October 23, 2024

Semiconductors in Switzerland: leader or follower?

Recent massive investments in the US, EU and China highlight the growing strategic importance of the global semiconductor industry. But what about in Switzerland? Is Switzerland’s legendary innovation strength relevant to the microchips business? Who are the movers and shakers? Is the Swiss microchip industry able to compete with global giants like NVIDIA and Qualcomm? Join CSEM, along with a prestigious panel of speakers, to discuss the current state of the Swiss semiconductor industry and what the future might hold.

Banner event Semiconductor in Switzerland - leader or follower

The COVID-era semiconductor shortages thrust the significance of microchips into the public spotlight. This near-$100 billion market underpins almost every product and industry, from smartphones to cars and washing machines; the arrival of AI will only accelerate this trend. Massive investments in the semiconductor industry in the US, EU and China, as well as the new Swisschips initiative, bear witness to the strategic importance of microchips in the global economy.

The goal of this CSEM Tech-Talk is to assess the current status of the microchip industry in Switzerland. Switzerland is widely recognized as a global innovation leader, but to what extent does that apply to microchips?

  • Who are the innovators in Switzerland? Which companies are market leaders? Who are the most exciting start-ups? What is the role of universities and institutes?
  • What opportunities are there, and what are the challenges?
  • How should the Swiss chip industry position itself in the next decade?
  • What do chip providers consider as the main advantages – and drawbacks – of being in Switzerland?
  • What impact will the Swisschips initiative make?

We will explore various questions with a distinguished panel of speakers. The event will feature an open discussion to address audience inquiries, followed by a networking aperitif. The audience will be made up of professionals from the Swiss chip industry.

The event will be hosted by CSEM, one of Europe’s leading providers of semiconductor innovation and ASIC design services.

📍 Venue: 25hours Hotel Zürich West, Pfingstweidstrasse 102, 8005 Zürich
🗓Date: Wednesday, October 23, 2024
⏱️ Time: 16:30 - 19:00
🗣️ Language: English

Program

14:00

Door opening

14:30

Welcome & introduction: "Why Switzerland for semiconductor companies?"

Markus Müller, Zurich Canton, and Alain-Serge Porret, CSEM

14:45

Tech talk

  • Thierry Melly, Semtech - "Challenges for a fabless company with a design center in Switzerland"
  • Daniel Müller, Sensirion - "Opportunities for More than Moore"
  • Simon Müller, Knowles - "From pioneers to the future: The evolution of ASIC design for MEMS microphones in Switzerland"
  • Manu Nair, Synthara - "The advantages (and disadvantages) of starting a swiss semiconductor company"
  • Peter Broennimann, SERI - "Technological decoupling and digital sovereignty: Challenges for the Swiss research & innovation ecosystem in semiconductors and microelectronics

15:55

Round table

16:30

Networking aperitif

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