News: Optoelectronics
31 December 2024
Netherlands launches ChipNL Competence Centre to drive semiconductor innovation
The ChipNL Competence Centre has been launched, aiming to advance technological capabilities and foster innovation in the Dutch semiconductor ecosystem. The European Commission and the Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland (RVO) have jointly allocated a budget of €12m for the next four years. Specifically, the four-year project aims to stimulate innovation, collaboration and talent development and to enhance global competitiveness of the Netherlands and Europe in semiconductor technologies.
The ChipNL Competence Centre is part of the European Chips Act. Within this, the European Competence Centres function as national hubs for research, development and cooperation between industry, government and knowledge institutions. They should contribute to accelerating innovation and technological solutions, stimulating talent development and strengthening the European value chain in semiconductors.
Dutch contribution to European network of Competence Centers
The ChipNL Competence Centre is a collaboration between Brainport Development, ChipTech Twente, High Tech NL, TNO, JePPIX, imec and the regional development companies OostNL, BOM and InnovationQuarter. It focuses on supporting and connecting parts of the value chains with Dutch SMEs, start-ups and scale-ups in the semiconductor sector and related application markets with a focus on semiconductor manufacturing equipment, chip design, (integrated) photonics, quantum and heterogeneous integration.
JePPIX (Joint European Platform for Photonic Integration Components and Circuits, an association of commercial enterprises, research organizations and universities serving as a platform for promoting integrated photonics on a European level) is coordinated by TU/e. In the ChipNL Competence Centre, TU/e brings its experience with managing the developer community for photonic integrated circuits from JePPIX, complementing Dutch electronic chip design capabilities with the latest photonic and heterogeneous techniques.
Activities and support of ChipNL Competence Centre
The ChipNL Competence Centre supports SMEs, startups and multi-nationals to access European pilot lines that allow them to test and validate new technologies in a controlled and advanced environment. In addition, an innovative design platform is being developed within the EU Chips Act to support industry in designing and developing customized semiconductor solutions. The ChipNL Competence Centre also facilitates access to this by providing support and knowledge. TNO, imec and JePPIX will be responsible for these activities.
To train the right talent for the future, the Centre will cooperate with the EU Skills Initiatives and the Microchip Talent reinforcement plan (project Beethoven). The talent program aims to promote the development of new skills and strengthen the labor market for the semiconductor sector. Brainport Development and ChipTechTwente will be responsible for these activities.
In addition, the ChipNL Competence Centre offers support in obtaining funding through the EU Chip Fund, which was set up specifically to stimulate innovative projects in the semiconductor industry. These activities are complemented by support in business development, fundraising and internationalization, as well as identifying innovation opportunities within the sector. The regional development organizations OostNL, InnovationQuarter and BOM and High Tech NL will be responsible for these activities.
The ChipNL Competence Center should further position the Netherlands as a hub for semiconductor innovation, while contributing to broader European goals.
Boost for Dutch SMEs and startups in the semiconductor industry
The grant aims to enable further support for the Dutch chip industry to strengthen its knowledge position and competitiveness and further consolidate its position within Europe. By supporting companies with access to pilot lines, the design platform, financing opportunities and talent programs, the ChipNL Competence Centre aims to provide a foundation for SMEs and startups to compete in the global market.
Chips JU to fund new European pilot line for Advanced Photonic Integrated Circuits
EU-funded Chips JU selects four new pilot lines to be implemented in Europe
www.chips-ju.europa.eu/Pilot-lines
