HETiA – imec Workshop: Promoting Deep-Tech Innovation Through Strategic Collaboration
On April 8th and 9th, 2025, the Hellenic Emerging Technologies Industry Association (HETiA), in collaboration with imec, successfully organized a two-day workshop hosted by and held at the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), on collaboration and strategic dialogue between academia and industry in the field of deep technologies. The event gathered participants primarily from the Greek research and industrial ecosystem, with active involvement from HETiA members and a notable contribution from imec.
(Participants during registration and welcome coffee at NTUA)
The agenda for the workshop was as follows:
The event began with a plenary session that set the tone for two days of productive dialogue and knowledge exchange. Senior representatives from imec and HETiA presented their shared vision for the development of a robust, innovation-driven technological ecosystem in Greece and beyond.
(Opening plenary session at NTUA, with participants from across academia and industry)
Over the two days, the workshop featured six focused technical sessions covering key thematic areas in advanced technology. Key takeaways per session were as follows:
- Life Sciences & Health Technologies
Participants explored next-generation sensing technologies, IoT applications in food safety, and bioMEMS manufacturing. The parties agreed that this is an area that has plenty of potential and need to work closer together to define a collaboration framework for this area.
Organizations presenting in the session were: Centaur, ES Systems, imec & NCSR Demokritos
- HW/SW Co-optimization
Discussions centered on system-scale design challenges and co-development strategies for efficient computing architectures. There was a shared understanding that addressing system-scale challenges requires tight HW/SW co-development for efficient computing systems.
Organizations presenting in the session were: Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), imec & Si-Hi Technologies
- Overview of imec’s Academic Relationships
In this dedicated session, imec presented an overview of its long-standing academic collaborations and strategic partnerships with universities worldwide. The session underscored imec’s commitment to global academic collaboration, emphasizing structured partnerships that foster research alignment, technology transfer, and joint ecosystem development.
Presented by: imec
- Fabless IC Design
This session addressed the opportunities available for fabless IC design in Europe, focusing on infrastructure and market access. Stakeholders acknowledged the growing potential for fabless IC design in Europe, stressing the importance of enhancing design infrastructure and improving market accessibility.
Organizations presenting in the session were: Argo Semi, imec & University of Ioannina (UoI)
- RF & mmWave Design
Advanced research in analog RF and mmWave circuit design for 5G and beyond was presented. The session showcased cutting-edge research in RF and mmWave design, reinforcing its critical role in enabling 5G and future wireless technologies.
Organizations presenting in the session were: Akronic, imec & University of Patras (UPAT)
- 2D Materials
Speakers highlighted the role of low-dimensional materials in logic devices, their integration into CMOS processes, and sustainability aspects. The session emphasized the potential of 2D materials in advancing logic devices, with a focus on CMOS integration and sustainable semiconductor development.
Organizations presenting in the session were: EDALogic, imec & NCSR Demokritos
- Design & System Scaling Research
Topics included scalable architectures, energy efficiency, and the collaborative work taking place between imec and NTUA. Focus was placed on joint research between imec and NTUA, aiming to develop scalable architectures with a strong emphasis on energy-efficient system design.
Organizations presenting in the session were: ANSYS, imec, National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) & Trimsignal
(Workshop Highlights)
At the end of the first day, a Business Networking & Partnership Exploration Reception was held at the NYX Esperia Hotel in Athens, providing a platform for dialogue and collaboration-building among participants. As part of the reception, a dedicated session on imec.DeepTechVentures presented imec’s venture-building initiatives and its ongoing support for emerging deep-tech startups.
(Evening networking reception and imec.DeepTechVentures session at NYX Hotel)
(Workshop’s closing session)
About the Workshop:
The HETiA – imec Workshop was designed to foster interaction among industry leaders, academic researchers, and technology innovators. Through focused sessions and targeted networking, the event addressed key challenges and opportunities shaping the future of nanoelectronics and deep technologies in Europe.
About imec:
Imec is a world-leading research and innovation center in nanoelectronics and digital technologies. Imec leverages its state-of-the-art R&D infrastructure and its team of more than 6,000 employees and top researchers, for R&D in advanced semiconductor and system scaling, silicon photonics, artificial intelligence, beyond 5G communications and sensing technologies, and in application domains such as compute technologies & systems, health, automotive, energy, infotainment, industry, agrifood & security. Imec unites world-industry leaders across the semiconductor value chain, Flanders-based and international tech, pharma, medical and ICT companies, start-ups, and academia and knowledge centers. Imec is headquartered in Leuven (Belgium), and has research sites across Belgium, in the Netherlands, the UK and the USA, and representation in 3 continents. In 2024, imec’s revenue (P&L) totaled 1.034 billion euro.
Further information on imec can be found at www.imec-int.com
About HETiA:
HETiA is the alliance of highly innovative industrial and academic performers, promoting digital technology proliferation and entrepreneurship in emerging technology domains. HETiA is the evolution of the Hellenic Semiconductor Industry Association that was launched in 2005.
Further information on HETiA can be found at https://hetia.org/
