About – FutureChips

General

As a key knowledge institute in the field of semiconductors and photonics in the Netherlands, the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) is committed to attract talent in these domains to Eindhoven and the Brainport region. With the vision of enhancing collaboration, TU/e is leading the organization of the Future Chips Academy, together with academic and industrial partners from the Netherlands and South-Korea.

The main industrial and academic partners are VDL ETG, NXP, Prodrive, PhotonDelta, SMART photonics, High Tech XL, TNO, IMEC, Axelera AI and ASML. Internationally, the academic partners from six top universities in South-Korea (KAIST, SKKU, UNIST, POSTECH, KNU, Hanyang University) will participate in this event.

About the main partners

VDL Enabling Technologies Group (VDL ETG) is part of the Dutch VDL Groep. As a global development and manufacturing company, they cooperate with leading companies in the field of high-tech systems and modules. Thanks to our unique combination of technical knowledge and a high level of craftmanship under one roof, they can always provide a solution, whatever the demand.
The company started its life as Philips Machinefabriek more than 100 years ago. Since then, they have gained a vast amount of technological knowledge and experience. They are now using this expertise to design, develop, manufacture, and produce complex components and systems. These include production equipment for the semiconductor industry, analytical instruments, and medical systems. Products that are characterized by their high complexity and relatively low production runs. Their strengths include developing vacuum systems, fast handling techniques, and high-precision processes. This enables them to support the entire process from design or co-design, value engineering, and supply chain management to production, assembly, quality control, and component testing, including after-sales support.
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NXP Semiconductors N.V. enables a smarter, safer and more sustainable world through innovation. As the world leader in secure connectivity solutions for embedded applications, NXP is pushing boundaries in the automotive, industrial & IoT, mobile, and communication infrastructure markets.
Check out the NXP corporate overview
Check out the NXP technology showroom

Prodrive Technologies is a Dutch high‑tech company headquartered in the Eindhoven region. For more than 30 years, they have been developing and manufacturing advanced electronic, software and mechatronic systems that are used worldwide in mission‑critical applications. They combine deep engineering expertise with high‑volume, highly automated manufacturing — all within one integrated organization.

What they do

They collaborate closely with leading technology companies and machine builders across sectors such as medical & life sciences, semiconductors, infrastructure & energy, mobility and industrial. Their technologies help address key societal challenges, including digitalization, advanced and affordable healthcare, the energy transition and industry 4.0.
From early concept and system architecture to testing, industrialization and lifecycle management, they take full responsibility for complex systems that must perform reliably, every day.

Working at Prodrive Technologies as an electrical engineer

For electrical engineering students and starters, Prodrive Technologies offers an environment where you can make a real impact early in your career. You work in multidisciplinary teams on high‑tech products that are designed, built and produced in‑house. This end‑to‑end approach allows you to see the direct results of your work, learn across technical domains and grow both technically and professionally. We value ownership, initiative and continuous development.

Careers & opportunities

Curious about internships, graduation projects or starter roles?
Explore career opportunities at careers.prodrive-technologies.com.

Their mission: creating meaningful technologies that make the world work

PhotonDelta is a Dutch non-profit organization focused on accelerating the integrated photonics industry in Europe. The organization supports the development and commercialization of photonic chip technology, which enables faster, more energy-efficient solutions for sectors such as telecommunications, healthcare, semiconductors, and data processing. PhotonDelta connects companies, researchers, and investors to strengthen innovation and ecosystem growth within the photonics industry.
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SMART Photonics is a Dutch semiconductor company and independent foundry for integrated photonic chips, located at the High Tech Campus Eindhoven. The company develops Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) that use light instead of electricity, enabling faster and more energy-efficient data processing. SMART Photonics plays a key role in the semiconductor industry by supporting applications in AI, telecommunications, healthcare, sensing, and advanced semiconductor equipment.
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TNO and imec are leading European research and innovation organizations that play a key role in the semiconductor and photonics ecosystem in the Brainport Eindhoven region. Through their collaboration at the Holst Centre on the High Tech Campus Eindhoven, they work together with industry partners, startups, and research institutes to develop next-generation technologies in semiconductors, integrated photonics, AI, and advanced manufacturing. Their joint efforts support innovation in chip development, semiconductor equipment, and high-tech applications, helping strengthen Brainport Eindhoven as a global hub for semicon innovation.
Read more about TNO
Read more about imec Netherlands

