ICSENSE NV

Their core work

ICSENSE is a Belgian fabless semiconductor company specializing in custom integrated circuit (ASIC) design for sensing applications. Based in Leuven near the IMEC ecosystem, they design readout electronics and signal conditioning chips used in medical imaging, radiation detection, and micro-fabricated sensor systems. Their H2020 participation shows consistent focus on translating IC design expertise into medical device and detector applications, contributing specialized analog/mixed-signal chip design to large European pilot line and innovation projects.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

ICSENSE began with parallel tracks in X-ray detector electronics (DiCoMo, 2015) and medical device microfabrication (InForMed, 2015), then consolidated around medical applications with Moore4Medical in 2020. The shift from broad sensing applications toward dedicated medical device IC design suggests a strategic narrowing. Their recent keyword association with "open and enabling technology platforms" reflects participation in large-scale ECSEL-type manufacturing ecosystems rather than standalone R&D.

ICSENSE is doubling down on medical device semiconductor design, positioning themselves as a go-to ASIC partner for European medtech pilot lines and manufacturing platforms.

How they like to work

ICSENSE operates exclusively as a participant, never leading projects — consistent with a specialized SME contributing niche IC design expertise to larger consortia. With 92 unique partners across 15 countries, they integrate into very large ECSEL and innovation action consortia (often 30+ partners). This indicates they are a trusted, low-friction technical contributor that large consortia seek out for specific semiconductor capabilities.

Despite only 3 projects, ICSENSE has worked with 92 unique partners across 15 countries, reflecting participation in large-scale ECSEL consortia that bring together Europe's semiconductor and medical device ecosystems. Their Leuven base places them at the center of Belgium's microelectronics cluster.

What sets them apart

ICSENSE sits at the intersection of custom IC design and medical device manufacturing — a niche few European SMEs occupy. Their Leuven location embeds them in the IMEC microelectronics ecosystem, giving them access to fabrication infrastructure and semiconductor talent. For consortium builders, they offer a rare combination: a small, agile ASIC design house with proven experience in large-scale European medical device pilot lines.

Highlights from their portfolio

• DiCoMo
  Largest single EC contribution (€650K) and a technically distinctive project combining organic semiconductors with X-ray detection — outside their later medical device focus.
• Moore4Medical
  Most recent project (2020-2023) on the ECSEL platform for medical device microfabrication, signaling their current strategic direction.