Date: April 13, 2026 Registration and company market: 15:30 Program: 16:00-17:00 hrs (+ networking, drinks & bites) Location: Noviotech Campus Nijmegen, building M, Meet&Greet area
We are excited to invite you to a new edition of the SMB Network Meeting, organized in collaboration with the HAN Master of Applied Molecular Sciences, featuring students and internship companies while highlighting the alignment with the Pharma Delta mission.
This event brings professionals, entrepreneurs, researchers, and students together around the theme of Pharma. You can combine this network event with a practical workshop on Networking earlier that afternoon.
This afternoon is all about mutual discovery:
Students explore the broad and dynamic world of molecular and pharma innovation and how they can develop their talent to contribute to this world.
Companies and organisations meet the next generation of talent, not to recruit, but to understand their skills, ambitions, and fresh perspectives.
Together, we bridge the talent delta by learning what each side can offer the other.
The meeting opens with an introduction to Pharma Delta and its vision on regional talent development, followed by perspectives from MSD Animal Health and the HAN University of Applied Sciences.
You’ll then hear more about the Applied Molecular Sciences Master’s program and how its students can contribute to innovation and talent development, illustrated through a joint experience story shared by a student and a company representative.
Important: This is not an internship or recruitment event. It’s about connection, collaboration, and understanding the ecosystem.
Program
Workshop (for more information & registration please click here) 13:30-14:00 Walk-in workshop 14:00-15:30 Short workshop ‘Networking skills’ by Frank Smallegange
SMB Networking meeting (please register via the form below) 15:30-16:00 Walk-in and company market 16:00-17:00 Plenary topics 17:00-19:00 Active networking, drinks & dinner bites plus company market
Speakers
Martin van Collenburg, Supervisory board member & Executive Director Capital Investments, driving strategic investments that support innovation and growth, MSD Animal Health, Boxmeer
Harmen Neidig, Dean School of Applied Biosciences and Chemistry, HAN University of Applied Sciences
Andrea Thiele, Coordinator Master Applied Molecular Sciences at HAN University of Applied Sciences, Nijmegen.
Good to know Presentations are in English & the entrance is free (registration upfront is needed though). We welcome new guests, so please feel free to pass on this invitation to relevant people in your network!
Be one of the first to register for this SMB Network Meeting via this link.
Networking is part of your job. When meeting new potential business partners, ambassadors, employers or clients, it’s essential that you can tell a compelling story tailored to your audience. This requires a combination of listening and storytelling skills. In this workshop, we’ll work on both.
This short session is especially designed for HAN Molecular Science students and the SMB Networking Meeting afterwards as a warm-up to the SMB Network meeting later that day, providing the perfect opportunity to immediately practice your newly learned networking skills. Of course, other interested participants are more than welcome to join!
We start by fine-tuning and adapting your story for any audience. Then, we practice how to tell this story effectively in a networking setting. This includes identifying the right people, starting conversations, and, just as importantly, knowing when and how to exit a conversation when it’s not the right fit. You’ll also learn when and how to follow up successfully after a meeting.
This will be an interactive & fun workshop with ample opportunities to test and refine new versions of your story and tactics. One thing is guaranteed: by the end of the session, at least 10 people in your network will be able to share a version of your story. #NetworkingStartsNow
About Frank Smallegange
Frank is a pitch coach for (technical) start-ups. Trained as a chemical engineer, he has extensive work experience as a designer and builder in IT. He is also a master of improvisation and storytelling, having taken courses from Las Vegas to Berlin. This unique combination of skills enables Frank to understand what makes a pitch successful and show you how to captivate your audience.
Location Noviotech Campus, Transistorweg 5, Building M, Meet&Greet, Nijmegen.
Good to know The workshop is facilitated in English and is free of charge. use the button below to register for the workshop Networking skills. And if you want to join the SMB-network meeting as well, please register via this link.
Participation in the workshop is free for everyone, including drinks and bites. However, for noshow and cancellations within 24 hours prior to the event, we will charge a fee of 15 euros (excluding VAT) to cover incurred expenses.
On January 27, 2026, the Lifeport Semicon Event brought together the Dutch semiconductor ecosystem at the Goffertstadion. Industry leaders, researchers, policymakers, educators and innovators met for a day defined by depth, openness and a shared sense of urgency.
More than 400 participants explored how semiconductors shape our future, not only from a technological perspective, but also through talent development, health applications and cross-sector collaboration. What stood out was the quality of the dialogue: strategic, forward-looking and rooted in real cooperation.
