Silicon Catalyst Europe empowers Europe’s most promising semiconductor start-ups with the expertise, tools, mentorship and industry connections needed to turn innovative ideas into successful businesses. Through its ChipStart EU incubation programme, founders receive world-class support from the global Silicon Catalyst ecosystem, accelerating the journey from concept to investment and commercial success.

Welcome to SiliconCatalyst.EU, the new expansion of Silicon Catalyst into the European Economic Area for early stage semiconductor startups. As a consortium member of the Malta Competence Centre, one of the Chips JU funded Chips Competence Centres, we are delighted to deliver our semiconductor startup early stage incubator that provides complete access to the world famous Silicon Catalyst ecosystem which includes access to no cost design automation tools, design IP and advanced foundry prototyping.

We are building on the huge success of SiliconCatalyst.UK, where the first three cohorts of ChipStart UK companies have now raised over $100M of VC and Angel funding.

Silicon Catalyst EU Ltd, with the support of Malta Enterprise and the Chips JU, is now ready to deliver our ChipStart EU one year early stage semiconductor startup incubation to any European Economic Area member country semiconductor startup that has raised less than $1.5M of VC and/or Angel funding.

ChipStart EU incubation has no cost requirement to the startup or equity exchange. Your leadership team will participate in an intensive semiconductor industry training programme that will prepare you for VC investment, you will have access to world-wide semiconductor executive advice and have a local European advisor funded and assigned as a Mentor.

Join Us at GSCM 2026

This November, Silicon Catalyst Europe, together with Malta Enterprise, is proud to welcome the global semiconductor community back to Malta for GSCM 2026.

Taking place on 16–17 November 2026, this year's conference, "AI and the Great Semiconductor Divide: Strengthening Europe's Competitiveness," will bring together industry leaders, start-ups, investors, researchers and policymakers to explore the challenges and opportunities shaping Europe's semiconductor future.

Together, Silicon Catalyst Europe and Malta Enterprise are helping to strengthen Europe's semiconductor ecosystem by creating opportunities for collaboration, innovation and investment, while showcasing Malta as a growing hub for semiconductor excellence. GSCM reflects that shared vision, bringing together the people and organisations driving the next generation of semiconductor technologies.

The programme features keynote speakers, expert panel discussions and networking on topics including AI, Europe's competitiveness, semiconductor manufacturing, investment, strategic autonomy and the EU Chips Design Platform. Alongside these discussions, ChipStart EU will take centre stage, with graduating companies and new cohorts showcasing the next generation of semiconductor start-ups and demonstrating how Europe's innovation pipeline is being transformed into tomorrow's commercial success stories.

Join us in Malta on 16–17 November.

See highlights from last year’s event.

SiliconCatalyst.EU Webinar

ChipStart EU Launch

Watch the introduction of the ChipStart EU program with the leadership behind this endeavor. Taking the innovative model of Silicon Catalyst, the success of ChipStart UK and bringing it to Malta and Europe.

Take a look at our semiconductor startups who are representing are first cohort of ChipStart EU!