Lifeport Semicon Innovation Challenge 2026: help shape the future of the semiconductor industry

The Lifeport Semicon Innovation Challenge 2026 (LSIC26) will take place on 26 and 27 August. This open innovation platform brings together professionals, researchers and experts from the semiconductor industry to work on the next major breakthroughs in the semiconductor sector.

LSIC26 focuses on identifying the most ambitious, innovative and impactful innovation challenges that will strengthen the European semiconductor ecosystem and contribute to Europe’s position as a global leader over the next ten years. During the challenge, participants will work together to turn these challenges into concrete solutions.

For whom
LSIC26 is for professionals working in the Lifeport semicon industry and researchers working in fields that are relevant for industry (and instead of now giving an endless long list of relevant research fields, we’d like to say: ‘you know who you are’). You can either pitch your own idea or join one of the idea groups. The challenge is open to participants from across the Netherlands.

Why participate?
At this informal and fun event, you will get the chance to exchange ideas with other experts who are open to new innovative projects. This is a fertile ground for public-private collaborations and entrepreneurial adventures with like-minded people to work on challenges that will bring change in semicon.  

Programme
LSIC2026 consists of three stages over the course of 24 hours process in three stages:

  • Open Stage – 26 August, 15:00 – 19:00
    We start with an open podium where anyone can pitch their innovation challenge. Think of technologies improving the energy-efficiency of chips, novel material concepts, new security designs or solutions to challenges in chip design, packaging or production. We have room for a maximum of 20 pitches. The day concludes with you selecting the top 10 challenges you want to work on the next 21 hours. We wrap up stage one with drinks and pizza.
     
  • Behind the Stage Sprint – 27 August, 10:00 – 14:00
    All participants self-select the challenge they want to work on. In these improvised teams (ideally with a mix of researchers and industry professionals) you’ll design a draft innovation programme that includes at least the moonshot statement, the Minimum Viable Project, potential customers and market potential, partners that you have (or want to bring) on board and a first cost calculation and timeline. A template for this will be provided. This stage is the pressure cooker where everything comes together.
     
  • Pitch Stage – 27 August, 14:00 – 16:00
    We finish the challenge with pitches of all groups. We bring in an expert jury (board members, experts, investors) that carries 50% of the vote, and you as participants take the other 50% of the vote.
     
  • Closing stage
    We end the day with drinks and bitterballen at the heart of the Lifeport semicon ecosystem including the semicon community of the Netherlands.

Venue

  • 26 August: Radboud Campus – The Launch
  • 27 August: Noviotech Campus

What can you win
The top 5 winners get support (worth €10k) to develop the challenge into a fundable project, with clarity on the consortium, a realistic project planning and support for writing the first grant application or pitch deck for investors. On top of this you will be able to connect with the existing network in the region and beyond, which can help you grow your idea. This support is brought to you by the Lifeport Semicon team, and no, we don’t take shares, it’s your project. We just want to find the brightest minds in Europe, so we know who we can connect with when we are looking for new partners.

Register now
There are 50 places available. The official language of the challenge is English.

Register now!