From cutting-edge research to future computing
One of the highlights of the programme was the keynote on neuromorphic computing by Alexander Khajetoriaans, offering a glimpse into how brain-inspired chip architectures could radically change the way we process information. His talk illustrated how fundamental research and semiconductor innovation are increasingly intertwined, and how Europe can play a leading role in this next wave of computing.
Across plenary sessions and deep-dive tracks, themes such as AI, advanced chip design, strategic resilience and Europe’s technological autonomy returned time and again, underlining the importance of long-term investment in both knowledge and people.
Innovation Square: where technology meets creativity and entrepreneurship
At the heart of the event, the Innovation Square showcased the region’s innovative strength. Entrepreneurs presented cutting-edge semiconductor applications alongside artistic interpretations of chip technology and its history. This unique combination of startups, scale-ups and art made abstract technology tangible and sparked conversations well beyond traditional sector boundaries.
The presence of students and young professionals, also actively involved in organisation, hospitality and content, further reinforced the event’s focus on learning, growth and future talent.
Semiconductors as an enabler for health and society
A recurring theme throughout the day was the crucial role semiconductors play in healthcare and life sciences. From medical devices and diagnostics to data-driven care and sustainable health systems, advanced chips are a key enabler of innovation in health. By explicitly connecting semicon technology with health applications, the programme highlighted why collaboration between these domains is essential for societal impact.
A shared ambition for the Lifeport region
The Lifeport Semicon Event made clear that the Arnhem–Nijmegen region is not only part of the semiconductor conversation, it actively shapes it. With strong research institutions, an engaged public sector and a growing innovation ecosystem, the region demonstrated its ability to connect strategy, execution and talent.
Above all, the event showed the power of bringing the right people together in the right setting. The atmosphere of trust and openness turned ambition into concrete steps forward.
With this first edition, the Lifeport Semicon Event set a strong foundation for the future. Building on this momentum, the community will continue to strengthen collaboration, invest in talent and work towards a resilient, innovative and impactful semiconductor ecosystem.
Deep Dive into Photonics: fundamentals, applications and opportunities With Carol de Vries (PhotonDelta)
Photonics is one of the key enabling technologies shaping the future of high-tech systems. By using light instead of electrons to generate, transport and detect signals, photonics unlocks new possibilities in speed, accuracy and energy efficiency.
In this edition of Meeting Your Peers Engineers, we invite engineers and technical specialists to join a deep dive into photonics: what it is, what you can do with it, and why it matters for industries such as semicon, sensing, medical technology , automotive ,agrifood , quantum and next-generation communication.
This session is designed for engineers who want to go beyond the buzzwords and gain a clear technical understanding of photonics and its real-world impact.
Why Photonics? Photonics is rapidly moving from niche technology to large-scale application. Through Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs), photonic functionality can be integrated into chip-based systems, enabling new generations of compact, high-performance solutions.
The Netherlands plays a leading role in this field through PhotonDelta, which is accelerating the integrated photonics ecosystem and supporting industrialization and scaling of photonic chip technologies.
What to expect During this deep dive, Carol de Vries will provide a technical and application-focused introduction to photonics, including:
What photonics is and how it differs from electronics
Key building blocks of photonic systems and integrated photonics
What Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) are and how they enable new applications
Current and emerging applications across multiple high-tech domains
Q&A with the audience and space for technical discussion
Who should attend? This session is especially relevant for:
Engineers and technical specialists working in semicon, high-tech and engineering
R&D teams exploring next-generation technologies and system innovation
Professionals working on sensing, communication, data-intensive systems or hardware innovation
Anyone who wants a clear and technical understanding of photonics and its applications
About the speaker Carol de Vries – PhotonDelta Carol de Vries has a long track record in the high-tech industry and has been part of PhotonDelta since 2019. He previously served as CTO of PhotonDelta and has played a key role in the ecosystem’s technical strategy, including technical due diligence, strategic roadmapping and thought leadership around integrated photonics.
Within PhotonDelta, he is currently active as Chief Strategy & Startup Support (previously CTO), focusing on supporting integrated photonics startups and strengthening the ecosystem strategy.
Carol brings over 40 years of experience in the electronics industry, including management and executive roles at organizations such as Philips and NXP, working across markets like automotive, datacom and healthcare. He holds a Master’s degree in Physics from Eindhoven University of Technology.
Yesterday, we hosted another successful edition of the Briskr Company Valuation Workshop, an important step in the trajectory towards pitching at the Business Angels Network Nijmegen (BANN) in March. A diverse group of entrepreneurs joined: founders who have already pitched at BANN, those preparing for an upcoming pitch, and others eager to strengthen their investment readiness. Together, they created an open, energetic atmosphere where sharing experiences and learning from each other came naturally.
