MinacNed and NanoLabNL are jointly organizing an event on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, between 1:45 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. on the topic: “From brilliant idea to mid-volume production.”

This event will be held at the University of Twente, room Waaier 3, Drienerlolaan 5 in Enschede.

Research conducted at knowledge institutions often yields exciting new ideas, which sometimes lead to spin-offs. For spin-offs that require a cleanroom environment, this is a major challenge because the investments needed to build a cleanroom and purchase the necessary equipment are very high. In such cases, these spin-offs often make use of an academic cleanroom in the region, allowing them to start growing and scaling up.

During this event, they bring together parties that play a role in the chip tech ecosystem in Twente and that can contribute to the process of turning a good idea into a product.  Questions that will be addressed include: ‘What challenges do small and larger companies encounter when using the cleanroom?’, ‘How can start-ups learn from larger companies?’, ‘What opportunities are there for subsidies?’ and ‘Are there investment opportunities that can help with scaling up?’.

During this afternoon, a number of parties will give a short presentation, after which we will engage in discussion with the participants.

If you are interested in participating in this inspiring event, please send an email with your name and organization to h.a.m.heesink@utwente.nl before March 18, 2026.

Programme

13:45: Opening Session
Martijn Fransen (MinacNed) / Hans Hilgenkamp (NanoLabNL)

14.00: From idea to product
Roy Kolkman (Novel-T)

14.15: Ecosystem around MESA+ NanoLab/High Tech Factory
Timo Meinders (MESA+)

14.35: User Experiences of the NanoLab Ecosystem: LioniX and Brilliance
Arne Leinse/Ronald Dekker (LioniX)
Tim Tiek/Douwe Geuzebroek/Sander Slaa (Brilliance)

15.05: Investment Opportunities
Ytsen van der Meer (Cottonwood)

15.20: Role of the regional development agency Oost NL
Ivan Stojanović (Oost NL)

15.35: Discussion with participants

16.30: Networking reception (Foyer)