Lifeport Semicon is entering its next phase. Following a period in which its ambitions and long-term plan were further developed in collaboration with businesses, research institutions, educational bodies and public authorities, the focus is now shifting increasingly towards implementation. Susanne van der Velden has been appointed as Director to lead this next phase.
Susanne van der Velden
Lifeport Arnhem-Nijmegen Region holds a strong position within the Dutch semiconductor industry. A large part of the value chain converges in the region: from chip design and production to equipment, advanced packaging and applications. The shared ambition is to enable the cluster to grow further towards 2034 and to strengthen Lifeport’s position within the Dutch and European semiconductor ecosystem.
In the coming years, the focus will be on, amongst other things, advanced packaging, talent, innovation and new business activity. Advanced packaging represents a significant opportunity for the region. At the same time, the sector’s growth requires a great deal of additional technical talent and stronger links between businesses, education and research institutions. Attracting and nurturing innovative companies and start-ups is also a key part of the agenda.
Van der Velden brings extensive experience at the intersection of high-tech, digitalisation, innovation and public-private partnerships. As Programme Manager for Smart Industry & AI at FME, she worked with national and regional high-tech clusters, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and programmes such as NXTGEN High Tech and the Dutch AI Coalition. She also completed her PhD in strategy and innovation management, researching the innovation ecosystem surrounding ASML, and wrote the book ‘Lessons Learned From ASML – Building and sustaining innovation under uncertainty’.
As director, Van der Velden has been tasked with working alongside the partners to further shape the transition from ambition to implementation and to strengthen Lifeport Semicon’s position both nationally and internationally.
Hubert Bruls, Chair of the Lifeport Semicon steering group:
“In the Lifeport Semicon ecosystem, it’s all about connection. In Susanne van der Velden, we have someone who brings different worlds together, speaks the language of our partners and knows how to turn collaboration into shared progress.”
From planning to implementation
The coming period will be dedicated to the further implementation of the multi-year plan. Through this, Lifeport Semicon aims to contribute to the growth of the regional ecosystem, as well as to the Netherlands’ earning capacity and the technological position of both the Netherlands and Europe.