Sjoerd Klabbers (BDO Tax & Legal) guided participants through the fundamentals of startup valuation. Determining a company’s worth is rarely simple, especially when emotions, early-stage uncertainty and a mix of valuation methods all come into play. Sjoerd broke down the essentials, offering practical tools to help founders understand their value drivers, prepare for investor conversations, and set the right conditions for future deals.
In the second part of the workshop, Björn Schaap (Oost NL) invited participants to step into the investor’s shoes. What do investors really look for? How do they assess a business case, and what do they expect from entrepreneurs, not just today but once they become shareholders? His session emphasized alignment and long-term partnership: it’s not about claiming the biggest slice of the pie, but about working together to make the pie grow.
As always at Briskr events, the networking moments proved just as valuable as the content. Entrepreneurs exchanged challenges, insights, and experiences, strengthening the community that helps fuel innovation in our region. A big thank you to all participants, and to Sjoerd and Björn for sharing their expertise. We look forward to seeing these founders take their next steps!
We would also like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to Sjoerd Klabbers, who has delivered this workshop with dedication and expertise three times a year since 2023. His insights have been invaluable to countless entrepreneurs preparing for their next growth step.
Defensie wil dat onderzoeksinstellingen hun dual-use kennis naar de markt brengen. Zo kan op den duur ook de krijgsmacht ervan profiteren. Er komt € 13,8 miljoen euro beschikbaar voor de oprichting van dual-use startups. Die gaan zich richten op high-tech ontwikkelingen voor zowel militaire als civiele toepassingen.
De nieuwe startups moeten betrekking hebben op een van de 5 defensiethema’s. Dat zijn: slimme materialen, ruimtevaarttechnologie, quantumtechnologie, intelligente systemen en sensoren. Binnen het programma zullen verschillende kennisinstellingen met elkaar samenwerken. Door van elkaars expertise gebruik te maken zijn ze in staat om innovatie sneller naar de markt te brengen.
Van kennis naar praktijk
De subsidie valt onder de bestaande subsidieregeling Thematische Technology Transfer (TTT). Deze regeling is bedoeld om kennis uit onderzoek sneller om te zetten in praktische oplossingen. Vanuit het programma worden innovatievouchers uitgekeerd aan startende ondernemers. Bijvoorbeeld om hun innovatie door te ontwikkelen naar een product. Daarnaast krijgen de nieuwe bedrijven vanuit het programma begeleiding en ondersteuning in het ondernemerschap. Verder wordt er in samenwerking met particuliere investeringsmaatschappijen een fonds opgericht. Daaruit kunnen de startups een eerste investering krijgen. Dat startkapitaal maakt het mogelijk om te blijven ontwikkelen en door te groeien.
Consortia van kennisinstellingen kunnen nog tot en met 15 april hun aanvraag voor een TTT programma indienen.
Meer informatie
De TTT-tender Defensie is een samenwerking tussen het ministerie van Defensie en de Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland (RVO). Meer informatie over de regeling en de voorwaarden is te vinden via RVO.
Monthly IP walk-in for health & hightech entrepreneurs. Are you a startup or SME in the health or hightech sector? Every month, we host a free walk-in session where you can get expert advice on Intellectual Property (IP).
Why IP matters
As an entrepreneur, protecting your ideas, technologies, and brand is crucial. Whether you’re developing medical innovations, software, or high-tech devices, having a solid IP strategy can help you secure funding, attract partners, and stay ahead of the competition. From patents and trademarks to design rights and trade secrets—knowing your options can make all the difference.
Meet Rienk Rienksma – IP Advisor at RVO
Rienk is an Intellectual Property advisor at the Netherlands Patent Office. The Netherlands Patent Office is the official body responsible for granting patents in the Netherlands. It supports startups and SMEs with questions about IP rights in the broadest sense—whether it’s patent protection, trademarks, or understanding how to safeguard your innovation roadmap.
The advice is confidential, free of charge, and completely independent—no commercial interests involved.
You’re welcome to just walk in, or if you prefer, you can make an appointment in advance.
De wereldwijde vraag naar chips stijgt explosief en zal richting 2030 zelfs verdubbelen. Europa wil de afhankelijkheid van Azië en de Verenigde Staten verminderen en investeert daarom stevig in de eigen halfgeleidersector. In dit kader is in oktober 2025 het ChipNL Competence Centre gelanceerd: een one-stop-shop die Nederlandse bedrijven, onderzoekers en onderwijsinstellingen ondersteunt bij innovatie, opschaling en samenwerking in de semiconductortechnologie.
