Overview
imec is a world-leading research and innovation hub in nanoelectronics, energy, and digital technologies. Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Leuven, it employs over 5,500 researchers across more than 1,000 dedicated to semiconductor and deep tech research, and collaborates with major chip manufacturers, universities, and tech companies globally. The organization operates four strategic research centers covering semiconductors, energy, health, and digital.
imec runs the imec.istart accelerator to commercialize its research into startups, and feeds deal flow into imec.xpand, the independent EUR 300M fund (Fund II, 2024) that backs semiconductor and deep-tech spin-offs at venture scale. imec also operates Wintercircus in Ghent as a broader startup campus. Spin-offs include Axithra, Swave Photonics, and other deep tech ventures emerging from its labs.
Its influence on the Belgian tech ecosystem is fundamental, both as a talent engine and as the primary source of the Semiconductors & Photonics cluster centered on Leuven.
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In the news
- Eén dag. Drie HR-congressen. Jij kiest ++ Op 29 oktober verzamelen we de HR-community voor de tweede editie van het #ZigZagHR Forum. Eén dag, drie congressen rond Leadership, Wellbeing en Core HR en jij bepaalt zelf hoe je die dag invult. Kies één track en ga de diepte in. Of zigzag van zaal naar zaal en stel je eigen programma samen. >> SCHRIJF IN: https://lnkd.in/eqgPd8Rz LEADERSHIP | Over leiderschap, macht en verandering Karen Wouters trapt af met nieuw onderzoek naar het leiderschap dat organisaties vandaag nodig hebben.
- 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗢𝗺𝗻𝗶𝗙𝗹𝗼𝘄: connecting data across borders for smarter mobility planning! As part of DS4SSCC’s fourth deployment round, OmniFlow brings together Jelgava 🇱🇻 and Šiauliai 🇱🇹 to explore how telecommunications and transport data can help municipalities better understand how people and vehicles move. Reliable transport planning needs a clear picture of mobility. Yet physical traffic sensors cover specific locations, while surveys and manual counts capture only snapshots. This leaves gaps, particularly in rural
- Spectricity featured in Made in Mechelen! From our roots as an @imec spin-off to bringing miniaturized multispectral imaging into real-world applications, our journey has always been about making spectral technology more accessible and ready for commercialization. In this feature, our General Manager Belgium, Brecht François, shares more about our journey from deeptech research to market, our first smartphone design win, and the opportunities we see for multispectral imaging across mobile devices and beyond. Thank you to
- Kan AI bepalen welke lijm het beste past bij een specifieke toepassing? En, nog belangrijker, kan AI ook uitleggen waarom? Dit is één van de praktijkverhalen die je ontdekt tijdens Data in de Kempen, hét kennis- en netwerkevent rond data & AI. Zes organisaties vertellen hun verhaal over hoe zij vandaag met data en AI aan de slag gaan. En jij kiest zelf 2 van de 6 cases die je wil bijwonen. 𝗦𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝗷𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗸𝗶𝗲𝘇𝗲𝗻 𝗺𝗲𝘁 𝗔𝗜 Eén van die cases is het EGAS-project (Expert-Guided Adhesive Selector). imec, Flanders
- Kan AI bepalen welke lijm het beste past bij een specifieke toepassing? En, nog belangrijker, kan AI ook uitleggen waarom? Dit is één van de 6 praktijkverhalen die je ontdekt tijdens 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗶𝗻 𝗱𝗲 𝗞𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗲𝗻, hét kennis- en netwerkevent rond data & AI. Zes organisaties vertellen hun verhaal over hoe zij vandaag met data en AI aan de slag gaan. En jij kiest zelf 2 van de 6 cases die je wilt bijwonen. Slimmer lijmen kiezen met AI Eén van die cases is het EGAS-project (Expert-Guided Adhesive Selector). imec, Flanders Make en KU
- Building a strong semiconductor ecosystem requires close collaboration between industry, academia and policymakers. It was a pleasure to welcome Núria Montserrat, Minister for Research and Universities of Catalonia, and Javier Selva, Director General for Technological Innovation and Scientific Internationalization, to imec's headquarters in Leuven. During the visit, Jo De Boeck, Karel van Gils and Helio Fernandez Tellez shared how imec advances semiconductor research and innovation through close collaboration with industry,
- 𝗔 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗶𝗗𝗔𝗥 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀. After more than 10 years of work at imec on solid-state LiDAR using photonic integrated circuits, we’re proud to see the latest results published in Nature Communications. Our researchers have demonstrated a monolithically integrated biaxial FMCW LiDAR system, combining an optical phased-array transmitter and coherent focal-plane-array receiver with more than 4,500 functional components. The system achieves 5 cm depth resolution
- 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗛𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗜𝗜: expanding data-driven solutions for cooler, more resilient cities! As part of DS4SSCC’s fourth deployment round, BeatTheHeat II welcomes Kalamata 🇬🇷 and Codogno 🇮🇹 into the existing BeatTheHeat data space, bringing shared climate and mobility services to new communities. Urban heat is a growing challenge, affecting public health, energy demand and everyday life. By combining environmental, weather and mobility data, the pilot will help cities understand heat risks and guide decisions
Alumni 28 went on to found or lead
An SteegenSenior Vice President Advanced Technology R&D→CEO at Barco
Bart DierickxResearcher→Founder & CTO at Caeleste
Brecht ClaerhoutResearcher→Chief Executive Officer (representing illustris BV) at ONTOFORCE
Buvana LefevrePhD student→Founder at Alari Technologies
David CastroIndustrial Management Internship→Chairman and Co-founder at Qplox engineering- PDieter VelpenProcess Development Engineer for OLED applications→Founder at Construct3d
Dirk AvauResearcher→Founder - CEO at IntellectEU
Gauthier RodaroSoftware Engineer→Co-Founder & CEO at Enobase
Geert PalmersResearch on high efficiency photovoltaic solar cells→Co-Founder, CEO 1999 - 2019 - Director at 3E
Ingrid WillemsEntrepreneur in Residence→CEO & cofounder at DataScouts
Jelle DemeulemeesterResearch Scientist - Atom Probe Tomography→Managing Partner - CEO at mynd
Johan CockxSenior Researcher→Cofounder, core development at Embeetle
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