Collaborative research
Big innovations are no longer the achievements of solitary brilliant minds, but the result of streamlined collaboration. To facilitate these synergies, imec gathers multiple partners around its ecosystem, talent and infrastructure.
Speed up innovation
This might sound familiar: you’re eager to innovate but can’t seem to make it out of the starting blocks. Indeed, the cost of early research is extremely high. And some challenges are just too big to tackle alone.
The answer is precompetitive research: sharing expertise and research among partners across the value chain. Lowering risks and costs for everyone involved.
Share unique assets
Imec offers equipment and material suppliers an open innovation R&D platform for their joint early development needs. By taking a long-term view and interacting on a deep level, they’re able to:
- accelerate their technology advancements
- share their costs
- minimize their risks
- optimize their return on investment
All partners benefit from the unique assets imec offers:
State-of-the-art infrastructure
Equipment and material suppliers have continued access to imec’s facilities, including the 12,000 m² 300 mm cleanroom, photovoltaic development lines, biolabs, test labs and smart spaces. That gives them a decided advantage in the race for next-generation technologies.
Top-of-the-class talent
More than 5,000 people work in the creative and stimulating imec environment. They come from around the globe and have a stunning variety of scientific backgrounds. That makes imec the perfect place for turning your ideas into reality.
One-of-a-kind ecosystem
Imec is not an island of academic research. It’s the center of a vibrant ecosystem of local and global partners: universities and companies across the value chain and from a multitude of industries. That ensures more interactions, higher creativity and better integrated technologies.
Ready to shape the future with us? Let’s talk.
Some examples of R&D with multiple partners
Meet imec fellow Mircea Dusa
Mircea is a visionary scientist in lithography, with a deep understanding of photolithography and optical equipment built over many years.
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How hyperscalers are rethinking AI infrastructure
To move data faster, farther, and more efficiently, the AI ecosystem is exploring RF silicon interposer technology that allows to heterogeneously integrate CMOS, BiCMOS, and III-V materials
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ITF USA 2026 at SEMICON® West
From silicon to systems: building the AI future The pace of AI evolution leaves little room for certainty. Yet, several trends are clear: AI agents increasingly collaborating in orchestrated ecosystems are on the rise. Physical AI is a crucial next step, including (humanoid) robots transforming our homes and workspaces. In parallel, AI – just like advances in quantum computing – could help unlock breakthroughs in fields such as physics and biology. Building the AI future starts with a solid hardware foundation – from high-performance, energy-efficient compute in the data centers to low-power, real-time inference at the edge. ITF USA at SEMICON® West presents the building blocks for shaping the AI future. On October 12 in San Francisco, we take stock of the full AI deep-tech stack: from silicon to systems, from research to manufacturing. Discover ITF USA
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