The program offers a strong mix of inspiring speakers, in-depth updates, and plenty of time to network and explore demos at the knowledge plaza. Below you’ll find the full program.
Program
10:00 - 11:00 | Walk-in and demo's
Start the conference with a coffee and explore cutting-edge technological demo's.
11:00 - 11:15 | Kick-off
We kick off the conference with a plenary session, introduced by Monika Hoekstra and Peter Stolk.
Speakers:
Monika Hoekstra, Managing Director NXTGEN Hightech
Peter Stolk, Chair of the Board NXTGEN Hightech
11:15 - 11:35 | Keynote: Will Crowcombe, FSO Instruments
Will Crowcombe is the Managing Director of FSO Instruments, a Dutch provider of laser communication equipment. He studied Mechanical Engineering at Imperial College London and began his career as an aerospace structural engineer in the United Kingdom. Later, he worked as a Principal System Engineer at TNO in the Netherlands, contributing to various hightech developments. With more than 20 years of experience, broad technical expertise, and a strong background in the hightech industry, he is committed to advancing the laser communication program in the Netherlands.
11:35 - 11:55 | Keynote: Aaike van Vugt, VSParticle
Aaike van Vugt is co-founder and CEO of VSParticle, a Delft-based startup developing technology for producing highly porous thin films. These films play a key role in various sustainable energy technologies. After graduating in Chemical Engineering from TU Delft in 2014, he founded the company, which has since gained international recognition. Aaike is a driven entrepreneur committed to using new materials to address major challenges such as the energy transition.
12:00 - 13:30 | Network lunch and demo's
At midday, enjoy an extensive networking lunch. Explore demos at the knowledge plaza, learn more about our PhD projects, and make new connections.
13:30 - 14:15 | Break-out sessions: technology tracks
The first round of break-out sessions will focus on in-depth exploration of technology.
Read more.
14:15 - 14:30 | Break
14:30 - 15:15 | Break-out sessions: business tracks
The second round of breakouts will focus on business and entrepreneurship.
Read more.
15:15 - 15:30 | Break and room switch
15:30 - 16:00 | Keynote: Willem van der Leegte
Willem van der Leegte (1981) is President & CEO of VDL Groep. This industrial family business, headquartered in Brainport Eindhoven, with more than hundred operating companies in 20 countries and approximately 14,000 employees, achieved a turnover of 4,281 billion euros in 2024.
Willem began his career in the factory at VD Leegte Metaal in 2004. He then started working as a salesman for this first company of VDL Groep. Before being appointed as Vice President, responsible for the supervision of the high-tech cluster of the business group, Willem was Managing Director of VDL Bus & Coach Benelux. He has been a member of the Board of Directors of VDL Groep since 2012 and was appointed to President & CEO in November 2016. VDL Groep merges the power of a multinational with a flat organisation and open, informal working atmosphere of the family business, in which advancement opportunities and long-term ambitions are given priority.
Willem van der Leegte: “We believe that the strength of achieving real success lies in the pride of our employees who develop and make our products. Together with them, we aspire to perform and exceed expectations. Ensuring that our technical innovations contribute towards improving everyone’s wellbeing and prosperity”
16.00 - 16.30 | PhD Poster Award
The PhD posters displayed at the knowledge square will be evaluated by our research committee. During this plenary session, the winner will be announced, and the award will be presented.
16.30 - 17:00 | Q&A Session Minister of Economic Affairs Vincent Karremans
Caretaker Minister of Economic Affairs Vincent Karremans will close the day with us in plenary, sharing an inspiring message.
17:00 - 18:00 | Closing and networking reception
After a full program, it’s time for drinks. Take a moment to walk around the knowledge square and enjoy some snacks and refreshments.
Break-out sessions
During the day there are two break-out rounds. In these sessions, we dive deeper into specific topics. The first round focuses on our technologies. The second round is more business- and enabling-oriented.
Round A
Session A1:
The future is automated: robotics in your supply chain
Tech: CPS/Robotics
What role do robotics and cyber-physical systems play in the production chains of tomorrow? And what technological and organizational steps are needed to remain internationally relevant? With concrete examples and speakers from the agrifood and composites domains, we look ahead.
