The kick-off of the ChipNL Competence Centre this week marks an additional impulse to boost the innovation and capabilities of the Dutch semiconductor industry. Established in alignment with the EU Chips Act, the Centre should 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 12 million euros for the next four years to the new ChipNL Competence Centre.
This four year project aims to strengthen the Dutch semiconductor industry by stimulating innovation, collaboration and talent development and enhance the 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. The centre focuses on supporting and connecting parts of the value chains with Dutch SMEs, start- 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 the TU/e. In the ChipNL Competence Centre, TU/e brings in 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 the ChipNL Competence Centre
The ChipNL Competence Centre supports SMEs, startups and multinationals 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 customised 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 programme should promote the development of new skills and strengthen the labour market for the semicon 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 internationalisation, as well as identifying innovation opportunities within the sector. The regional development organisations OostNL, InnovationQuarter and BOM and High Tech NL will be responsible for these activities.
The ChipNL Competence Center should be further positioning the Netherlands as a hub for semiconductor innovation, while contributing to broader European goals
A booster for Dutch SMEs and startups in the semicon industry
With this grant, we can further support 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 programmes, the ChipNL Competence Centre aims to provide a solid foundation for SMEs and startups to compete in the global market.
About the EU Chips Act
The EU Chips Act is a comprehensive legislative framework designed to enhance Europe's semiconductor capabilities. By fostering collaboration, driving investments, and building a network of competence centres, the Act aims to ensure Europe's leadership in this strategically vital industry.
