The Strategic Triangle
How the Netherlands, Dallas–Fort Worth and Bengaluru Are Shaping Global Tech
For decades, Silicon Valley defined the global technology narrative. Startups, venture capital and rapid software innovation drew the world’s attention. Today, a quieter but far more consequential shift is underway. A new configuration is emerging — a triangle connecting the Netherlands, Dallas–Fort Worth in Texas and Bengaluru in India — that is quietly defining the future of deep technology.
This triangle is not about trendy apps or flashy valuations. It is a distributed system, balancing intellectual property, industrial scale and engineering talent, and it is quietly reshaping how global technology is designed, built and financed.
Read MoreWho Controls Light Controls the Future
Photonics, EUV lithography and Europe’s fragile technological advantage
Photonics is not a buzzword. It is the technology that carries the internet across oceans, enables chips to be etched at atomic scale and forms the foundation of future quantum systems. From fibre-optic communications to advanced manufacturing, photonics has become a critical enabler of modern societies. By 2030, the global photonics market is expected to exceed one trillion dollars. Yet at the heart of this rapidly expanding field lies a strategic chokepoint: extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography.
For now, that chokepoint sits firmly in Europe. ASML, headquartered in the Netherlands, supplies nearly all EUV lithography systems worldwide. These machines are indispensable for producing advanced semiconductors below seven nanometres — the chips that power artificial intelligence, high-performance computing and advanced defence systems. But in 2025, that dominance has been challenged, at least symbolically. China has unveiled a working EUV prototype. The message is clear: technological sovereignty is no longer theoretical. It is geopolitical reality.
Read MorePeter Wennink’s Wake-Up Call
Why the Netherlands Must Choose Between Comfort and Competitiveness
Last Friday at Nieuwspoort, former ASML CEO Peter Wennink presented his report, “The Netherlands: From Delay to Action”, outlining a roadmap for the country’s economic future. Central to his vision is a shift toward a technologically advanced and highly productive society, supported by top-tier education and resilient economic structures. Wennink emphasizes that the Netherlands cannot rely on incremental policy adjustments alone; achieving long-term prosperity requires decisive action to secure technological leadership and strengthen national earning capacity.
The scale of the transformation is substantial, with projected investments between €151 and €187 billion by 2035. The report offers 51 concrete proposals, covering regulatory reforms as well as strategic investments in artificial intelligence, energy, defense and digital infrastructure. Collectively, these measures represent one of the most comprehensive economic frameworks in recent Dutch history, aimed at positioning the Netherlands to navigate a rapidly evolving and increasingly competitive global landscape.
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