ASML is an innovation leader in the semiconductor industry. They provide chipmakers with everything they need – hardware, software and services – to mass produce patterns on silicon through lithography. ASML enables groundbreaking technology to solve some of society’s toughest challenges. Together with their partners, they provide leading patterning solutions that drive the advancement of microchips.
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High Tech XL is a deep-tech venture builder based in Brainport Eindhoven that supports the creation and growth of high-tech startups. The organization connects entrepreneurs, engineers, investors, and technologies from partners such as ASML, Philips, TNO, CERN, and ESA to turn advanced innovations into scalable businesses. HighTechXL plays an important role in the Brainport semiconductor ecosystem by accelerating startups in semiconductors, photonics, AI, and advanced manufacturing technologies.
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International academic partners

KAIST

Established in 1971, KAIST is the first and top science and technology university in Korea. KAIST has been the gateway to advanced science and technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship, and our graduates have been key players behind Korea’ innovations. KAIST will continue to pursue advances in science and technology as well as the economic development of Korea and beyond. KAIST’s main campus is located in Daejeon, 160 km south of Seoul, the capital city of Korea where its College of Business is located. Daejeon, with a population of approximately 1.5 million, serves as a hub of science and innovation in Korea with more than 200 research institutes, including the R&D facilities from the public and private sectors.

UNIST

Located in the heart of Korea’s largest industrial city, Ulsan, South Korea, UNIST has truly become one of the world’s leading science and technology universities since its opening in 2009. UNIST aims to be ranked within the top 10 science and technology universities by 2030. UNIST has its vision to cultivate creative global leaders who will usher in new scientific paradigms through convergence in science and technology,

SKKU

Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) is a national university with 625 years of glorious history and shining tradition and is a representative symbol of a leading university which leads the new era. At the same time, the university has led the development of higher education in Korea by challenging and innovating with a mind for sharing and coexistence. We strive to newly form our own brand worthy of our name which actively embraces global social issues through pioneering of global management. Its Natural Science Campus located in the city of Suwon, the home of the key Korean semiconductor industry, SKKU has been trying to serve as a hub to strengthen the industrial-educational ecosystem.

POSTECH

Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) was established to contribute to Korea and humanity through advanced research in science and engineering, covering both theoretical and practical applications. It aims to nurture global leaders with knowledge and insight through excellent education and to serve society by promoting collaboration among industry, academia, and research institutions, sharing research outcomes with the world. To achieve this mission, POSTECH conducts cutting-edge research in basic science and engineering in partnership with leading global universities and aspires to become a global hub for materials research. It also emphasizes holistic education that fosters integrity, creativity, and a pioneering spirit, while expanding industry-academia cooperation to enhance human well-being.

KNU

Kyungpook National University (KNU) is one of South Korea’s ten flagship national universities, representing Gyeongbuk Province. Founded in September 1946 through the merger of the Colleges of Education, Medicine, and Agriculture in Daegu, KNU has since grown into a leading comprehensive institution comprising 20 colleges and schools. Today, it is the largest national university in Korea, with over 35,000 students and 1,200 full-time faculty members. KNU envisions becoming a regional hub for academic excellence and research, addressing pressing societal challenges such as capital region dominance and an aging population. To realize this vision, KNU is transitioning into a research-oriented institution while expanding its global presence through partnerships with universities worldwide.

HANYANG

Hanyang University was established in 1939 as Korea’s first private engineering university and has since grown into one of the nation’s most prestigious private research institutions. As the pioneer private engineering school, Hanyang has played a vital role in Korea’s industrialization by nurturing skilled engineers and professionals who drive innovation with strong social responsibility.

Hanyang’s main campus is situated in Seoul, a vibrant center of academia and industry, while the ERICA campus in Ansan exemplifies effective industry-academia cooperation. Through interdisciplinary research and global partnerships, Hanyang strives to be a world-class leader in science, technology, and entrepreneurship, addressing global challenges through innovation in semiconductors and beyond.

The university is especially recognized for its outstanding semiconductor education and research capabilities. Equipped with cutting-edge facilities like the Hanyang Semiconductor Research Center and maintaining close collaborations with leading global semiconductor companies, Hanyang significantly contributes to the advancement of Korea’s semiconductor industry. Its research spans from materials science and device engineering to AI-driven semiconductor technologies.