The UK Government has announced plans to launch two new ‘Innovation and Knowledge Centres (IKC)’, both of which will receive £11 million each to help bring new chip technologies to market. This is part of the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT)'s £1 billion semiconductor strategy. £4.8 million funding for semiconductor skills projects have also been announced.
The centres are aimed at backing British scientists who are working on world-leading chip development which could help to power advancements in AI and will underpin the technologies needed to reach net zero.
Each site, located in Southampton and Bristol respectively, will support promising research and projects, offering researchers access to state-of-the-art prototyping technology essential for testing their complex designs, and nurturing early-stage companies.
The REWIRE facility at the University of Bristol will support chip companies across the South West and Wales, helping to accelerate the UK’s net zero ambition by advancing high-voltage electronic devices with cutting-edge compound semiconductors. The 'Cornerstone' Information and Knowledge Centre in Southampton will build on the University’s specialism in silicon photonics.
Saqib Bhatti, Minister for Tech and the Digital Economy
This investment marks a crucial step in advancing our ambitions for the semiconductor industry, with these centres helping bring new technologies to market in areas like net zero and AI, rooting them right here in the UK. Just nine months into delivering on the National Semiconductor Strategy, we’re already making rapid progress towards our goals. This isn’t just about fostering growth and creating high-skilled jobs, it’s about positioning the UK as a hub of global innovation, setting the stage for breakthroughs that have worldwide impact.
