New competitive edge for the Finnish chip industry

There is a growing dependency on systems that are enabled by electronics and photonics. Growth of many companies, security of nations, and even green transition, have become dependent on physical technology based on electronics and photonics. Driven especially by the expectations related to Artificial Intelligence and the Metaverse, the industry is expected to break US$ 1 trillion by 2030, which means more than doubling its size in only six years. On the other hand, the global value chains have become highly centralized, and the EU is investing €43 billion via the European Chips Act to strengthen Europe’s technological leadership in R&D, design and manufacturing, and to bringing back some of the critical parts of the supply chain.

The Chips Joint Undertaking (JU) is the key instrument established under the European Chips Act, which seeks to facilitate reinforcement of the European value chains. It opens opportunities for European companies and research institutions to become a part of Europe-wide ecosystems and the re-emerging global value chain. One of the primary objectives of this campaign is to help Finnish companies, research institutes and universities to become integral members of the restructuring European ecosystem. The technical scope of the Chips JU includes all key enabling technologies of digitalization, such as electronics (from micro- to power-), photonics, and quantum technologies.

Finland has exceptionally strong background in all the technology areas and, therefore, internationally strong skills and expertise that provides ideal foundation for future growth. The Semiconductor Branch Group of Finland has estimated in its National Strategy (Chips from the North, published in April 2024) that Finland has a credible opportunity to triple the size of the industry by 2035. There are close to 300 companies in the industry in Finland that hold this significant growth potential. The second key objective of the Chips Campaign is to support this growth vision with Business Finland funding and advisory services.

Objective

The objectives of The Chips campaign are:

• Create new areas of business growth by activating companies and research institutes to R&D projects. We seek especially projects that are ambitious in their goals and highly networked. Although we encourage participants to close co-operation within the project (see e.g. Co-Innovation funding by Business Finland, ECS by the Chips JU, or the Eureka Xecs), we do support companies with their individual growth ambitions.

• Help companies and research institutes to seize opportunities in the developing European R&D networks and value chains. Becoming a prominent member of the European networks and value chains requires establishing contacts with the right partners. The networking events organized and promoted by the Chips Campaign are an opportunity to develop your contact network towards this aim.

• Help companies to grow and create new business in key markets globally. The Campaign will work together with the market specialists in the Foreign Ministry of Finland to open business opportunities for Finnish companies in key target markets.

• Help foreign companies to do business and establish in Finland. Finland is a particularly good place to look into if your company is R&D intensive, open for collaboration, or focused on advanced manufacturing.

Services

The key services for The Chips Campaign:

• Services for R&D driven growth
  In 2025, the campaign will focus on the services for R&D driven growth. Funding advisory and partnering services to accelerate business growth and expansion into new technological areas. For individual companies but especially for company groups, and R&D collaboration with research institutes. Both national (Business Finland) funding and EU funding instruments (especially Chips JU and Eureka Xecs) are the primary support mechanisms.
  Key funding services: Co-Research, Co-Innovation, Deep Tech Accelerator funding, Market Explorer funding, Tempo Funding, Young Innovative Companies, advisory to Chips JU and Eureka Xecs calls
• Trade services
  Key funding services: Market Explorer funding, Exhibition Explorer funding
  In trade related services and advice, we can help you find the right contacts in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs offices in your target country.

Essential Chips-related events

• Jan 27, 2025: Kvanttinova Meet - Towards National and European Collaboration, organized by Kvanttinova / Enter Espoo
• Jan 28, 2025: Mikroelektroniikka- ja puolijohdeteollisuuden verkoston työpaja, Turku, organized by Business Turku
• Feb 18-19, 2025: ECS Brokerage Event 2025

Target groups

The Chips Campaign is aimed for Finnish startups/scaleups (esp. deep tech), SMEs and large companies in the sector, as well as universities, research institutes, along with all relevant stakeholders such as industry associations/alliances and regional development agencies.

Key services:

Funding services

• Business Finland funding services
• EU Funding Opportunities
  • Business Finland European Networks
  • Eureka - Xecs
  • European Chips Act: Chips JU

Export Activities

• Market Opportunities

Join the campaign

Please contact Head of the Chips Campaign Toni Mattila for more details.

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