UCD partners on Ireland’s new National Competence Centre in Semiconductors
20 February 2026
Professor Peter Kennedy, UCD School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering; John Blake, General Manager, MIDAS; John Morrissey, Executive Director, MCCI and Patrick Morrissey, Director of Innovation and Industry Engagement, Tyndall National Institute
University College Dublin (UCD) and NovaUCD are consortium partners in I-C3, Ireland’s newly launched National Competence Centre in Semiconductors, a major initiative designed to support start-ups and SMEs in the sector.
Part of the European Chips Act initiative, I-C3 will provide access to funding pathways, specialist training, advanced design tools and pilot production facilities.
The centre aims to strengthen Ireland’s semiconductor ecosystem and reinforce UCD’s role in driving advanced manufacturing, entrepreneurship and high-impact research.
As a partner, the University will contribute technical expertise while supporting companies to move from circuit-board to microchip-level design and secure development funding.
(opens in a new window)Professor Peter Kennedy, UCD’s School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, said the centre will help SMEs grow internationally and accelerate innovation.
“In addition to its historic role of providing research, education, training, and intellectual property to underpin start-ups such as Equal1, UCD will take the lead in helping companies secure funding for research and business development,” he added.
NovaUCD will serve as I-C3’s dedicated start-up hub, offering tailored support to help ventures scale internationally.
Co-ordinated by Tyndall National Institute at University College Cork, the I-C3 consortium also includes MIDAS Ireland and MCCI, with support from the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment through Enterprise Ireland and co-funding from the European Union’s Chips Joint Undertaking.
"We are delighted to work with such a strong group of partner organisations, and our academic colleagues at UCD, to deliver technical expertise and drive innovation within the sector,” said Simon Factor, Head of New Ventures and Investment, NovaUCD.
“UCD has a rich history of groundbreaking and impactful research outcomes in this space, and we are excited to work with Tyndall, MIDAS, and MCCI to support the unicorns of the next decade.”
I-C3 marks a significant milestone in Ireland’s participation in the European Chips Act and the Chips for Europe Initiative. Over 20,000 people are employed throughout they country’s established semiconductor ecosystem.
“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 businesses 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,” said Peter Burke TD, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment.
"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 and talent, and build on our strengths by enhancing the relationship between infrastructure, industry, and RD&I capability to ensure Ireland leads in advanced manufacturing and chip design.”
By: David Kearns, Digital Journalist / Media Officer, UCD University Relations (with materials from Micéal Whelan, UCD Research and Innovation)
To contact the UCD News & Content Team, email: newsdesk@ucd.ie