Speakers:
Martin Kampinga (SAM XL / TU Delft)
Harrie Schonewille (VDL)
Session A2:
Bionano: redefining healthcare through nanoscale precision
Tech: Bionano
Imagine a world where diseases can be detected early, treatments are precise, and healthcare truly puts people first. Within the NXTGEN Hightech Biomedical Production Technology domain, we are turning this vision into reality by harnessing the power of nanoscale precision and next-generation biomedical production.
Today, we’re not just talking about innovation. We’re inviting you to be part of a future where technology helps us make healthcare smarter, faster, and more personal. We bring four technology pitches that showcase how bionano technology is making drug discovery, cell therapy, organ replacement, and diagnostics more precise, personalized, scalable, and realistic.
Speakers:
Albert Konijnenberg (Optics11 Life BV)
Menno Prins (TUE / Helia Biomonitoring)
Hester van Dorst (Surfix BV)
Bastiaan Terhaard (Vivolta)
Session A3:
From innovation to scale: electrolyzers for green hydrogen
Tech: Thin film/plasma
How the high tech equipment industry can make the production of high tech products in the Netherlands and Europe competitive through advanced automation, high quality standards, and the application of the smart industry approach.
Speakers:
Wilbert Heffels (VDL)
Hessel Jongebreur (ZEF)
Jeroen Broekhuijsen (NXTGEN Hightech / TNO)
Session A4:
Chips, satellites and tomatoes: how key technologies come together
Tech: Optomechatronics and semicon devices
Discover the future of optomechatronics and (optical) sensors in a unique cross-over session. Experts from semicon, agrifood, and laser satcom share their insights and engage in discussions about tomorrow’s opportunities and needs.
Speakers:
Niek Doelman (TNO / TU Eindhoven)
Erik Pekkeriet (Wageningen University)
Rogier Verberk (TNO)
Session A5:
Smart industry in action: practical steps to automation
Tech: Smart Industry
Three companies showcase how they apply Smart Industry in scaling up their production. From ramp-up to consistent quality with less dependency on people, they demonstrate how innovation drives efficiency and competitiveness. Join this session to discover how you too can take the next step - do you want to be NXT?
Speakers
Bas Tijsma (Philips)
Luuk Schellekens: (WEM)
Thijs Rupert (DEMCON)
Lonneke Stikkelorum (TSG Groep)
Round B
Session B1:
Systems Engineering: from complexity to competitiveness
Systems engineering is the backbone of technological progress. In this session, we explore how systems engineering enables companies to seize new opportunities, accelerate innovation, and maintain a competitive edge in rapidly evolving markets. With concrete examples, we show how businesses can apply these principles to turn complexity into advantage.
Moderator:
Ton Peijnenburg (VDL)
Panel:
Ron Blom (Canon PP)
Marcel van Houtum (Vanderlande)
Patrick Schmetz (Philips)
Session B2:
Financing growth for high tech innovations
In this session, we provide an overview of public and private funding options for companies and collaborations. We offer practical tips on how to prepare and which option might be best suited at different stages. We will also discuss relevant public sector use cases.
Speakers:
Walewein Luchtmeijer (Wederic)
Jacob Issa (Oost NL)
Session B3:
Control points: becoming impossible to ignore
In this session, discover how companies can secure an indispensable position in the market. Using the stairway to heaven, we explore the path from a start-up with potential to a scale-up with a proven control point advantage. Through concrete NXTGEN examples, we share practical insights for every stage of growth.
Speakers:
Daan Pisa (TNO Vector)
Peter Middelhoek (McKinsey)
Session B4:
High tech meets defense: big challenges, bigger possibilities
Defense is changing rapidly, opening up new opportunities for the high tech industry. In this session, we explore how both worlds can strengthen each other, share insights and best practices, and discuss concrete ways to create innovation, efficiency, and strategic advantage together.
Speakers:
Waander van Heerde (Enzyre)
Joost van den Berg (CompositesNL)
Pierre van Lamsweerde (Defensie)
Session B5:
How Gen AI changed mathematical modeling
Since leaving ASML, Femke has been working as a consultant on a wide range of AI projects. In this session, Femke will show how AI use cases have evolved since the introduction of the first Large Language Models in 2022. Various applications will be highlighted — including one that just might help move your project forward.
Speaker:
Femke Zeedijk (Pipple)