European Chip Centre Starts Operation in the Czech Republic

The European Union has begun operation of five state-of-the-art prototyping lines for the production of cutting-edge chips, including one of the most advanced in the world.

This initiative will enable startups, corporations, and universities to produce test samples of their chip designs locally, eliminating the need to outsource to custom manufacturers like TSMC in Taiwan.

The project, with a budget of €3.7 billion (over CZK 92 billion), includes a new semiconductor hub in the Czech Republic, set to launch in March.

The center will be led by a key figure in the local semiconductor industry and will also contribute to developing a European processor.

Czech Semiconductor Center to Open in March

The newly established Czech Semiconductor Center, based in Brno, will be part of the EU’s Chips Act, an initiative designed to strengthen Europe’s position in semiconductor development and production.

The center will operate in collaboration with the Brno University of Technology (BUT), Czech Technical University (CTU), the South Moravian Innovation Center (JIC), the National Semiconductor Cluster, and companies like Onsemi and Codasip.

The center’s primary mission is to provide access to five European prototyping lines and specialized chip design software. These resources will help accelerate the development of new semiconductor technologies, facilitate small-scale chip production, and offer professional training.

Additionally, the initiative will help startups and university spinoffs avoid costly licensing fees for American chip design software, such as Cadence, and prevent reliance on Asian manufacturers for prototype production—two major barriers to entry in the semiconductor industry.

Advancing the Czech Semiconductor Industry

“Our aim is to drive progress in chip design, manufacturing, and advanced packaging. The vision includes launching six new Czech semiconductor startups, tripling the number of microelectronics graduates, and increasing technology exports by 200%,” stated Jana Drbohlavová, coordinator of the Czech Semiconductor Center. These objectives align with the national semiconductor strategy approved by the government last year.

“We want to establish a strong fabless sector in the country—companies that design chips but outsource production to specialized manufacturers,” added Stanislav Černý, director of the National Semiconductor Cluster.

Europe’s Five Advanced Chip Prototyping Lines

The EU’s five prototyping lines will focus on various advanced technologies. The most ambitious facility will be operated by Belgium’s research institute Imec, a global leader in semiconductor innovation. This site will specialize in 2nm and smaller process technologies—a significant advancement, as TSMC currently produces chips for Apple using a 3nm process.

Another major research hub, CEA-Leti in Grenoble, France, will focus on European FD-SOI technology, known for its high performance and energy efficiency. This technology is already licensed by major companies like Google, Qualcomm, and MediaTek, particularly for 5G chips. It will also be explored for AI, quantum computing, and other applications.

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