Austrian Chips
Competence Center
The Austrian Chips Competence Center (AT-C³) is one of Europe’s first competence centers funded by the European Chips Act Program. It acts as a central contact point (“One-Stop-Shop”) for companies and research organizations along the Electronic & Software-Based Systems (ESBS) value chain, focusing on supporting SMEs and startups.
Benefit from our Services
AT-C³ covers the entire value chain of the semiconductor ecosystem.
These services, including consulting, evaluation, prototyping, and testing, are accessible to interested SMEs and startups, with specific provisions applicable to large enterprises.
The project is supported by the Chips JU and its members including top-up funding by the FFG. (Project No. Chips JU: 101217532, Project No. FFG: F099991717)
Ways of getting access to your future
Feel free to contact us. You can secure your funding without waiting months for all the paperwork to be finished.
Funding is available for SMEs and start-ups. Up to 80% of costs will be covered through ESTP projects (Expert Service to Third Parties). The primary—though not all—of the supported technology areas include Materials and process Innovation, Chip Design and system Integration, and Semiconductor Manufacturing.
Submit your project idea now and shape the future.
Use our submission form to bring your innovation to AT-C³ – we’ll support you from concept to realization.
AT-C³ – Your gateway to Europe’s chip future
AT-C³ is Austria’s Chips Competence Centre within the EU Chips Act. As part of the European CCC network, AT-C³ supports companies with innovation projects, funding and pilot lines.
AT-C³ is co-funded through the European Chips Joint Undertaking – a public-private initiative under the EU Chips Act – and operates as a consortium to accelerate semiconductor innovation in Austria.
About
AT-C³
AT-C³ is co-funded through the European Chips Joint Undertaking – a public-private initiative under the EU Chips Act – and operates as a consortium to accelerate semiconductor innovation in Austria.
Consortium
AT-C³ is powered by six leading partners – AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, Materials Center Leoben, Polymer Competence Center Leoben, SILICON ALPS Cluster, Silicon Austria Labs and Graz University of Technology – combining their expertise to shape Austria’s chip future. Learn more about the consortium.
European Chips Act
The EU Chips Act is Europe’s strategic initiative to boost semiconductor sovereignty and innovation. AT-C³ contributes as Austria’s national competence centre, connecting local companies to European pilot lines, design platforms and funding through the Chips Joint Undertaking.
Chips Joint Undertaking
The Chips Joint Undertaking was established under the European Chips Act to accelerate semiconductor innovation and strengthen Europe’s position in the global semiconductor landscape.
Six partners. One mission. Austria’s chip future.
AT-C³ is powered by six leading Austrian institutions – AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, Materials Center Leoben, Polymer Competence Center Leoben, SILICON ALPS Cluster, Silicon Austria Labs and Graz University of Technology – forming a public-private consortium that drives semiconductor innovation and supports startups and SMEs across Austria.
Inside Austria’s Chip Industry
14. July 2026
Webinar 30 July 2026: Building the Materials Platform for the Future of Integrated Photonics
In this Chips Think Tank webinar on July 30, 2026, Jean-Louis Guyaux, VP Technology at Riber, will share how one of Europe’s leading epitaxy equipment manufacturers is evolving from supplying MBE systems to enabling complete materials platforms for integrated photonics.
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8. July 2026
AT-C³ Joins the First Event of Intent to Foster Innovation & Startup Collaboration
AT-C³ was pleased to participate in the first Event of Intent at NAPO on the Campus Inffeld of the Graz University of Technology. The new networking format brought together around 40 participants from startups, scaleups and established companies with one clear goal: transforming conversations into concrete collaborations.
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26. June 2026
ITF World 2026 – A Recap
More than 2,000 international technology and AI leaders gathered in Antwerp for IFT World, organized by imec under the theme “Strategic paths to an AI-Defined Future.”
More
FAQS
Get clear, quick answers about AT‑C3, our mission, project areas, and how suppliers and partners can engage within Europe’s evolving semiconductor ecosystem.
AT-C³ (Austrian Chips Competence Center) is Austria’s national Chips Competence Center under the European Chips Act. As a one-stop shop for the semiconductor and electronics industries and for Electronic & Software-Based Systems (ESBS), AT-C³ supports companies, SMEs, and start-ups from concept through chip prototyping to industrial implementation.
AT-C³ stands for “Austrian Chip Design & Prototyping Support Center” and serves as Austria’s Chips Competence Centre under the EU Chips Act.
AT-C³ aims to strengthen Austria’s and Europe’s semiconductor ecosystem by accelerating innovation, supporting SMEs and start-ups, and enhancing technological sovereignty and competitiveness in Europe. The competence center helps companies transform innovative ideas into market-ready semiconductor and electronics solutions through collaboration, expertise, funding, and access to infrastructure.
A Chips Competence Center is a European support hub that provides companies with access to semiconductor expertise, chip design, prototyping services, pilot lines, funding opportunities and innovation networks. AT-C³ is the Austrian Chips Competence Center.
