The European Chips Design Platform (EuroCDP) has launched a €525 million initiative to support fabless semiconductor startups, small and mid-sized enterprises, and research groups. The project, operating under the EU Chips Act, will run from 2025 through 2028.
Coordinated by the Belgian research hub imec, the consortium includes 12 European partners, such as France’s CEA, Germany’s Fraunhofer, and Silicon Austria Labs. The platform aims to provide access to electronic design automation (EDA) tools, intellectual property libraries, and pilot production lines.
The total investment plan includes approximately €220 million specifically for startup support. Funding for eligible projects follows a tripartite structure: 35% from the EU, 35% from national governments, and 30% from venture capital or self-funding.
The initiative focuses on strategic sectors, specifically artificial intelligence and high-performance computing. Synopsys will provide design software for these applications starting November 4, 2026, as part of the broader effort to increase the EU's global semiconductor market share to 20% by 2030.
