to reduce its dependence on Asia and the United States and is therefore investing heavily in its own semiconductor sector. Against this backdrop, the ChipNL Competence Centre was launched in October 2025: a one-stop-shop that supports Dutch companies, researchers and educational institutions in innovation, upscaling and collaboration in semiconductor technology.
Managing Director Elly Zwartkruis sees the centre as an essential link in strengthening both the Netherlands and Europe, which is therefore fully in line with the ambitions of the European Chips Act. “The ChipNL Competence Centre is one of 30 competence centres across Europe, forming a large network to jointly promote chip innovation. We are a network organisation that helps entrepreneurs accelerate their progress in the field of semiconductor technology,” she says. “We do this through technical expertise, access to the Chips Design Platform, the EU pilot lines, business development, talent development and internationalisation.”
One-stop shop, nationwide reach
Although Zwartkruis' place of employment is Eindhoven, the centre works emphatically nationwide. "All semicon regions in the Netherlands are connected," Zwartkruis emphasises. "From Delft and Twente to Eindhoven and thus also the Lifeport region. Our centre lowers the barriers for startups and smaller companies. The ChipNL Competence Centre offers them direct access to leading European infrastructures, such as pilot lines and the EU Chips Design Platform. They can also use the facilities and initiatives available in the Netherlands."
Tailor-made guidance
For many SMEs, having their own cleanroom or state-of-the-art laboratory is out of reach. The ChipNL Competence Centre helps them gain access to advanced facilities and supports them throughout the entire innovation process: “We look very closely at an entrepreneur’s specific needs and identify which pilot line or expertise best suits them,” says Zwartkruis. “Entrepreneurs aren’t just referred; they receive genuine support.”
As well as technical support, assistance is provided with the complex matter of grants and funding. “We do not provide funding ourselves, but we guide companies through the landscape of European, national and regional grant and funding opportunities. This overview of funding instruments is essential, particularly for SMEs. This support is provided entirely free of charge thanks to contributions from the European Commission and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy.”
Talent development
The growing demand for chips goes hand in hand with an almost explosive demand for technical talent. Through the national Project Beethoven, the Netherlands is working towards its ambition to train 38,000 new technicians.
“New minors, field labs, cleanrooms and practice-oriented programmes are being introduced,” says Zwartkruis. “We link all these initiatives to the specific needs of businesses. We do this for vocational education (MBO), higher professional education (HBO), universities and professionals seeking further training or a career change. Talent matchmaking events are a key tool for bringing supply and demand together, both for students and for people considering a career change.”
Medtech opportunities in the region
There are many opportunities, particularly in the Lifeport Arnhem-Nijmegen region and in Wageningen, due to the convergence of strong areas of expertise: on the one hand, chip design, packaging and production technology; on the other, a robust medtech ecosystem comprising universities, hospitals and research institutions.
“Energy-efficient, high-performance chips are becoming increasingly important for medical applications and drug development,” explains Zwartkruis. “We want to actively bring together parties from the tech and medical sectors, particularly when they are not yet able to find each other naturally.”
Photonics
The ChipNL Competence Centre sees photonics as a key technology in which the Netherlands is already strong and where there are great future opportunities. "Photonic chips are energy-efficient and efficient and can mean a lot for sectors such as healthcare, sensor technology and communication," Zwartkruis said. "Our centre stimulates innovations and initiates collaborations in this field through targeted workshops, exhibitions and pilot line visits."
Indispensability in the chain
The ChipNL Competence Centre examines the Netherlands’ broader position within the European ecosystem and in the international value chain. Zwartkruis sees opportunities to strengthen the role of the Netherlands, which currently often acts as a supplier. “It’s about being indispensable in the chain,” she explains. “Where does your strength lie, and to what extent does the rest of the value chain depend on your products or services? The Netherlands has a strong position and is working on new innovations to further consolidate this position in the future.”
The centre helps companies scale up, find new markets and future-proof their technology.
Societal challenges
Elly Zwartkruis: “With my background in economic psychology and engineering, I enjoy pioneering innovation. I see the semiconductor industry in particular as holding the key to our societal challenges. It is a wonderful role to work with various parties to make cutting-edge knowledge accessible to the Dutch and European business communities.”
The ambition is clear: “We hope to become the hub of the Dutch semiconductor industry within a year, where companies come together to accelerate innovation and strengthen our international position.”
Lifeport Semicon Event
In the Lifeport region, companies and knowledge institutes work together on innovations in chip technology and chip-packaging. These developments will take centre stage during the Lifeport Semicon Event in January 2026.
