Wednesday 18 February 2026

Ireland’s National Competence Centre in Semiconductors (I-C3), a significant milestone in Ireland’s commitment to semiconductor innovation and European collaboration under the European Chips Act, has invited startups and SMEs to lead the future of chips innovation.

I-C3 will focus on startups and SMEs by providing access to essential resources, including funding pathways, training, design tools and pilot line facilities. Its mission is to empower Ireland’s startups and SMEs in the semiconductor sector with hands-on access to design, production, funding and training to accelerate innovation and growth in Ireland’s semiconductor sector.

'Greater diversity of expertise and depth of innovation'

Enterprise minister Peter Burke said: "As a hub for the semiconductor ecosystem, my department is delighted that I-C3 will ensure that opportunities as part of the Chips for Europe Initiative are accessible for business-es of all sizes within the industry, along with bringing greater diversity of expertise and depth of innovation to the knowledge base of the semiconductor ecosystem in Europe. I-C3’s launch is another significant milestone in the delivery of Silicon Island: Ireland’s National Semiconductor Strategy.

“With this launch, my department is very excited about I-C3’s ability to empower Irish SMEs to scale internationally, drive innovation across the semiconductor ecosystem and create high-value jobs. I-C3 will also facilitate the development of skills, talent and build on our strengths by enhancing the relationship between infrastructure, industry, and RD&I capability to ensure Ire-land leads in advanced manufacturing and chip design.” 

Co-ordinated by Tyndall National Institute and supported by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (DETE) through Enterprise Ireland, I-C3 is a consortium comprising Tyndall National Institute, a research flagship of University College Cork (UCC), MCCI, MIDAS Ireland, NovaUCD, and University College Dublin. The centre is one of 30 being established across 27 EU countries to strengthen Europe’s semiconductor ecosystem.

Overall exports of €13.5bn worth of products annually

The initiative builds on Ireland’s vibrant and extensive semiconductor industry comprising more than 130 indigenous and foreign subsidiary companies, employing more than 20,000 people, part of a 175,000-person strong broader ICT sector with overall exports of €13.5bn worth of products annually. Multinational leaders such as Intel, Apple, Qualcomm, AMD, and Analog Devices have long invested in Irish R&D. I-C3 aims to further elevate Ireland’s global standing in semiconductor innovation.

Professor William Scanlon, CEO, Tyndall, said: "I-C3 plays a key role in delivering Ireland’s Semiconductor Strategy, Silicon Island, and it is fantastic to see the centre operational and actively supporting Irish start ups and SMEs to accelerate and scale their businesses. I-C3 is helping companies across all sectors that use semiconductor technologies to secure investment, access specialist training, and connect to European pilot lines.”

Joe Healy, divisional manager, research, innovation and infrastructure at Enterprise Ireland, said: “With the support of I-C3, Ireland is set to double the number of people employed in semi-conductor startups and SMEs by 2030. The centre will act as a catalyst for innovation, collaboration, and growth, ensuring that Irish stakeholders, from academia to industry, can fully participate in the Chips for Europe Initiative.”