#Czech Republic #European Chips Act #Brno #Czech Semiconductor Centre

Czech Semiconductor Centre Launches in Brno

A new era for Europe's semiconductor autonomy has commenced with the launch of the Czech Semiconductor Centre (CSC) in Brno, Czech Republic. This facility is strategically positioned in one of Europe's strongest regions for chip design and aims to bolster innovation, prototyping, and growth for fabless semiconductor companies across the continent.

As a national competence center under the European Chips Act, the CSC is committed to enhancing the independence of the European semiconductor industry. It’s overseen by the Brno University of Technology in collaboration with the Czech Technical University in Prague, onsemi, Codasip, the Czech National Semiconductor Cluster, and the innovation agency JIC. Together, they plan to create a European hub for excellence that focuses on chip design, education, talent development, and support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

The centre is set to offer European fabless companies various support mechanisms including mentoring, financial advisory services, access to advanced design tools, prototyping platforms, and small-scale chip production. These factors are crucial for the growth of European SMEs in semiconductor design and instrumentation, contributing to reduced reliance on international supply chains. To achieve these ambitious goals, the CSC will leverage Brno's extensive expertise in IP design, Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tool development, and comprehensive material research and characterization.

In addition to chip design, Brno's prominence in electron microscopy technologies uniquely positions the region within the semiconductor landscape. This technology is vital for the development, manufacturing, and quality control of semiconductors throughout the entire lifecycle of chips. According to Petr Strelec, director of Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Brno site, "One in three electron microscopes used globally comes from Brno. This concentration of expertise in electron microscopy is a strategic asset for Europe’s semiconductor ambitions concerning a robust supply chain.”

Leading companies in electron microscopy such as Thermo Fisher Scientific, Tescan, and Delong Instruments are situated in Brno, where in 2023, 93% of their production was exported, highlighting the region's strong commitment to research and development, and its technological prowess.

In 2023, South Moravia became the first Czech member of the European Alliance of Semiconductor Regions. Karel Masarik, director of the CSC and founder of the RISC-V firm Codasip, reflects on this achievement by stating, "The Czech semiconductor ecosystem, with Brno at its core, is a significant component of Europe’s strategy to reduce its reliance on non-European chip production. By combining Brno's unique expertise in chip design with complementary technologies such as electron microscopy, we are adding critical capabilities to the value chain of the European semiconductor industry."

The establishment of the CSC marks a pivotal moment for Europe as it seeks to bolster its semiconductor capabilities and reduce dependence on external sources, thus paving the way for a more secure and self-reliant future in technology.