From February 10 to 12, 2025, the Innovation & Inspiration Tour Semicon Equipment took place in Brabant, The Netherlands. This event strengthened the collaboration between the Japanese and Dutch semiconductor industries. Organized by the Brabant Development Agency (BOM) in collaboration with the Semiconductor Equipment Association of Japan (SEAJ) and The Dutch Embassy in Tokyo, this tour showcased the power of international cooperation and technological advancement.
Innovation & Inspiration Tour 2025
Day 1: Collaboration and Innovation
The tour began with a welcome from Brabant Development Agency (BOM), followed by presentations from Holland HighTech and ASML on innovation and partnerships. Participants explored the ASML Experience Center to see the latest technologies. This provided insights into cutting-edge innovations and opportunities for strategic partnerships. The day continued with a visit to VDL ETG, where presentations and group discussions focused on collaborations within the semiconductor supply chain, allowing companies to explore potential synergies and joint ventures.
Day 2: Outsourced Design and Engineering
The second day included a visit to DEMCON, with presentations and tours highlighting the company's expertise in outsourced design and engineering. Discussions focused on best practices as well as the risks and rewards of such collaborations. This day was particularly beneficial for Japanese companies looking to understand the Dutch approach to outsourced engineering as they showcased their capabilities. In the afternoon, participants visited Prodrive, where they discussed cultural differences, confidentiality, and communication, fostering a deeper understanding and building trust between the two business cultures.
Day 3: The Broader Deeptech Ecosystem
The final day included a visit to NTS, with presentations and tours emphasizing the synergy between industry and academia. Discussions centered on major Dutch innovation programs and their role in fostering collaborative innovation. This provided Japanese companies with a comprehensive view of the ‘Dutch innovation ecosystem’ and how they can integrate into this ecosystem. The afternoon was spent at the High Tech Campus Eindhoven (HTCE), with presentations from TNO/Holst, HighTech XL, and HighTech NL. These sessions highlighted the collaborative innovation ecosystem and offered both Japanese and Dutch companies a platform to discuss future collaborative projects. The day concluded with a networking reception, offering the perfect opportunity to forge new connections and strengthen existing ones.
This tour has not only led to numerous business opportunities, but it also ensured that the Japanese participants now have a deeper understanding of the 'ecosystem' concept. They better understand how companies work together in Brabant, laying the foundation for even stronger international cooperation going forward.
At first, I couldn't understand the meaning of “ecosystem” as the Dutch people were saying. But during the three-day tour, I completely understand the importance of the ecosystem. I would like to join such kind of ecosystem.
Additionally, the concept of ‘open innovation’ has become clearer too - how companies in Brabant share knowledge, resources, and collaborate on joint projects to drive innovation forward. These insights into the interconnectedness of companies, the shared resources, and the partnerships that contribute to the success of the Brabant economy will undoubtedly lead to better collaboration, knowledge exchange, and joint projects between Japan and The Netherlands.
The Innovation & Inspiration Tour Semicon Equipment was a journey of discovery, collaboration, and inspiration. It laid the groundwork for future partnerships between Japanese and Dutch companies, promising a future of shared innovation and technological breakthroughs. The tour provided invaluable insights, fostered mutual understanding, and opened doors to new collaborative opportunities.
We look forward to continuing this momentum, building relationships, and celebrating the small successes along the way. Thank you to everyone for making this event a success. Arigatō Gozaimashita and until next time!
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