#Europe #Czech Republic #Semiconductor #Brno

Czech Semiconductor Centre Launches in Brno

On April 9, 2025, a landmark event took place in Brno, Czech Republic, with the unveiling of the Czech Semiconductor Centre (CSC). This initiative aims to enhance Europe’s semiconductor independence by fostering innovation and supporting fabless companies focused on semiconductor design and development, thereby reducing reliance on foreign supply chains.

Located in one of Europe’s most prominent regions for chip design, the CSC is a collaborative effort led by the Brno University of Technology and the Czech Technical University in Prague. It also includes partnerships with key industry players such as onsemi, Codasip, the Czech National Semiconductor Cluster, and the innovation agency JIC. This collective seeks to create a hub of excellence in chip education, talent development, and support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the semiconductor sector.

The centre is designed to assist European fabless firms by providing critical resources such as mentorship, financial advice, access to state-of-the-art design tools, prototyping facilities, and small-scale chip production capabilities. Such support is pivotal for the growth of SMEs, especially in semiconductor design and related technologies.

A unique aspect of the Brno region's contribution to the semiconductor landscape is its prominence in electron microscopy, a technology essential for the manufacturing, quality control, and overall lifecycle management of semiconductors. Petr Strelec, the director of Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Brno site, pointed out that Brno produces one out of every three electron microscopes used around the globe, highlighting its strategic advantage for Europe's chip ambitions.

Several global leaders in electron microscopy are based in Brno, including Thermo Fisher Scientific, Tescan, and Delong Instruments, which collectively exported 93% of their products in 2023 and invested substantially in research and development. This robust ecosystem reinforces the region’s credentials as a deep technology hub.

In 2023, the South Moravian region of the Czech Republic became the first member of the European Semiconductor Regions Alliance, emphasizing its commitment to enhancing the semiconductor ecosystem.

Karel Masarik, director of the CSC and founder of the RISC-V company Codasip, elaborated on the significance of the Czech semiconductor landscape, stating, "The Czech semiconductor ecosystem, with Brno at its core, is vital for reducing Europe’s dependency on non-European chip production. The unique combination of chip design expertise and technologies like electron microscopy positions us to contribute crucial capabilities to Europe's semiconductor supply chain."

The establishment of the Czech Semiconductor Centre marks an exciting new chapter in the quest for European semiconductor autonomy, setting the stage for innovation and growth within the industry. With its strategic focus on education, technology, and support for SMEs, the CSC is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping Europe’s semiconductor future.