UK Semiconductor Centre

📰 You blink and it's Friday once again, which means its time for a roundup of semiconductor stories hitting the headlines in the UK and the rest of the world this week:   --> The new Great Northeast Nanofab was announced, providing a new regional facility to support advanced microfabrication activities across the region’s universities and high-tech industries, established by Newcastle University in collab with Durham University, University of Sunderland, Teesside University and Northumbria University --> CuspAI raises a £330m Series B to advance its AI-based platform for new materials discovery, aiming to make energy networks and batteries more efficient and explore new materials for semiconductors --> REWIRE-IKC announces a new study to better understand and address barriers to diversity, inclusion and belonging across the UK semiconductor sector   --> As part of the Machinery of Government announcements, the Department for Business and Trade merges with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, to create a new Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (DBIST), with Kanishka Narayan MP taking a seat on the Cabinet and keeping the AI brief   --> Lord Patrick Vallance appointed Chair of the government's new AI Taskforce to drive overall strategy on AI    --> Intel posts fastest revenue growth in 15 years as demand for AI chips accelerates --> AMD strikes multibillion-dollar investment deal with Anthropic, involving the future purchase of AMD's latest AI server chips   As always, please keep us updated on your news, achievements, events, activities and all things semiconductors in the UK. ☀️ Have a great weekend! #Semiconductors #UKSC #Chips #Innovation

"There's not many places I go to in the world to present where people haven't already heard of Clas-SiC." A small company operating out of Lochgelly in Scotland, but having a significant impact on the global stage. 🌍 Clas-SiC Wafer Fab Ltd is the world's first dedicated open foundry for silicon carbide power semiconductors, providing specialist manufacturing services that enable organisations to rapidly develop, prototype and manufacture next-generation devices. Operating at much higher voltages, temperatures and switching frequencies, these devices are increasingly being adopted across electric vehicles, renewable energy, data centres, aerospace, rail and industrial automation. Compound semiconductors are an area in which the UK excels, from research and innovation to manufacturing, and Clas-SiC is a brilliant example of this expertise in action. 👉 Read the full Clas-SiC story here: https://lnkd.in/eivYfKDj Jennifer Walls David Clark

💬 "As the new arrangements take shape, the priority should be continuity, clear accountability and measurable results." Our CEO Andy McLean has given his reaction to the the UK government's Cabinet announcements and departmental reorganisation. He has highlighted: 🔷 Continued recognition of semiconductors as a foundation for technological advancements 🔷 Closer alignment between business and innovation 🔷 Improving connections across the entire semiconductor ecosystem 🔷 Maintaining momentum, investment, clarity and continuity to move the UK semiconductor sector forward Full reaction: "Technology is fundamental to the UK’s economic growth, resilience and international competitiveness. Semiconductors have been recognised as one of the essential frontier technologies that are fueling AI and other ground breaking technological advancements. "We trust that the new Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (DBIST) will allow for even closer alignment of business and innovation. "The appointment of Kanishka Narayan MP as Minister for Artificial Intelligence, jointly across DBIST and the Cabinet Office, is also a positive signal of the importance being placed on AI at the centre of government. "For the semiconductor sector, stronger connections between research, commercialisation, investment, skills, procurement, trade and international partnerships will bring significant benefits. But only if we maintain momentum and investment. "With organisational change comes uncertainty. We are grateful to colleagues across government and its delivery organisations who have worked with the sector to move UK semiconductor policy from repeated studies and consultation towards practical delivery. "Over the past year, colleagues across government, industry and the wider semiconductor ecosystem have helped build practical foundations for innovation, skills, investment and growth. The UK Semiconductor Centre and the AI Hardware Plan build on, and contribute to, that wider collective effort. This focus must be maintained and amplified. "As the new arrangements take shape, the priority should be continuity, clear accountability and measurable results. Businesses and investors value clarity, stability and confidence, while continuity for committed programmes will help maintain momentum through the transition. "This is an opportunity to strengthen the route from UK technology to commercial and strategic impact."

Technology is fundamental to the UK’s economic growth, resilience and international competitiveness. Semiconductors have been recognised as one of the essential frontier technologies that are fueling AI and other ground breaking technological advancements. We trust that the new Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (DBIST) will allow for even closer alignment of business and innovation. The appointment of Kanishka Narayan as Minister for Artificial Intelligence, jointly across DBIST and the Cabinet Office, is also a positive signal of the importance being placed on AI at the centre of government. For the semiconductor sector, stronger connections between research, commercialisation, investment, skills, procurement, trade and international partnerships will bring significant benefits. But only if we maintain momentum and investment. With organisational change comes uncertainty. We are grateful to colleagues across government and its delivery organisations who have worked with the sector to move UK semiconductor policy from repeated studies and consultation towards practical delivery. Over the past year, colleagues across government, industry and the wider semiconductor ecosystem have helped build practical foundations for innovation, skills, investment and growth. The UK Semiconductor Centre and the AI Hardware Plan build on, and contribute to, that wider collective effort. This focus must be maintained and amplified. As the new arrangements take shape, the priority should be continuity, clear accountability and measurable results. Businesses and investors value clarity, stability and confidence, while continuity for committed programmes will help maintain momentum through the transition. This is an opportunity to strengthen the route from UK technology to commercial and strategic impact. #semiconductors #uksc

