'World-Leading' Semiconductor Design Centre Will 'Strengthen Wales' Leadership in Chip Design'

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businessnewswales.com, Mar. 24, 2025 – 

A new semiconductor design centre will address long-term skills needs and support the industry’s growth by providing critical design services to SMEs and scale-up companies across the UK.

The centre in Cardiff is a joint venture between Welsh Government, Compound Semiconductor Applications (CSA) Catapult, and Cadence Design Systems, Inc.

The new company aims to become a leading provider of semiconductor design services, supporting key industries such as automotive, aerospace, space, telecoms, defence, and AI.

It is expected to create more than 100 new jobs for graduate students in the next five years, contribute an estimated £34 million to the UK economy and help deliver the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy.

The centre has received £2.5 million in Welsh Government investment as well as funding from Cadence and support from CSA Catapult, which said it will build vital semiconductor design skills, grow the industry and international partnerships, and increase sovereign capability.

The new venture will leverage Cadence’s expertise and AI-driven IC design solutions, CSA Catapult’s advanced facilities and testing capabilities, and Welsh Government’s financial support to create a sustainable, high-growth business.

The UK has significant strengths in chip design, but to compete globally it needs more semiconductor design engineers.

Global semiconductor revenues are expected to grow to $1 trillion by 2030. According to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s sector study, UK semiconductor companies said that integrated circuit design engineers are among those specialisms experiencing the most acute shortage of skills.

The new venture will build an employee-engaged culture where all can benefit from the success of the business, said CSA Catapult.

This strategic joint venture will strengthen the existing design community, working with universities, start-ups, and small businesses on new semiconductor projects. It will build new international partnerships and further investment, helping to deliver opportunities for semiconductor companies across the UK to collaborate with European and US chip initiatives.

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