From 2025, Graz will be home the "CHIPS Competence Centre," in collaboration with TU Graz, Silicon ALPS, and several institutes in Leoben. The aim is to strengthen computer chip development in Styria, in particular for the medical, mobility, and energy sectors. It will be one of 29 EU-funded competence centres across Europe.
The goal is to strengthen both the development and production of computer chips to avoid supply shortages, as global demand for computer chips is expected to double by 2030. The competence centre will also serve as a point of contact for start-ups and small and medium-sized businesses, to produce the necessary chips for product development. An additional aim of developing the semiconductor industry in Styria is to aid job creation, as the semiconductor industry is predicted to require 370,000 additional jobs across Europe by 2030.
The EU is directly funding this initiative with four million euros, with an additional four million from the Austrian Government. More than half of these funds will be directed to start-ups and small and medium-sized businesses starting in January.
