NORDTECH Annual Hub Meeting 2026: Advancing Innovation Through Collaboration
All photos provided by NYU Tandon School of Engineering
NORDTECH Annual Hub Meeting 2026: Advancing Innovation Through Collaboration
The NORDTECH Annual Hub Meeting 2026 brought together leaders from across government, industry, and academia for two dynamic days of collaboration, insight, and forward-looking discussion. Hosted at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering in Brooklyn, and led by NORDTECH’s founding five members, NY Creates, Cornell, RPI, University at Albany CNSE, and IBM, the event showcased the growing momentum behind the microelectronics ecosystem and reinforced the critical role of partnerships in driving innovation and strengthening national defense.
Setting the Stage for Innovation
In the lead-up to the meeting, anticipation was high as teams prepared a vibrant environment for connection and exchange. Ahead of the official kickoff, attendees participated in immersive experiences, including poster sessions, table demonstrations, a guided tour of the NYU Quantum Institute in Manhattan and an introductory chip design workshop. These hands-on opportunities underscored the importance of bridging academic research with real-world applications.
Day 1: Meeting Challenges of the Future
The event opened on June 3 with a “Funding Fireside Chat” panel, setting the tone for discussions around opportunity, investment, and sustainability. A welcome reception followed, providing attendees with the chance to build relationships, spark new ideas, and strengthen existing partnerships.
Day 2: Big Ideas Take Center Stage
The second day began with renewed energy as participants gathered for networking and a full slate of programming. Opening remarks from Dr. Juan de Pablo (NYU Tandon School of Engineering), Dr. Scott Bukofsky (NSTXL), and keynote speaker Dr. Jim Misewich (Brookhaven National Laboratory) highlighted both the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of microelectronics.
A NORDTECH roundtable discussion followed, providing updates on the hub’s progress and outlining strategic goals for continued growth.
Throughout the morning, conversations focused on advancing the ecosystem through shared resources, expertise, and innovation pipelines.
The cross-hub panel featured Steve Crago (California DREAMS), Salman Nasir (Silicon Crossroads Microelectronics Commons Hub), and Michael Greene (NORDTECH), offering valuable perspectives on collaboration across regions and sectors. Their insights centered around the importance of sustained cross-sector partnerships to accelerate innovation and strengthen national capabilities.
Ideas in Action: Driving Deeper Collaboration
Breakout sessions expanded on key priorities. Topics included:
AI hardware
Quantum technologies
Secure edge computing
Workforce development
Commercial leap-ahead initiatives
Defense industrial base
Lab-to-Fab Innovation Fast Track (LIFT)
These sessions engaged participants by highlighting the importance of connecting research breakthroughs with practical applications. Emerging tools such as the FabuBlox Hub Portal demonstrated how digital infrastructure can accelerate collaboration and streamline innovation.
The meeting also featured updates on major Microelectronics Commons-funded NORDTECH projects, including NITRIDER, SQFab, QUPICS, and HQN – each representing critical advancements within the ecosystem.
Bringing Innovation to Life
As the meeting drew to a close, attendees participated in facility tours at NYU Tandon. These moments showcased the depth of talent and innovation across the community, reinforcing the real-world impact of NORDTECH’s collaborative efforts.
Where Innovation Meets Impact
The NORDTECH Annual Hub Meeting 2026 brought together diverse stakeholders around a shared mission. Across sessions, discussions, and demonstrations, a common theme emerged: collaboration is essential to accelerating microelectronics innovation and strengthening national defense capabilities.
This year’s meeting was more than a gathering—it was also a catalyst for action, driving progress across the ecosystem and enabling connections to further shape what comes next.
Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to making this year’s Annual Hub Meeting a success.