Managing Director Elly Zwartkruis ziet het centrum als een essentiële schakel in de versterking van zowel Nederland als Europa, dat daarmee naadloos aansluit bij de ambities van de European Chips Act. “Het ChipNL Competence Centre is een van de 30 competentiecentra in Europa, die een groot netwerk vormen om gezamenlijk de chipinnovatie te bevorderen. We zijn een netwerkorganisatie die ondernemers helpt versnellen op het gebied van semiconductortechnologie,” zegt ze. “Dat doen we met technische expertise, toegang tot het Chips Design Platform, de EU pilotlines, business development, talentontwikkeling en internationalisering.”
Eén loket, landelijk bereik
Hoewel de standplaats van Zwartkruis Eindhoven is, werkt het centrum nadrukkelijk landelijk. “Alle semiconregio’s in Nederland zijn aangesloten,” benadrukt Zwartkruis. “Van Delft en Twente tot Eindhoven en dus ook de Lifeport-regio. Ons centrum verlaagt de drempels voor startups en kleinere bedrijven. Het ChipNL Competence Centre biedt hun directe toegang tot toonaangevende Europese infrastructuren, zoals pilotlines en het EU Chips Design Platform. Ook kunnen zij gebruikmaken van de beschikbare faciliteiten en initiatieven in Nederland.”
Begeleiding op maat
Voor veel mkb-bedrijven is een eigen cleanroom of miljoenenlab onbereikbaar. Het ChipNL Competence Centre helpt hen om wél toegang te krijgen tot geavanceerde faciliteiten en begeleidt hen gedurende het hele innovatietraject: “We kijken heel precies welke vraag een ondernemer heeft en bij welke pilotline of expertise die het beste past,” aldus Zwartkruis. “Ondernemers worden niet alleen doorverwezen, maar echt begeleid.”
Behalve technische ondersteuning is er hulp voor de complexe materie van subsidies en fondsen. “Wij bieden zelf geen financiering, maar maken bedrijven wegwijs door het landschap van Europese, nationale en regionale subsidie- en financieringsmogelijkheden. Juist voor mkb-bedrijven is dit overzicht van financieringsinstrumenten essentieel. Deze ondersteuning is volledig kosteloos dankzij bijdragen van de Europese Commissie en het Ministerie van Economische Zaken en Klimaat.”
Talentontwikkeling
De groeiende chipvraag gaat hand in hand met een bijna explosieve vraag naar technisch talent. Nederland werkt via het landelijke Project Beethoven aan de ambitie om 38.000 nieuwe technici op te leiden.
“Er komen nieuwe minors, fieldlabs, cleanrooms en praktijkgerichte programma’s,” vertelt Zwartkruis. “Wij verbinden al die initiatieven met de concrete behoefte van bedrijven. Dat doen we voor mbo, hbo, universiteit én professionals die willen bij- of omscholen. Talentmatchmakingevents zijn een belangrijk instrument om vraag en aanbod bij elkaar te brengen, zowel voor studenten als voor mensen die een carrièreswitch overwegen.”
Medtech kansen in de regio
Juist in de Lifeport Regio Arnhem Nijmegen en in Wageningen liggen veel kansen, door de samenkomst van sterke expertisevelden: enerzijds chipdesign, packaging en productietechnologie; anderzijds een krachtig medtech-ecosysteem met universiteiten, ziekenhuizen en onderzoeksinstellingen.
“Energiezuinige, efficiënte chips worden steeds belangrijker voor medische toepassingen en geneesmiddelenontwikkeling,” legt Zwartkruis uit. “We willen partijen uit de tech- en medische domeinen actief bij elkaar brengen, juist wanneer zij elkaar nog niet vanzelf weten te vinden.”
Fotonica
Het ChipNL Competence Center ziet fotonica als een sleuteltechnologie waarin Nederland al sterk is en waar grote toekomstkansen liggen. “Fotonische chips zijn energiezuinig en efficiënt en kunnen veel betekenen voor sectoren als gezondheidszorg, sensortechnologie en communicatie,” aldus Zwartkruis. “Ons centrum stimuleert innovaties en initieert samenwerkingen op dit gebied via gerichte workshops, beurzen en pilotline-bezoeken.”
