The Xecs Matchmaking Event 2026 brought together more than 200 registrants from over 20 countries in Vienna on 6–7 October, highlighting the strength of international collaboration across the Electronic Components and Systems (ECS) ecosystem. Organised through Xecs, the Eureka Network Cluster operated by AENEAS, the event offered two days of project ideas, expert insights, networking and opportunities to build new R&D partnerships.
Held at the historic Palais Eschenbach, the event welcomed representatives from industry, SMEs, research and technology organisations, academia and Public Authorities, including many AENEAS members and newcomers eager to join the international ECS community.
Sharing a Vision, Turning It into Action
Opening the event, Caroline Bedran, AENEAS Director General, invited participants to reflect on a simple question: Why are we all here today? Her message centred on four closely connected principles: sharing a vision, sharing a mission, implementing actions and delivering impact.
From the shared ambition of building a safer, more sustainable world to defining common research priorities, implementing collaborative R&D&I programmes and delivering concrete project results, Caroline highlighted the importance of collective action across the ECS value chain.
Her opening also underlined the role of AENEAS as a not-for-profit industry association representing more than 600 members, bringing together companies of all sizes, research organisations and universities.
Through its activities, AENEAS works to foster research, development and innovation, contribute to shaping European R&D&I priorities and funding opportunities, and strengthen the competitiveness of the European ECS industry. Operating Xecs is one of the concrete ways AENEAS puts this mission into practice, enabling international, industry-driven collaborative projects and connecting organisations with complementary expertise.
Two Days of Exchanges and Collaborative Opportunities
The programme reflected this ambition, combining presentations of Xecs Call 6 and the first Xecs Thematic Quantum Call with project pitches, SME expertise presentations, matchmaking meetings and practical workshops.
Participants explored 25 Project Ideas through pitches and posters, alongside 13 SME Expertise pitches, discovering innovative concepts and potential partners from across the ECS value chain.
A highlight of the opening day was the presentation of the Xecs Innovation Award 2026 to the e²LEAD project, recognising the achievements of its international consortium in developing advanced packaging technologies for next-generation automotive computing platforms. The award provided a concrete example of how collaborative research can lead to meaningful technological results.
The second day offered further insights into the development and implementation of successful R&D projects. A dedicated Quantum Workshop, organised by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG), explored emerging industrial applications, while the Xecs Workshop addressed the different stages of a collaborative project, from consortium building and proposal preparation to project management, exploitation and impact.
Participants also had the opportunity to discover innovation in action during a site visit to emotion3D, part of indie Semiconductor, featuring demonstrations of advanced driver and occupant monitoring technologies.
Beyond the formal programme, the event was marked by lively discussions, new connections and an atmosphere of openness and collaboration. For AENEAS members, it was another opportunity to exchange with peers from across the ecosystem, discover complementary expertise and explore new partnerships. For newcomers, it offered a welcoming introduction to the Xecs community and its collaborative opportunities.
Building on the Connections Made in Vienna
For AENEAS, the Xecs Matchmaking Event is more than a networking opportunity. It reflects the association’s commitment to bringing the ECS community together, encouraging knowledge exchange and supporting the development of impactful collaborative projects.
The diversity of participants and the many conversations initiated in Vienna once again demonstrated the value of a strong, connected international ecosystem, where established industry players, SMEs, research organisations and new partners can work together towards common objectives.
As the connections made in Vienna continue to develop, AENEAS looks forward to supporting its members and the wider ECS community in transforming new ideas and partnerships into the collaborative innovations of tomorrow.
Discover the full programme highlights, speakers and event photos in the Xecs Matchmaking Event 2026 recap.