aCCCess | Silicon Alps Funding

aCCCess

Europe’s Chips Competence Centres connect for a stronger semiconductor future

The Chips Competence Centres (CCC) planned under the EU Chips Act aim to take Europe’s semiconductor expertise to the next level. But for the 27 centres in 25 European countries to not only coexist but also collectively advance the European industry, strong structures and smart networking are essential – this is where aCCCess comes in.

Launched in March 2025, this four-year EU project is building the European Network of Chips Competence Centres (ENCCC) and ensuring maximum synergies between CCCs, Chips Pilot Lines (PLs), and the virtual Design Platform (DP).

Under the leadership of experienced cluster organisations and technology partners, a central platform is being created to accelerate innovation, provide businesses with easier access to technology and funding, and enhance Europe’s semiconductor expertise on a global scale.

The CCCs, PLs, and the DP are key initiatives under the EU Chips Act catalyzed by the Chips JU. These initiatives provide companies – especially SMEs and start-ups – with essential resources, training, and access to cutting-edge semiconductor infrastructure. While CCCs focus on innovation and specialised expertise, CPLs bridge the gap between research and production, and the DP offers a cloud-based environment with advanced design tools to support chip development across Europe.

Facts

Network Development, Structural Harmonisation:

aCCCess aims to build and strengthen the European Network of Chips Competence Centres (ENCCC). To achieve this, the ENCCC is organised into five focus groups: Operations and Best Practices, Outreach and Events, Common Technology Offers, Training and Skills Development, and Finance. These groups will develop harmonised practices in these key areas, ensuring seamless collaboration across Europe.

Cross-Border Collaboration:

aCCCess will support the development of CCCs, PLs, and DP through online and in-person events, including an annual community event to foster cross-border cooperation.

Shared Online Marketplace:

To simplify access to CCC services, training, and technology offers, aCCCess will create a shared online marketplace presenting CCC service catalogues with AI-supported maintenance and matchmaking opportunities. Additionally, the project will promote investment opportunities through a venture capital network and the Chips Finance Lab. A yearly pitching event for start-ups, which will highlight these funding opportunities.

Skills and Knowledge Exchange:

Furthermore, aCCCess will establish a dedicated think tank and host monthly webinars with industry experts to discuss trends, foster public-private partnerships, and promote best practices in cluster management and operations. Lastly, pilot lines and the Design Platform will offer specialised training sessions and webinars to help CCCs enhance their resource offerings and visibility.

Key benefits of the project at a glance

Strengthening competences

Access to CCCs, PLs, and DPs
Faster processes via the aCCCess marketplace
Early access to new technologies and best practices

Key benefits of the project at a glance

Fostering expert exchange

Establishment and management of the Chips Think Tank, highlighting expert knowledge within ENCCC
Events for direct interaction with experts from CCCs, PLs, and DPs
Direct networking with relevant stakeholders for exchange and collaboration

Key benefits of the project at a glance

Providing funding opportunities

Connection to the Chips Finance Lab: training on funding products from the EIB, EIF, etc.
Matchmaking with investors
Direct access to capital providers for business growth and project funding
Improved success rates for securing innovation funding

Project Partners

Associated Partners

IMEC (Interuniversitair Micro-Electronica Centrum)
Fraunhofer (Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.)
CEA (Commissariat A L’Energie Atomique Et Aux Energies Alternatives)
FTMC (Valstybinis Moksliniu Tyrimu Institutas Fiziniu Ir Technologijos Mokslu CentraS) (Center for Physicals Sciences and Technology)
PPTF (Polska Platforma Technologiczna Fotonik)
UL (UNIVERZA V LJUBLJANI)
AMETIC (Asociacion Multisectorial De Empresas De La Electronica, Las Tecnologias De La Informacion y La Comunicacion, De Las Telecomunicaciones Y De Los Contenidos Digitales)
INNOVA-IRV (Fundación Instituto Ricardo Valle de Innovación)

EIS (Ettevotluse Ja Innovatsiooni Sihtasutus) (Estonian Business and Innovation Agency – Enterprise Estonia)
HTNL (Vereniging High Tech NL)
TAMLINK (Tuotekehitys Oy Tamlink)
GAIA (Association of Applied Knowledge and Technology Industries in the Basque Country)
AENEAS (Association for European NanoElectronics ActivitieS)
EPoSS (European Association on Smart Systems Integration)
INSIDE (Industry Association)

Funded by the European Union

Your contact person

Mag. Michael Leopold

Business Development & Innovation Manager

After finishing my master in business administration at the Karl-Franzens-University at Graz I started my professional career at an international operating automotive supplier where I gained a lot of experience in leading international project teams and working in an industrial area. As a Project & Business Development Manager I had the chance to evolve several projects in the renewable energy sector as well as in the engineering industry before I started my career as a Business Consultant for foreign direct investments.

As a Project Manager for Technology & Innovation within the SILICON ALPS Cluster I use my network and my professional know-how about the business locations to develop projects, represent the eco system on an international level and connecting people for success.

michael.leopold@silicon-alps.at

+43 664 88 22 62 52