Onmisbaarheid in de keten
Het ChipNL Competence Center kijkt naar de bredere positie van Nederland binnen het Europese ecosysteem en in de internationale waardeketen. Zwartkruis ziet kansen om de rol van Nederland, dat nu vaak toeleverancier is, te versterken. “Het gaat om je onmisbaarheid in de keten,” legt ze uit. “Waar zit je kracht, in welke mate hangt de rest van de waardeketen van jouw producten of diensten af? Nederland heeft een sterke positie en werkt aan nieuwe innovaties om deze positie in de toekomst verder te verankeren.”
Het centrum helpt bedrijven bij opschaling, het vinden van nieuwe markten en het toekomstbestendig maken van hun technologie.
Maatschappelijke uitdagingen
Elly Zwartkruis: “Met mijn achtergrond in economische psychologie en in techniek pionier ik graag in innovatie. Vooral in de halfgeleiderindustrie zie ik de sleutel tot onze maatschappelijke uitdagingen. Het is een prachtige rol om samen met verschillende partijen vooraanstaande kennis toegankelijk te maken voor het Nederlandse en Europese bedrijfsleven.”
De ambitie is helder: “We hopen binnen een jaar de spil te worden in de Nederlandse halfgeleiderindustrie, waar bedrijven samenkomen om innovatie te versnellen en onze internationale positie uit te bouwen.”
Lifeport Semicon Event
In de Lifeport-regio werken bedrijven en kennisinstellingen samen aan innovaties in chiptechnologie en chip-packaging. Deze ontwikkelingen staan centraal tijdens het Lifeport Semicon Event in januari 2026.
Op 5 maart organiseren wij een inspirerende middag voor partners, nieuwe partners en innovators om de nieuwe ronde van het Digital Health Challenge Lab (DHCL) te verkennen. Ontdek lopende projecten, leer nieuwe innovators kennen en maak waardevolle verbindingen.
Het Digital Health Challenge Lab (DHCL) is een open innovatieprogramma waarin zorg- en welzijnsorganisaties, ziekenhuizen, woningcorporaties, startups, kennisinstellingen en bedrijven samenwerken aan echte uitdagingen uit de praktijk. In co-creatie ontwikkelen we digitale oplossingen die werken; getest, toegepast en klaar voor opschaling.
Datum: 5 maart 2026 Tijd: 14.00 – 17.00 uur Locatie: Noviotech Campus – gebouw M
Wat kun je verwachten?
Introductie van DHCL en de challenges van 2026
Pitches van innovators en startups
Netwerkmoment met andere betrokken partners van DHCL
Inzicht in actuele projecten en kansen voor samenwerking
Programma:
13:45 uur: Inloop
14:00 uur: Aftrap en plenair programma
15:00 uur: Informatie over DHCL en verdieping voor nieuwe partners
16:30 uur: Netwerken
17:00 uur: Afsluiting
Voor wie? Huidige partners, nieuwe partners, innovators en organisaties die willen kennismaken met DHCL en de nieuwste challenges.
Aanmelden kan via de onderstaande button onder het filmpje. Zet 5 maart alvast in je agenda.
Master the Art of Pitching with International Coach David Beckett!
Back by popular demand, this workshop is your opportunity to learn the secrets of crafting a winning pitch from one of the best in the business. David Beckett, an internationally renowned pitch coach, has helped over 2.500 startups and scaleups secure more than €460 million in funding. Now, he’s ready to help you sharpen your pitch skills in a dynamic, hands-on session.
In this fast-paced workshop, you’ll dive into practical techniques to build a compelling storyline, make your message clear and unforgettable, and deliver a powerful opening and closing. With fun, interactive exercises, you’ll practice each step and gain confidence in presenting your pitch with impact.
Plus, you’ll leave with exclusive resources and access to David’s Pitch App, designed to help you perfect your pitch long after the workshop ends. Whether you’re preparing a pitch for investors, clients, or networking events, this is your chance to stand out and make a lasting impression.
Don’t miss this chance to elevate your pitch game and join a community of ambitious professionals!
Afterwards, you’ll receive a selection of materials and access to an App that will help you deliver your winning pitch, handshake pitch and/or elevator pitch!
Practical tools to help you build your winning pitch.
Location The Launch, Nijmegen.
The Forum building is on the Radboudumc campus. Closest train station is Nijmegen Heyendaal. The distance is walkable, but you can also take bus 10 to halte ‘Huygensgebouw, Nijmegen’ (and then walk 2 minutes).
Good to know The workshop is facilitated in English and is free of charge and organised together with The Launch.
Participation in the workshop is free for everyone, including drinks and bites. However, for noshow and cancellations within 24 hours prior to the event, we will charge a fee of 15 euros (excluding VAT) to cover incurred expenses.
