Five billion euros per year – that’s what André van Geelen believes the Netherlands needs if it really wants to make progress in semiconductors. According to him, that investment will more than pay for itself through knowledge, employment and economic growth. Bits&Chips asked Van Geelen to paint the full picture.
Half an hour – that’s all the time André van Geelen can spare amid the hectic startup phase of his new company Coolsem, where he serves as CEO. We meet during the European Microwave Week in Utrecht, where he’s networking and making rounds of meetings.
His network is extensive. After studying in Nijmegen, Van Geelen began his career at Philips Natlab, working on semiconductor lasers. He later joined JDS Uniphase with the telecom laser group and then held various roles at both large players (NXP, Qualcomm) and startups (Threefive Photonics, Epcos). Over the past decade, he’s advised investors and numerous startups as an independent consultant.
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