Dozens of ambassadors take a Deep Dive into essential technologies

Dutch representatives abroad get acquainted with Brainport’s companies and innovation ecosystem 

Today, more than 165 top Dutch diplomats visited Brainport Eindhoven to connect with the business community. These ambassadors represent the Netherlands worldwide. During their annual "return week," they dedicated a day to a deep dive into internationally critical technologies that are being developed in the region, including semiconductors, photonics, quantum technology, and robotics.

 

The ambassadors visited various locations in the region where globally critical technologies are being developed. These technologies contribute to national security, global food supply, and the energy transition. One group of ambassadors visited Signify, where the focus was on dual-use technology development for defense. Another group visited Eindhoven University of Technology to discuss the strength and future of the Dutch semiconductor industry. A third group toured The Chocolate Factory in Veghel, where they explored smart technologies for the food processing industry. A final group was introduced to design innovations by the Dutch Design Foundation. 

Brainport: A Crucial European High-Tech Hub 
Following the in-depth site visits, the ambassadors gathered at the High Tech Campus Eindhoven for a plenary conference, opened by Minister Klever of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation. Jeroen Dijsselbloem, Chairman of the Brainport Foundation, welcomed the ambassadors and companies that were present. The conference served as a prime venue for bringing these two worlds together. 

"Over the past decade our region has developed into a key driver of the Dutch economy and a crucial high-tech hub in Europe, thanks to intensive collaboration between government, industry, and knowledge and educational institutions," Dijsselbloem explained to the ambassadors. "It’s not just major companies like ASML, NXP, and Philips that work on key technologies for today and tomorrow, but also startups, scale-ups, and countless SMEs. Our region now boasts nearly 7,000 companies in the high-tech sector!" 

Collaboration as the Key to Success 
In his speech, Dijsselbloem highlighted the immense importance of cooperation between regional businesses, knowledge institutions, and governments. "Collaboration is the key word in this region—within the so-called triple helix and among businesses and knowledge institutions themselves. It’s a two- or even three-way street. Sometimes the government helps businesses move forward, and sometimes it’s the other way around. Companies here take shared responsibility for social and societal challenges. The fact that the regional business community takes responsibility for the society it is part of—that makes me very proud." 

A Top Region for Startups, Innovation, and Jobs that Shape the Future of the Netherlands 
After Dijsselbloem, Minister Klever also addressed the attendees, emphasizing the importance of the Brainport ecosystem. "This is the place where the Netherlands excels. There are very few other regions where industry contributes so significantly to our economic growth. Brainport is a top region for startups, for innovation, and for employment. The high-tech sector alone accounted for 81,000 jobs in 2023. Jobs that contribute to the future of all Dutch citizens. Innovation, courage, and growth—that’s what made the Netherlands a global trade leader. We are the 18th largest economy in the world, and we earn more than a third of our income abroad. That success is thanks to you—and something to be proud of!"