‘During the HTOR, we make groundbreaking innovations accessible’
High Tech Campus Eindhoven is a place many people have heard of. What goes on behind all those doors? During the High Tech Discovery Route (HTOR), young and old alike get a glimpse behind the scenes. From start-ups making AI more efficient to world-firsts in photonics. ‘Groundbreaking technological innovations are taking place here,’ says Kelly Antonis, communications & events professional at the Campus. ‘During the HTOR, companies manage to translate complex technology into something everyone can understand and add an experiential element to it.’
More than three hundred companies, over a hundred start-ups, the place responsible for forty per cent of all Dutch patent applications. High Tech Campus Eindhoven. ‘And that’s exactly the intention,’ explains Kelly. ‘We want to be the Campus where companies are keen to set up shop, because they strengthen each other here, meet one another, and because innovation happens here. That’s why we host many events and join the High Tech Discovery Route once every two years.’
Neighbours
The concept is now rock-solid: a glimpse into some of the companies on the Campus, such as NXP, Philips and Signify, as well as a number of spaces where several companies present themselves together. Such as the Conference Centre on The Strip and Building 37, where start-ups and scale-ups like Axelera AI, SMART Photonics, Playsight and VRinSchool showcase what they have to offer. Steven Feenstra (community & events manager, innovation hubs) is closely involved in this. ‘The demos in Building 37 are very hands-on. Think VR, motion capture suits and facial recognition on screens. These are things that really appeal to children and families.’
Children and families are certainly well catered for. ‘But we also see, for example, older people who want to have a look around here, or employees who proudly bring friends and family along,’ explains Kelly. ‘The PSV bus doing a tour and the PSV trophy go down well with everyone,’ she laughs.
Incidentally, the fact that companies are opening their doors on 13 June has little to do with recruiting new staff or customers. ‘Companies simply enjoy giving something back to the community,’ says Steven. ‘New talent is of course always welcome, but that’s certainly not the aim. It’s a bonus.’ Kelly agrees. ‘Employees from different companies really do pop in to see each other here. It feels as though they’re neighbours. And on 13 June, you’re inviting the whole neighbourhood.’
Student Base
This year, the Student Base is also opening its doors for the first time, a place where educational institutions, students and companies come together. That’s not surprising, as the Campus has close ties with Fontys and TU/e. That collaboration is becoming increasingly formal and visible. Kelly: ‘Now we’re giving it a proper space, and in an Italian restaurant where many company employees eat. Students can literally pull up a chair at the table.’
Although there are plenty of light-hearted activities during the HTOR, such as the wide variety of food trucks, there is also room for surprising content. The world’s first pilot factory for photonic chips on this scale is currently being built on the Campus. These are chips that operate using light rather than electricity.
‘A collaboration between TNO and various companies. A fine example of how businesses within the Brainport region and on the Campus keep finding ways to work together,’ says Steven. Kelly adds: ‘We therefore warmly encourage everyone to take a look at the other locations participating in the HTOR as well. We’re doing this together.’
High Tech Ontdekkingsroute 2026
On Saturday 13 June, leading companies in the Brainport region will be opening their doors to the public. This will give everyone access to worlds that are normally off-limits.
Across the region, companies are joining forces to offer a wide-ranging programme packed with technology to discover and experience.
There is plenty to do for everyone, and certainly for children too: they can get hands-on, experiment and discover how technology works through play.
Visit DAF Trucks, High Tech Campus, Strijp-T, AAE, Automotive Campus, Thermo Fisher Scientific, ASML, VDL ETG, Microstad and the TU/e Campus.
You can find more information and all the venues by clicking the button below.
More information