HightechXL goes intergalactic with ESA deal

HighTechXL has announced a new, long-term partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA). Starting this year, the Dutch deep-tech venture-building program will be teaming up with ESA to develop new ventures around ESA technology and bring them to market. HightechXL is looking to further strengthen its track record of tech transfer, as already established with Aircision and Dynaxion, both based on CERN-developed technology.

Two of the ESA technologies entering the HightechXL program have already been announced. First is the space agency’s patented optical chip gyroscope. For this, teams at HightechXL will work to integrate the stabilizing technology into a photonic chip to create incredibly small and accurate sensors with potential applications in healthcare, aviation and the semiconductor industry. Second is ESA’s patented hollow-waveguide-array image technology, which is used for high-quality imaging and mapping of space – which is thought to hold a potential for application in industries from healthcare diagnostic equipment to digital entertainment.