ASML is looking to expand its investment activities in Europe’s technology sector, both within and beyond its traditional supply chains. Speaking to the Financial Times, CEO Christophe Fouquet said deploying more capital would be good “for the company, for people and ultimately for Europe.”
While ASML has occasionally backed strategic partners, the company hasn’t traditionally been known as an active investor in the wider technology sector. Key investments and/or acquisitions include EUV source manufacturer Cymer, metrology firm HMI and optics specialist Zeiss (links in Dutch). More recently, ASML partnered with French AI startup Mistral and the Veldhoven-based firm is also an indirect investor in startups by participating in the DeeptechXL fund.
The comments come as the European Commission prepares a new semiconductor strategy that includes emergency powers to direct chip supplies during shortages. Fouquet warned against policymakers trying to manage supply chains directly, noting that Europe lacks sufficient domestic production capacity in many parts of the semiconductor value chain. Instead, he called for policies that make it easier for companies to scale through faster permitting, better access to capital and lighter regulatory burdens.
