deep tech cluster analysis

At HYBRICK, we operate from Marienpark Berlin, an emerging South Berlin hub where science, business, tech, and creativity innovate together. This environment makes us naturally interested in what creates successful tech ecosystems.

And Brainport Eindhoven deserves a closer look: €2.5 billion government investment in 2024, #7 globally in startup ecosystems, home to Europe’s most valuable tech company ASML, NXP Semiconductors or Signify.

But what’s really behind this success?

→ 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲: Called Europe’s smartest square kilometer, the High Tech Campus hosts 240 companies and 13,000 researchers on 1.3 km². From ASML’s global leadership to 300+ startups, every stage works door-to-door.

→ T𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲-𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘅 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀: Government, industry, and academia work closely together to strengthen manufacturing, entrepreneurship, and knowledge in high technology. The €219 million Brainport Partner Fund from ASML, Philips, NXP Semiconductors and 9 other companies shows how they collectively invest in accessibility, affordable housing, talent development, and equal opportunities over 12 years.

→ 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺: The region ranks 3rd globally in patents per inhabitant and generates 2% of all global patents from just 800,000 people. 90% speak English, 150+ nationalities collaborate daily, 3,500+ open tech positions. They think globally while building locally.

→ 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗴-𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀: Multiple long-term initiatives focus on doubling research capacity and expanding infrastructure over 15-20 years. Significant VC investment flows to deep tech and life sciences, showing sustained commitment to breakthrough technologies.

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The bottom line: Successful deep tech ecosystems require sustained government backing, industry co-investment in shared infrastructure, and geographic concentration.

We see these principles as essential for creating innovation ecosystems with lasting impact.

What’s your experience with successful tech ecosystems? Which factors matter most?

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