High Tech Industry

The Dutch high-tech sector is a research and development hub that plays an essential role in European and global solutions to society’s greatest challenges. From advances in healthcare to sustainable energy, from increased security to mitigating climate change. TNO High Tech Industry works with local, regional, and international partners to enable effective, sustainable, and revolutionary technological innovation.

Building Dutch control points through High-Tech Megaclusters

In an era where technological advancements dictate the pace of global competitiveness, the Netherlands stands at a critical juncture. To maintain and enhance our economic and technological resilience, it is imperative that we invest strategically through the development of new High-Tech Megaclusters.

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A partner in change

TNO High Tech Industry adapts to the ever-changing needs of the highly competitive Dutch high-tech sector. In the early 2000’s the focus was primarily on consumer electronics. Today, it is the manufacture of semiconductor equipment that enables innovation. And in the near future, advancements in integrated photonics, quantum technology and AI will require another shift in focus and innovation to keep the Dutch sector competitive. At the same time, societal challenges are driving the need for technological innovation in healthcare, sustainable energy, and manufacturing. Amidst this competitive landscape, rising geopolitical tensions are increasing the need for open strategic autonomy, technological sovereignty and production reshoring.

Dutch high-tech companies are poised to play a pivotal role in the development of key enabling technologies. They will not only contribute to prosperity in the Netherlands, but also enable Europe to maintain its competitive advantage in the global high-tech landscape and, of course, address some of the most complex challenges of our time. TNO High Tech Industry is positioned to support and accelerate their work by stimulating innovation and identifying and creating market opportunities.

TNO offers knowledge, insight, and innovations in future technologies that support the Dutch and European high-tech sectors. In a variety of (international) public/private partnerships and consortia, we contribute to a sector that will thrive and grow in the years to come, and ensure the Netherlands remains a leader in both existing and future industrial value chains.

Our work is divided amongst five business segments:

Holst Centre

Holst Centre helps companies secure their place in both existing and emerging global value chains. We pioneer advancements in integrated photonics, sensors, energy storage, MedTech, semiconductors, and wireless systems to spark a new generation of products and ventures.

Semicon and quantum

The rapid development of quantum technologies will revolutionise computing, sensing, and diagnostic capabilities. Technologies like photonic integrated circuits, acoustic metrology, chip cooling, and tissue optics will bring new innovation leadership to the Dutch industry, and TNO will contribute to it all.

Space

For decades, TNO has engineered the advanced satellite instrumentation used to explore the universe and hunt for exoplanets. Today, we leverage this heritage to pioneer optical satellite communication and a space-enabled quantum internet for multiple dual-use applications.

Smart manufacturing

Addressing critical societal challenges and securing European strategic autonomy requires circular production processes and hyper-efficient and resilient digital supply chains. TNO develops equipment and fabrication engineering technologies that will support the transition to a flexible, sustainable, and digitally connected European production network.

TNO Fast Track

TNO’s Fast Track program, start-up accelerator, and strategic partnerships strengthen the competitive position of startups, scale-ups, and SMEs. TNO Fast Track accelerates innovation processes and makes them less risky. As a true R&D partner, TNO is committed to supporting startups, scale-ups, and SMEs in ways that contribute to major innovations, job creation, and delivering maximum value to high-tech sectors.