We're delighted to unveil more details of our dedicated conference track at this year's TechWorks Semiconductors to Systems Summit. We're bringing together founders, investors, multinational companies and international partners to explore one of the sector's biggest challenges: how we help more semiconductor businesses to start, grow and scale here in the UK. Our track will feature discussions on: 🔹 Building successful semiconductor companies 🔹 Unlocking investment and growth capital 🔹 Why global companies choose to invest and operate in the UK 🔹 The role of international partnerships in strengthening UK competitiveness 🔹 The opportunities and challenges shaping the future of the UK semiconductor ecosystem Whether you're a start-up, scale-up, established business, investor, researcher, student or policymaker, this track is designed to spark new ideas, create valuable connections and help shape the future of the UK's semiconductor sector. 📅 Wednesday 26 August 📍 Novotel London West 📰 If you're signed up to the UKSC mailing list, you get free entry into the Summit. 👉 Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/em5Exz9n Andy McLean Raj Gawera Brian Robertson Martin O'Sullivan Charles Sturman Stan Boland Phillip Burr Maxime Mallet Dr Lee Thornton Ekaterina Almasque Russell Haggar Elizabeth Patterson Graham Curren Rebecca Dobson Themis Prodromakis Richard Duffy #Semiconductors #Microelectronics #DeepTech #Innovation #Investment #ScaleUp #S2SS26

📰 Happy Friday! Here's a round-up of semiconductor stories hitting the headlines in the UK and the rest of the world this week:   --> IQE secures a $14 million multi-year production order to deliver solutions across the AI and data centre markets   --> Plessey Semiconductors Ltd opens a new office in Oxford to grow its engineering capability   --> Students at Bassaleg Comprehensive School in Newport have become the first in the UK to begin a new Level 2 semiconductor qualification   --> Intel announces a €5 billion capital investment at its Leixlip campus in Ireland to scale production of advanced silicon   --> ASML raises its full-year sales forecast for the second time this year, with plans to raise production capacity of its most advanced “extreme ultraviolet” lithography machines by 30 per cent next year #Semiconductors #UKSC #Chips #Innovation 

🚨 Final Call for Exhibitors – Deadline 17th July! There are just a few exhibitor tables remaining for the TechWorks Semiconductors to Systems Summit, taking place on 26th August in London. This is your last opportunity to showcase your organisation at one of the UK's leading deep tech events, bringing together the entire semiconductor-to-systems value chain under one roof. As an exhibitor, you'll have the opportunity to: 🔹 Showcase your products, services and innovations 🔹 Connect with industry leaders, engineers and decision-makers 🔹 Build new partnerships and generate high-quality business opportunities 🔹 Raise your brand profile across the UK and international semiconductor ecosystem ⏰ Exhibitor bookings close on 17th July, so don't miss your chance to be part of the conversations shaping the future of semiconductors, AI, automotive, IoT, security and advanced systems. Secure your exhibitor table before it's too late, click on the link below 👇 https://lnkd.in/euaVZ7-w #TechWorks #S2S26 #Semiconductors #DeepTech #Engineering #Innovation #Exhibitor #Technology #Networking

📈 The UK semiconductor sector is growing. The latest Department for Science, Innovation and Technology Semiconductor Sector Study paints an encouraging picture of an industry that continues to grow in both scale and ambition. - 295 dedicated semiconductor businesses in the UK ( ⬆️ up from 210 in 2024) - 16,350 people working in the industry ( ⬆️ 9% increase since 2024) It's evidence that momentum is building across the UK, from chip design and IP to photonics, compound semiconductors and advanced materials and processes. However, challenges still remain. Ensuring businesses can access the skills, investment and international partnerships they need to scale will be critical to maintaining this trajectory. That's where we're focused at the UKSC – helping to connect the ecosystem, unlock opportunities and accelerate this growth across the entire industry. 👉 Read the full Sector Study here: https://lnkd.in/eiRWEG7k #Semiconductors #UKSC #Innovation #ScaleUp

It's #WorldYouthSkillsDay and our Chip Design Summer School is fully underway at UCL! Over 30 students are taking their first steps into the world of semiconductors, learning the fundamentals and getting practical hands-on experience of tools and equipment. It's been brilliant to see the commitment and enthusiasm from the students and their desire for learning and discovery. The Summer School has also underlined the importance of exposing more young people to this sector as early as possible, and equipping them with the skills they need for future study, employment, and entrepreneurship.   There students have more exciting activities lined up for this week and next, so stay tuned for more updates! UCL STFC UK Electronics Skills Foundation (UKESF) Thomas Gilbert Anthony Kenyon Alex L. Tiny Tapeout

At the UK Semiconductor Centre we’re looking for someone who thrives on building relationships that make a difference. This isn’t a sales role, and it isn’t about managing programmes. It’s about bringing together startups, scale-ups, industry, government, investors and academia to help grow a stronger, more competitive UK semiconductor ecosystem. If you’re someone who enjoys creating opportunities, connecting people, influencing and turning ideas into lasting partnerships, we’d love to hear from you. If that sounds like you or someone you know, please take a look at the role. All applications must be submitted via the link. https://lnkd.in/e3nYapu2