About us - Netherlands Innovation Network
The Netherlands Innovation Network in the United Kingdom stimulates international cooperation between Dutch and British companies, research institutes and public authorities in the fields of innovation and technology. Our activities help implement the international knowledge and innovation agenda of the Dutch government. Our network in the United Kingdom has a long-term agenda focused on innovation in areas such as semiconductors and integrated photonics, quantum technologies, Artificial Intelligence and (future) compute.
Semiconductors and integrated photonics
Both the Netherlands and the United Kingdom see semiconductors and (integrated) photonics as crucial technologies for long-term earning power and national security. Due to the interrelation between the technologies, we approach integrated photonics and semicon as one theme. The Netherlands and the United Kingdom are both strong on integrated photonics with opportunities to collaborate on Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs), heterogeneous integration and packaging.
To complement the existing multi-annual focus on photonics we are also undertaking a targeted exploration of opportunities in Life Sciences and Health, specifically in medical diagnostics and therapy. Advances in photonics, including non-invasive sensing, imaging and light-based therapeutic approaches, are increasingly enabling earlier diagnosis, greater precision and more efficient clinical workflows. Technological developments such as miniaturisation, photonic integration on chip and improved data interfacing are accelerating the translation of these applications towards clinical and point-of-care use.
Quantum technologies
Both the Netherlands and the United Kingdom have listed quantum as a critical technology, with quantum computing, communication and sensing being specific areas of interest.
Quantum technologies are seen by both UK and NL as crucial for long-term earning power, security and creating societal benefits. International collaboration on quantum technologies is essential for both countries, especially to guarantee responsible and secure development of these technologies.
The Netherlands and the United Kingdom signed an MoU for cooperation in quantum science and technologies in 2023 and quantum is also one of the priority technologies in the NL-UK Innovation Partnership signed in November 2025.
Artificial Intelligence and (future) compute
AI & compute are priority technologies in the NL-UK Innovation Partnership signed in November 2025.
In March 2025, we organised an innovation mission on neuromorphic computing to the UK. Here the first steps were taken for the Public-Private Partnership on this topic (Neuromorphic Computing Technologies for AI) and the bilateral strategic roadmap that will result from this collaboration.
AI and Neuromorphic Computing were also tracks in the Future of Compute Innovation Mission to the United Kingdom in November 2025. As part of this mission, further concrete steps were taken to draw up the bilateral strategic roadmap for Neuromorphic Computing Technologies for AI.