The global semiconductor industry has become a cornerstone of technological and economic power. From smartphones to AI systems, chips are the foundation of digital society. As geopolitical tensions intensify, Europe is waking up to the strategic importance of safeguarding its high-tech capabilities.
The Netherlands plays an outsized role in this landscape. It is home to world-leading firms such as ASML and NXP, supported by a dense network of innovative suppliers and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME). Yet retaining these companies – and enabling the next generation to grow – cannot be taken for granted. According to ‘Rapport Wennink’, the Netherlands faces a pivotal moment: retaining and growing high-tech champions is not just an industry concern, but essential for national economic resilience and Europe’s technological independence1. To remain a high-tech powerhouse, the Netherlands and Europe must act.
Why retaining large high-tech companies in the Netherlands matters
Global leaders like ASML are more than just large employers. They serve as the linchpin of entire ecosystems, enabling thousands of SMEs, universities, and research institutions to thrive.
Their impact extends beyond economics. Without strong local champions, Europe risks technological dependence on Asia or the US. In a sector where supply chains are increasingly politicised, retaining European leadership is about strategic autonomy as much as jobs and exports.
These firms also generate a “virtuous cycle” of innovation. By attracting top global talent, investing in cutting-edge R&D, and driving collaboration with suppliers, they create an environment that fosters continuous technological progress. In short: losing them would mean losing Europe’s seat at the global high-tech table.
The Dutch SME supplier network: a hidden strength
Behind every global champion stands a vast and highly specialised SME network. This is one of the Netherlands’ greatest, if lesser recognised, assets.
- Deep specialisation and co-innovation
Dutch SMEs excel in ultra-niche domains such as precision mechanics, vacuum technology, photonics, and advanced materials. Many do not merely supply parts but co-engineer tightly integrated solutions with OEMs. - Mutual dependence
Large OEMs depend on SME partners for flexibility and speed, while SMEs gain stability and international reach. The relationship is symbiotic – if anchor firms were to weaken or leave, hundreds of SMEs would feel the impact. - Regional clustering
Brainport Eindhoven and East Netherlands exemplify how dense collaboration between corporates, SMEs, and universities creates self-reinforcing ecosystems. Knowledge spillovers and joint projects continuously raise the sector’s technological bar. - Global recognition
Many Dutch SMEs are global leaders in their niche. Ultraprecise mechatronics firms, for example, are irreplaceable within semiconductor supply chains. - Structural vulnerability
Yet many SMEs remain financially fragile – reliant on a handful of clients, facing capital constraints, and struggling to recruit talent. Without policy support, this hidden backbone risks hollowing out.
Froms start-up to scale-up to global leader: Where the chain breaks
The Netherlands is fertile ground for start-ups, but struggles when it comes to scaling them into globally competitive firms.
- Late-stage funding lags far behind the US and Asia.
- Regulatory complexity and tax uncertainty risk pushing promising firms abroad.
- Foreign acquisitions often remove scale-ups from the Dutch ecosystem altogether.
As a result, the pipeline from start-up to the “next ASML or NXP” is fragile. The country excels in innovation at the early stage but falters at building enduring global champions.
What needs to be done to keep high-tech companies here
- Retain and attract talent
Strengthen university–industry collaboration and expand STEM education to secure a future-proof talent pipeline. Simplify immigration for international specialists and improve housing, infrastructure, and mobility to make the Netherlands attractive for global talent. - Invest in campuses and infrastructure
Build on hubs such as High Tech Campus Eindhoven and ASML’s R&D facilities, and develop specialized parks for semiconductors, photonics, and AI hardware. Scale public–private initiatives like Project Beethoven, which combine investment in housing, transport, and education. - Improve the business climate
Ensure a predictable tax and regulatory framework to attract long-term investment. Create incentives for scale-ups to remain independent and grow into global leaders. Position the Netherlands as a permanent home for high-tech companies, not just a launchpad. - Support SMEs directly
Expand initiatives like the ChipNL Competence Centre to provide SMEs with pilot lines, funding, and international collaboration. Strengthen industry associations and offer targeted export support and matchmaking to boost global visibility.
Conclusion
The Netherlands has all the ingredients to remain a high-tech powerhouse: world-leading companies, a uniquely dense SME network, strong universities, and a culture of innovation. But standing still is not an option.
Retaining and growing Europe’s high-tech champions requires a deliberate strategy: keeping talent in the country, investing in campuses and infrastructure, improving the business climate, and strengthening SMEs.
Europe cannot afford to lose its champions. The Netherlands has both the responsibility and the opportunity to safeguard them – and in doing so, to secure its role at the heart of global technological progress.
Wennink, P. (2025). De route naar de toekomstige welvaart. Retrieved on 19th of Janaury 2026, from: Rapport Wennink – De route naar toekomstige welvaart
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