On 26 March 2026, the Van Nelle Fabriek in Rotterdam hosted ZIE: the Zuid-Hollands Industrie Event, an annual gathering of over 1,000 professionals from the region’s technological landscape. Alongside the exhibition floor, the programme included expert sessions, masterclasses, and a dedicated Young Talent Area, creating opportunities to exchange insights and connect across sectors. The day concluded with Network & Drinks, hosted by NL Space Campus, combining short pitches with networking.
Within this setting, the Dutch space sector saw a broader presence compared to recent years. Space organisations and companies showcased how space technologies connect with developments in areas such as AI, robotics, data, and advanced manufacturing
Dutch Space companies in the regional landscape
Organisations active in space, including TNO, West End, S[&]T and NLR, were present at ZIE 2026, highlighting how space is embedded within the wider high-tech landscape.
NLR steps into the regional spotlight at ZIE, connecting with mid-sized high-tech companies and growing its local presence
For NLR, the presence at ZIE has evolved over time. After previously attending as visitors, the organisation is now present with its own stand. As Jan Terlingen, Business Development Aviation Industry at NLR, explains: “We realised there are many Dutch mid-sized companies here that we didn’t know that well yet. For us, it made sense to be more present at the regional level, not only nationally or internationally.” He adds that many high-tech companies are still not very familiar with NLR, making events like ZIE relevant for increasing visibility within the regional landscape. The event itself offers a well-balanced mix of companies and continues to grow, with space becoming more visible again in recent editions. NLR expects to continue its participation in the coming years.
For S&T, ZIE serves as a regional hub for reconnecting, building new relationships, and strengthening its presence in the high-tech sector
For S[&]T, a company active across space, defence, and high-tech consulting, ZIE is a relevant place to be within the regional landscape. As Patrick Van Noort, Business Director, High-Tech Consulting at S[&]T, explains: “It’s a good moment to reconnect with people we already know and to meet new ones. Collaboration starts with building relationships, and events like this really support that.” He also notes that the event has grown significantly over the years, developing into a larger gathering for the regional high-tech sector.
DEMCON highlights space as a connector between high-tech domains, using ZIE to build networks, explore collaborations, and inspire the next generation of talent
DEMCON highlights how space connects to other high-tech domains such as defence and advanced manufacturing. As noted at DEMCON: “Space is still quite a closed field. To work in it, you need to know the right people, and events like ZIE help create those connections.”
While DEMCON’s core activities are not limited to space, the company is involved in aerospace through initiatives such as free-space optics, contributing to developments in satellite communication and optical systems. At ZIE, their focus is on networking, visibility, and exploring potential collaborations across sectors.
The presence of young talent is also seen as important. As noted at DEMCON:
“We spoke with many students today who are exploring career paths and opportunities in the industry. It’s good to see that interest growing, including in space.”
Talent, skills and education
Leiden University and LiS showcase their role in regional talent development and high-tech education at ZIE
Educational institutions and student-led initiatives were also present at ZIE, highlighting the role of talent development within the high-tech landscape. The Leidse Instrumentmakers School (LiS), together with Leiden University, represents an important part of this ecosystem, training students who move into roles across the space and high-tech sectors. Students from LiS, for example, go on to work in different parts of the space industry, contributing to the wider landscape.
“It’s important for us to position Leiden as a strong high-tech hub” — how Leiden University and LiS connect education to the regional high-tech ecosystem
As Victor van der Horst, Programme Manager Hightech & Beethoven at Universiteit Leiden & LiS, explains: “It’s important for us to position Leiden as a strong high-tech hub in South Holland. This is a regional event, and we play an active role in the ecosystem. Through LiS and Leiden University, we contribute by educating talent and connecting to sectors such as space.”
He also points to a growing demand for skilled professionals across the industry, with companies increasingly looking for both talent and innovation. In response, initiatives such as LiS for Professionals focus on retraining and upskilling people from different sectors, supporting career transitions into high-tech roles and helping to meet the sector’s evolving needs.
