Brabant Innovation Day Tokyo 2026

Date

09 Jun 2026

Location

From Promise to Practice

How Japan and the Netherlands Power the Future of Compute

Brabant Innovation Day returns on 9 June 2026, building on the success of the 2024 summit in Tokyo. Under the theme ‘From Promise to Practice: How Japan and the Netherlands Power the Future of Compute’, the event will bring together leading organisations from the Brabant high‑tech ecosystem (including PhotonDelta, TNO, Holst Centre, SMART Photonics, PITC, and World Class Maintenance), as well as the Province of North Brabant (including vice governor Martijn van Gruijthuijsen), and partners from Japan and the Embassy of the Netherlands in Tokyo.

Taking an ecosystem‑level perspective, the programme will explore how collaboration between industry, research institutions and government helps translate breakthrough innovation into scalable, reliable applications – from early‑stage research to industrial deployment – and strengthens the future resilience of high‑tech manufacturing.

Time: 11:30 – 19:45 (including networking dinner)
Venue: The Okura Tokyo (2-10-4 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0001)

Click here to register

Speakers

Confirmed speakers include the following, with further additions to be announced:

Martijn van Gruijthuijsen, vice governor of the province of North Brabant
Eelko Brinkhoff, CEO of PhotonDelta
Brigit van Dijk – van de Reijt, CEO of Brabant Development Agency
Ton van Mol, Managing Director of TNO Holst Centre
Helen Kardan, Director of Science & Technology High Tech Industry at TNO
Henk Akkermans, Professor at Tilburg University and Director of World Class Maintenance
Eras Draaijers, Counsellor for Innovation and Science & Technology
Frank Sperling, Co‑founder and CTO of Nobleo Technology
SMART Photonics – speaker to be confirmed
Photonics Integration Technology Centre – speaker to be confirmed

Preliminary programme

Block A: From Lab to Fab: Building the Future of Compute & Semiconductors Together

This block focuses on the earliest stages of innovation: how scientific discoveries evolve into prototype‑ready technologies. Speakers will explain the foundations of next‑generation compute, the role of integrated photonics and semiconductors, and how Japan and the Netherlands can work together from the outset of the innovation chain. The power of an ecosystem approach (open innovation) will also be shared. The aim is to build a shared understanding of the technological directions and the collaborative opportunities ahead.

Block B: From Fab to Product: Engineering Reliability and Scale

This block moves from prototyping to industrial capability. Speakers will show how new pilot lines, advanced production methods, and data-driven manufacturing pave the way to stable, high-yield, market-ready photonic and semiconductor products. It highlights how Japan and the Netherlands can collaborate in manufacturing excellence, process optimisation, and reliability.

Block C: Global Synergy: How Japan and the Netherlands Can Shape the Future Together

This block focuses on the strategic dimension: how Japan and the Netherlands can align national strategies, research priorities, and industry strengths to accelerate deeptech innovation. It highlights long-term collaboration models, government support, and shared opportunities in the coming years.

Networking drinks and walking dinner

More details on the programme and speaker line-up will follow.

Province of North Brabant

North Brabant connects its innovative ecosystems with leading regions worldwide to accelerate the exchange of knowledge, talent, and technology. Its internationalisation team brings global insights into Brabant while promoting the region’s strengths abroad, creating partnerships that drive innovation in life sciences, high tech, biotech, renewable energy, AI, and smart mobility.

Brabant Development Agency (BOM)

The Brabant Development Agency (BOM) is the regional economic development agency of the province of North Brabant, working to strengthen the region’s economy by accelerating innovation, supporting entrepreneurship, and attracting and growing businesses. BOM connects startups, scale-ups, corporates, knowledge institutions, and public authorities, and actively invests in innovative companies.

Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA)

The Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) helps foreign companies establish or expand operations in the Netherlands by offering free, confidential support such as market insights, site selection, and introductions to partners and authorities, with the aim of strengthening the Dutch economy through sustainable international investment.

Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Tokyo

The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Tokyo represents Dutch interests in Japan and works to strengthen cooperation between the Netherlands and Japan across government, business, science, and culture. The embassy also supports Dutch citizens and organisations in Japan and acts as a connector between the two countries.

PhotonDelta

PhotonDelta is a non-profit organisation supporting an end-to-end value chain for photonic chips, encompassing design, development and manufacturing. It promotes the Dutch and European photonic chip industry globally and highlights the potential of its technologies. By leveraging funding from the National Growth Fund alongside strategic investments, PhotonDelta helps accelerate the growth of the photonic chip industry.

TNO

At TNO, impactful innovations are developed to support the sustainable well-being and prosperity of society. The organisation supports the Dutch government in carrying out statutory and other public-interest tasks and helps strengthen the earning power of the Netherlands.

SMART Photonics

SMART Photonics aims to improve lives and contribute to a better world through integrated photonics. The company operates as an independent pure-play foundry, producing high-end photonic integrated circuits for customers.

Photonics Integration Technology Centre (PITC)

PITC is a joint initiative by Eindhoven University of Technology, the University of Twente, TNO, and PhotonDelta. PITC aims to shorten the path to commercial application of integrated photonics through application-driven technology programmes and access to shared infrastructure.

Tilburg University

Tilburg University is firmly embedded in society and aims to have a positive societal impact. Through high-quality research and inspiring, character-forming education, it contributes to an equitable, inclusive, and sustainable society – a mission that has been part of its DNA since its establishment in 1927.

World Class Maintenance (WCM)

WCM promotes smart maintenance within Dutch industry by developing, sharing, and applying maintenance knowledge. The organisation runs cross sector innovation projects, develops educational programmes, and builds an active network of asset owners, service providers, knowledge and research institutions, and government bodies.

Holst Centre

Jointly operated by imec and TNO, Holst Centre is an independent research and innovation centre that develops cutting-edge technologies in flexible electronics and wireless systems. Through close collaboration with industry and academia, the centre accelerates innovation in areas such as healthcare, energy, and smart environments, helping bring new solutions to market.

Nobleo Technology

Nobleo Technology is an engineering company based in the Brainport Eindhoven region. With a team of over 100 engineers, the company combines expertise in mechatronics, control engineering, embedded electronics and autonomous technologies to develop and improve complex systems across a wide range of industries.

BID 2026

Brabant Innovation Day 2026 flyer (Japanese)

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BID 2026

Brabant Innovation Day 2026 flyer (English)

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