Semiconductor Centres Launch New Iberian Network to Scale Cross-Border Innovation

The chips competence centres from Portugal and Spain officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the Iberian Network of Chips Competence Centres . The agreement, signed during the EPoSS Annual Forum in Braga (Portugal), brings together POEMS , MicroNanoSpain , and PIXSpain with the aim of advancing structured cooperation, ensuring strategic alignment, and elevating the visibility of the Iberian semiconductor ecosystem within Europe.

This new coordination framework aims to maximise complementarities and leverage synergies across the regional semiconductor value chain. By unifying expertise, the network will focus on areas of mutual strength: chip design, advanced materials, systems integration, and technology transfer. The Iberian Network will be a hub for regional collaboration , promoting scientific and industrial events, alongside joint training and educational programmes.

Mariana Fernandes, POEMS Coordinator , emphasised the strategic impact of the alliance: "We aim to create a highly coordinated ecosystem through practical collaboration designed to make our capabilities more visible and accessible to companies, researchers, and students across the Iberian region. By aligning our services, connecting stakeholders to specialised infrastructure, and providing clearer entry points for SMEs and start-ups, we are directly strengthening our regional contribution to the European Chips Act. "

Beyond high-level coordination, the network will look to scale specific deep-tech capabilities across borders, particularly in growing sectors like integrated photonics. Valentina Díaz, Director of PIXSpain , highlighted the importance of the integration of these technologies across a wide range of sectors, including telecommunications, healthcare, and cybersecurity, noting that this is an opportunity to “ strengthen the regional ecosystem by providing companies with the knowledge and tools needed to integrate the capabilities of integrated photonics into the development of their products .”

The first concrete outcome of this cooperation will come this December in Barcelona , with the inaugural Iberian Semiconductor Summit , held as a satellite event of the ChipNation congress. It will bring together key players from industry, startups and academia to address shared challenges and identify real opportunities for collaboration.

This collaboration will support the exchange of technological intelligence and the sharing of best practices – all aimed at positioning the Iberian semiconductor ecosystem within the broader European landscape.