On 4 November 2026, the European Commission launched the European Chip Design Platform. The platform mobilises EUR 525 million and supports startups, SMEs and research teams in chip design, from design software to access to manufacturing capacity. For Dutch chip design startups, it lowers one of the biggest barriers on the way to a first working chip.
Why chip design is a barrier
European chip design companies currently account for less than 1 percent of global revenues in this segment. One important reason is the cost of the first steps. Design software, IP blocks and prototyping are expensive and hard to access for young companies. That is exactly where many good ideas stall.
What does the European Chip Design Platform offer?
The platform is cloud-based and operated by a consortium led by imec, supported by the Chips Joint Undertaking (Chips JU). Users get access to:
design software (EDA tools) from leading providers
design support services
IP blocks: ready-made building blocks for a chip design
training and rapid prototyping
manufacturing capacity to have a design produced
Funding is available as well. The first call for EuroCDP Grants is open from 4 November 2026 to 12 January 2027 (17:00 Brussels time), with an indicative budget of EUR 50 million. It is aimed at fabless SMEs (chip companies without their own fab) in the EU and in countries associated with Horizon Europe.
Level 1 offers up to EUR 100,000 for companies that have received up to EUR 1 million in total funding. Level 2 offers up to EUR 8 million in EU funding, which can be combined with national co-funding. According to the Commission, this adds up to grants of up to EUR 16 million. Conditions and the application route are on eurocdp.eu/grant.
Where does the EUR 525 million come from?
Of the total, EUR 440 million is public funding from the EU and Member States, available through grants. A further EUR 85 million goes to the platform infrastructure, support services and the development of open-source design tools. By source, EUR 285 million comes from the EU budget and EUR 240 million from the participating states of the Chips JU.
European context
The platform is a core component of the EU Chips Act. Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, launched the project. According to the Commission, 20 startups already take part in the platform's venture development programmes, with technical and commercial training. The platform ties in with the Chips Act 2.0, which the Commission proposed in June 2026.
How does ChipNL CC help with the European Chip Design Platform?
ChipNL Competence Centre (ChipNL CC) is the Dutch Chips Competence Centre under the EU Chips Act and helps startups, SMEs and knowledge institutions access technology and European facilities. The European Commission names the European network of Chips Competence Centres as a point of guidance for startups and SMEs applying for access to the platform.
Working on a chip design or considering an application? We help you find the right route and connect you with experts and partners in the Dutch ecosystem. Read more about access to pilot lines and the Chips Design Platform or get in touch.