The ChipNL Competence Centre was launched in December 2024, providing an additional boost to innovation and capabilities within the Dutch semiconductor industry.
Established in alignment with the EU Chips Act, the centre aims to advance technological expertise and foster innovation across the Dutch semiconductor ecosystem. A €12 million budget, jointly allocated by the European Commission and the Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland (RVO), will fund the initiative over the next four years.
This four-year programme seeks to strengthen the Dutch semiconductor industry by stimulating innovation, fostering collaboration, and developing talent. The goal is to enhance the global competitiveness of the Netherlands and Europe in semiconductor technologies. As part of the European Chips Act, the ChipNL Competence Centre will serve as a national hub for research, development, and collaboration between industry, government, and knowledge institutions. It will contribute to accelerating innovation, developing talent, and strengthening Europe’s semiconductor value chain.
The ChipNL Competence Centre is a collaborative effort involving Brainport Development, ChipTech Twente, High Tech NL, TNO, JePPIX, imec, and regional development organisations OostNL, BOM, and InnovationQuarter. The centre focuses on supporting and connecting Dutch SMEs, startups, and scaleups within the semiconductor value chain. Priority areas include semiconductor manufacturing equipment, chip design, integrated photonics, quantum technologies, and heterogeneous integration.
JePPIX, a European platform promoting integrated photonics, is coordinated by Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). TU/e contributes expertise in managing the photonic integrated circuits developer community, complementing the Netherlands’ electronic chip design capabilities with photonic and heterogeneous techniques.
The ChipNL Competence Centre provides the following support to the semiconductor ecosystem:
- Access to pilot lines: SMEs, startups, and multinationals can access European pilot lines to test and validate new technologies in advanced environments
- Innovative design platform: an EU Chips Act-supported platform will help the industry design and develop customised semiconductor solutions, with TNO, imec, and JePPIX leading these efforts
- Talent development: in collaboration with EU Skills Initiatives and the Microchip Talent Reinforcement Plan (Project Beethoven), the centre will promote new skills and strengthen the labour market for the semiconductor sector. Brainport Development and ChipTech Twente will lead this effort
- Funding opportunities: the centre supports companies in accessing EU Chip Fund grants to stimulate innovative projects. Regional organisations OostNL, InnovationQuarter, BOM, and High Tech NL oversee these activities
- Business development and internationalisation: the centre assists in business development, fundraising, and identifying innovation opportunities to help companies compete globally
By connecting industry players and supporting key areas, the ChipNL Competence Centre aims to position the Netherlands as a hub for semiconductor innovation while contributing to broader European goals.
This funding provides a foundation for strengthening the knowledge and competitiveness of the Dutch chip industry. Through pilot line access, design platforms, financing opportunities, and talent development programmes, the ChipNL Competence Centre seeks to empower Dutch SMEs and startups to thrive in the global market.
About the EU Chips Act
The EU Chips Act is a legislative framework designed to bolster Europe’s semiconductor capabilities. It aims to drive investments, foster collaboration, and establish a network of competence centres, ensuring Europe’s leadership in this strategically vital industry.