Read more about LiS for Professionals (in Dutch)
At the Semicon Learning Point pavilion, Hogeschool Inholland connects students with industry, highlighting the shared skills between semiconductor and space engineering
Talent development was also reflected in the Semicon Learning Point pavilion, where multiple educational institutions presented their role in supporting the growing demand for skills in the microchip sector. Hogeschool Inholland was one of the contributors within this joint initiative, which is part of the regional Beethoven programme.
As Erik Laan, lecturer at Hogeschool Inholland Delft, explains: “In the semiconductor sector, you need many of the same competencies as in space engineering. You work with vacuum systems, UV radiation, and similar mechanical design approaches.” At ZIE, Erik Laan also brought a group of students to the pavilion, creating opportunities to connect directly with industry.
Student teams and early-stage initiatives like DARE and BioZine use ZIE to step beyond the academic world, build industry connections, and explore opportunities for collaboration
Student teams were also present at ZIE, including the DARE rocket team, which showcased its rocket on the exhibition floor. As the team explains: “We’re here to show our presence and connect with the industry. It’s about meeting potential partners. It’s much easier to start a conversation here than through email.”
For student teams, events like ZIE offer visibility and access to the network, helping them connect with companies, explore opportunities and understand developments across the sector.
Early-stage initiatives were also present. Stijn Heinrich, Project Manager and Team Lead at BioZine , attended to explore opportunities beyond the academic setting. BioZine is developing a microbe-based approach to producing sustainable hydrazine from waste streams. As Heinrich explained, “We came here to explore the industry and build connections. For us, it’s about understanding what’s out there and finding potential partners to continue developing our work.”
ZIE Brings Together High-Tech Innovators as InnovationQuarter Spotlights Scale-Ups, Space Tech, and Cross-Sector Collaboration
ZIE continues to grow as a meeting point for the regional high-tech ecosystem, accommodating more visitors and expanding its pavilions across sectors. InnovationQuarter was present with its pavilion featuring six scale-up companies, while also contributing to the DigitalZH pavilion together with partners such as TU Delft and several field labs. As Anton Duisterwinkel, Senior Business Developer at InnovationQuarter, explained, the focus is on showcasing companies active in the region, including those working with technologies linked to space, such as quantum communication systems and energy-efficient GPS solutions.
At the same time, he highlighted the importance of cross-sector exchange for the space industry: “It is important for the space sector not to stay too closed. There are many high-tech suppliers here working across semicon, medtech, and other industries that could also contribute to space. ZIE is a place to discover potential partners and get inspired by technologies and ideas from other sectors.”
Defence takes a visible role at ZIE, exploring dual-use technology and procurement pathways, with a dedicated event on 30 June
Defence was present as part of the broader high-tech landscape at ZIE, both on the exhibition floor and in the programme. This included sessions such as “Defence as a customer: from innovation to procurement,” which explored how companies can engage with public-sector demand and translate innovation into practical applications. The focus on dual-use technologies reflected how developments in high-tech manufacturing increasingly connect across sectors, including space.
This topic will also continue beyond ZIE. On 30 June, a Network & Drinks will be dedicated to defence-related themes, following a more in-depth session earlier in the day organised by SBIC Noordwijk, focusing on practical use cases and collaboration opportunities.
Network & Drinks closed the day with pitches, conversation, and a first preview of a new antenna testing facility happening on 12 May at NL Space Campus
The day concluded with Network & Drinks, combining short one-minute pitches with time for conversation. Companies such as ZemQuest, cosine and Telespazio Belgium pitched their work across energy, space instrumentation and geospatial applications. The session also included a preview of a new antenna testing facility at SBIC Noordwijk, developed by Antenna Systems Solutions in collaboration with Stichting TESTAR. The transportable system is designed for high-frequency measurements and will be officially presented in May.
Network & Drinks takes place regularly throughout the year in different formats and settings, often alongside industry events such as ZIE, creating space for continued exchange between the space sector and the wider high-tech ecosystem.
SEE MORE: NETWORK & DRINKS SPRING–SUMMER 2026: SAVE THE DATES
Save the Date ZIE 2027: 25 March
ZIE returns on 25 March 2027. For updates on space-related participation and upcoming activities, you can follow the NL Space Campus Community Updates.
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