AT-C³ is designed for:
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
- Start-ups
- Industrial companies
- Technology providers
- Design houses
- Research organizations
- Developers and innovators in microelectronics and electronic systems
A special focus is placed on supporting SMEs and start-ups throughout the ESBS value chain.
AT-C³ brings together experts, researchers, technology specialists, and innovation partners across Austria’s semiconductor ecosystem. The competence center combines expertise in semiconductor manufacturing, IC design, AI, photonics, quantum technologies, advanced materials, system integration, and skills development.
AT-C³ is powered by six leading Austrian institutions forming a public-private consortium:
- AIT Austrian Institute of Technology
- MCL Materials Center Leoben
- PCCL Polymer Competence Center Leoben
- SILICON ALPS Cluster
- Silicon Austria Labs (SAL)
- TU-Graz
Together, these organizations drive semiconductor innovation and support companies, SMEs, and startups across Austria.
AT-C³ was established in January 2025 as one of Europe’s first Chips Competence Centers under the European Chips Act. Its goal is to strengthen semiconductor innovation, resilience, and collaboration across Europe.
AT-C³ supports projects and innovation activities in areas including:
- Semiconductor technology
- Microelectronics
- Chips & sensors
- Embedded systems
- AI hardware & Edge AI
- RFID, NFC & UWB
- Power electronics
- Advanced packaging
- Smart systems integration
- Photonics & quantum technologies
- IC and system design
- Thin-film technologies
- Electronic & Software-Based Systems (ESBS)
AT-C³ offers a broad portfolio of technological services, including:
- Consulting and evaluation
- Feasibility studies
- Prototyping support
- Product development support
- Testing and validation
- System integration
- Technology modules
- Access to pilot lines and design platforms
- Funding support
- Skills and training programs
AT-C³ helps companies evaluate the benefits, costs, and technical feasibility of semiconductor and chip development projects. These may include ASIC development, process optimization, or replacing standard PCB solutions with custom integrated circuits.
Yes. AT-C³ lowers entry barriers for companies by providing access to experienced design houses, manufacturers, consulting services, and development partners for prototype manufacturing and testing.
Yes. AT-C³ strongly supports technology-oriented start-ups by providing access to expertise, pilot projects, IC design tools, European networks, research infrastructure, and funding opportunities.
Yes. SMEs and start-ups can receive funding through ESTP projects (“Expert Service to Third Parties”). Up to 80% of eligible project costs may be covered.
Typical project budgets range from approximately €25,000 to €100,000. Larger, strategically relevant projects may also be supported, depending on their innovation potential and scope.
The process typically includes:
- Initial contact and project idea submission
- Technical and strategic evaluation
- Matching with experts and research partners
- Funding and project setup
- Project implementation and support
The EU Chips Act Pilot Lines help bridge the gap between research and full-scale semiconductor manufacturing. AT-C³ helps companies access these European pilot-line infrastructures to accelerate innovation and industrialization.
The EU Chips Design Platform is being developed as Europe’s gateway to chip innovation. It will provide access to design tools, IP, manufacturing services, testing, training, funding, and expert support through a single integrated platform.
Yes. AT-C³ aims to become a central hub for semiconductor skills and training in Austria and across Europe. The initiative supports education, qualification programs, and collaboration between industry and educational institutions.
Electronic & Software-Based Systems (ESBS) are intelligent systems that integrate hardware and software technologies, including sensors, embedded systems, communication solutions, industrial electronics, and smart applications.
AT-C³ supports innovation projects across industries such as:
- Automotive
- Industrial electronics
- MedTech
- Communication technologies
- Aerospace & Defence
- Energy & Green Tech
- IoT & Smart Manufacturing
- Digital technologies
Semiconductors are the foundation of modern technologies and digital transformation. They enable applications across smartphones, automotive systems, AI, healthcare, industrial automation, energy systems, communications technologies, and many other industries.
AT-C³ supports AI-related innovation across AI hardware, Edge AI, embedded intelligence, photonics, and intelligent electronic systems. The focus is on integrating AI directly into semiconductor and electronic system applications.
Yes. AT-C³ is Austria’s national Chips Competence Centre under the European Chips Act and part of the European Competence Centre network. It is co-funded by the Chips Joint Undertaking (Chips JU) and the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG).
Chips Joint Undertaking is a European public-private partnership established under the EU Chips Act to strengthen semiconductor research, innovation, manufacturing, and collaboration across Europe. AT-C³ contributes to its innovation and funding goals.
Companies can submit project ideas directly through the AT-C³ project request form on the Website. The AT-C³ team then evaluates potential support options, funding opportunities, and suitable partners.
The SILICON ALPS Cluster positions AT-C³ as Austria’s central contact point for companies and start-ups across the ESBS value chain and serves as an operational bridge among industry, research, innovation, and funding.
More information, contact details, funding opportunities, and project submission options are available on the official website: Contact form