Define tomorrow - Commit to Key Enabling Technologies
On July 1st, we brought together innovators, partners, and policymakers for an inspiring NETWORKING EVENT centered on the Dutch National Technology Strategy and the transformative power of Key Enabling Technologies. From quantum to photonics and energy materials, the event highlighted how these innovations are driving solutions to global challenges and shaping a resilient, future-proof economy. With a strong focus on collaboration, both within the Netherlands and across Europe, participants explored how we can collectively commit to the technologies that will define tomorrow. The event showcased the strength of the Dutch high tech ecosystem and the momentum behind our shared ambition: to lead the way in global innovation.
Aftermovie
Watch the highlights of our NETWORKING EVENT 2025 where innovators, partners, and policymakers
came together to shape the future of technology and strengthen the Dutch high tech ecosystem.
Status Quo | Jeroen Heijs, Peter Stolk & Leo Warmerdam
Holland High Tech Chairman Peter Stolk and Executive Director Leo Warmerdam guided the audience through the key developments and priorities during the Status Quo. They reflected on the successes of the past year and shared insights into the Programme Council, the Innovation Domains, and the Innovation Councils. Attendees also heard more about the current and upcoming programmes, projects, and calls. In addition, they highlighted the crucial role of Key Enabling Technologies in the high tech sector, discussed the National Technology Strategy and the associated Action Agendas, and elaborated on Holland High Tech’s role, both now and in the future.
Peter Stolk, Chairman Holland High Tech:
''The high tech industry and the key enabling technologies are completely integrated. The high tech industry is fully dependent on the Netherlands being strong in each of the key enabling technology domains and this will drive the competitiveness and the economic advantages in our industry. The next step for key enabling technologies is to translate the overall agenda into clear actions. And this will drive innovation, but also the next steps in bringing new technologies to the market.
If you're not yet connected and you really feel you can contribute, especially in the area of the key enabling technologies, reach out and contribute.''
Leo Warmerdam, Executive Director Holland High Tech:
''The importance of the high-tech industry for key enabling technologies is very large. As a matter of fact, each technology is leading to products that this technology can deliver. We need to build technologies that ultimately deliver the solutions of the future.''
Jeroen Heijs, director Innovation and Knowledge at the Ministry of Economic Affairs joined the discussion with Peter and Simone on the need for stronger alignment between market demands and public investments in innovation.
"The National Technology Strategy (NTS) helps us sharpen our focus on key enabling technologies. It serves as a practical guide—not only for the government but also for the wider innovation ecosystem. Right now, we are working to make the NTS more concrete and actionable. Holland High Tech plays an important role in this process and is among the first to align with the NTS. The same goes for the KIA ST (Knowledge and Innovation Agenda Key Enabling Technologies), which is fully committed to the NTS through initiatives such as the ten Action Agendas."
Keynote | Arnaud de Jong | TNO
At the event, TNO’s Managing Director, Arnaud de Jong shared how the Netherlands can stay competitive amid global shifts, drawing on the Draghi report and TNO’s Vector analysis. He stressed the need for strategic focus and public-private collaboration, and outlined how we can build Dutch control points in global value chains.
''The Netherlands risks losing its industrial backbone, and we’re not building a new one to replace it. This isn’t a startup problem. It’s a scaling crisis. To stay in the global race, we must invest boldly in high-tech megaclusters around the most strategic key enabling technologies. Without them, there will be no new ASMLs, and no future-proof economy.''
The Innovation Race | Arnaud de Jong
TNO’s Vector analysis
Vision Paper High-Tech Megaclusters
Whitepaper 'De Staat van Nederland Innovatieland 2024'
Pass the mic interviews
During the 'pass the mic' interviews led by Simone van Trier, Gerold de Valk (FSO Instruments), Oana van der Togt (Nederlands Lucht- en Ruimtevaartcentrum), Tamas Erkelens (Ministerie van Defensie), Guus Rijnders (University of Twente), Arco Krijgsman (ASML) and Fabien Bruning (FononTech) explored how the Netherlands can take the lead in semiconductors, quantum and other Key Enabling Technologies. Key topics included scaling up dual-use innovation for defense, strengthening public-private collaboration, and enhancing the country’s international positioning.
Electric Superbike Twente and Project MARCH showed their inspiring work, proving how student teams can drive real-world impact.
In collaboration with industry partners
This event is co-organized by Holland High Tech industry partners: