A consortium led by Imec will develop a European chip design platform within the framework of the European Chips Act. The platform aims to provide startups, SMEs, and research institutions with easier access to design infrastructure, training, and capital.
Imec coordinates a consortium of twelve European partners to develop the EU Chips Design Platform. The European Union is funding this initiative through Chips JU. The goal is to support startups in the semiconductor sector, SMEs, and research institutions by providing them access to advanced design tools and expertise.
The platform takes the form of a cloud-based virtual environment where participants can find resources for chip design, training, and financial support. Startups and SMEs will be able to use commercial EDA tools, IP libraries, and open-source design repositories, among other resources.
Stimulating Growth
The platform also provides access to so-called pilot line technology within the framework of the EU Chips Act, which aims to bridge the gap between laboratory demonstration and production. Through incubation, acceleration, and mentoring programs, the platform also aims to stimulate further growth of young companies.
The first startups and SMEs are expected to join the platform in early 2026. They will gain access to European design and manufacturing capabilities, including packaging and testing of chips, through a low-threshold model.
The establishment of the platform is part of the broader objectives of the European Chips Act, which aims to strengthen Europe’s position in the global semiconductor market. In addition to initiatives for pilot-line technology, the initiative also provides support for fabless chip companies that focus exclusively on design. Imec expects that the platform will significantly reduce costs and time-to-market, which should stimulate the growth of the European chip design industry.
Participants
For the coordination, Imec is joined by other companies and organizations from the sector within Europe. The platform is further guided by the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e. V. and the Leibniz Institute for High Performance Microelectronics in Germany, Silicon Austria Labs from Austria, Fondaziona Chips-IT in Italy, the Spanish National Research Council, the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory in Portugal, the Eindhoven University of Technology from the Netherlands, Tampere University from Finland, CVUT in the Czech Republic, and the AGH University of Krakow from Poland.
The agreement for funds with Chips JU is to be signed later this year. The project runs until the end of 2028.