During SEMICON Europa, one of the main international events for the microelectronics sector, EE Times highlighted the Portuguese ecosystem and dedicated itself to exploring the achievements and potential of the Microelectronics Agenda. In interviews conducted throughout the fair, key figures from the consortium shared their successes and the innovative projects that are putting Portugal on the global map for microelectronics and semiconductors.
Elisabete Rita, Director General of AIDA CCI, highlighted the Microelectronics Agenda’s mission to promote national capabilities internationally and create synergies between companies and research centers. With the support of the Recovery and Resilience Plan and an eligible budget of over 67 million euros, the Agenda is fostering strategic partnerships and consolidating the country as a technological innovation hub. International recognition, driven by events such as SEMICON Europe, is key to strengthening Portugal’s position in this highly competitive sector.
The innovative vision was also highlighted by Marta Lopes, head of Science and Technology at PCI – Creative Science Park, who explained the park’s role as an incubator for emerging companies in the field of microelectronics. PCI acts as a link between research and the market, helping startups transform knowledge into innovative products and services, creating value and generating new opportunities for international collaboration.
EE Times also spoke to Nuno Gomes, founder and CEO of Exatronic, who highlighted the company’s specialization in delivering embedded engineering solutions. Working in specific market niches, Exatronic offers high-quality products that are exported throughout Europe, positioning itself as an example of how Portuguese industry is innovating and responding to global technological demands.
The role of cutting-edge research was highlighted by researcher Tiago Fernandes in his interview with INESC-MN, an institution that excels in the development of micro and nanoelectronic technologies in clean rooms. From magnetoresistive sensors to advanced solutions for IoT and automation, INESC-MN demonstrated how collaboration between science and industry is enabling the development of high-impact technologies capable of competing on the international market.
The series of interviews conducted by EE Times reflects the growing global interest in the work carried out under the Microelectronics Agenda. This highlight at SEMICON Europe not only promotes Portuguese technological excellence, but also reinforces the country’s ability to create sustainable innovation and build strategic partnerships on an international scale.
Participation in the fair thus served as a milestone for the Microelectronics Agenda, consolidating its role as an essential platform for the growth and affirmation of the semiconductor and microelectronics sector in Portugal.
Created as part of the mobilizing agendas of the Portuguese Recovery and Resilience Plan, the Microelectronics Agenda aims to strengthen the production and innovation capacity of the national semiconductor and microelectronics industry. It involves a group of 17 partners and seeks to help position Portugal at the forefront of the semiconductor management, production, distribution and recycling market, capable of supplying Europe and other countries worldwide.
The 25 new products, processes and services resulting from the Agenda aim to transform the microelectronics sector and contribute to its resilience, competitiveness and ecological sustainability, and will enable the Portuguese ecosystem to monitor and anticipate the sector’s needs.
The Microelectronics Agenda has a total eligible budget of €67,493,749.21, of which €30,048,411.91 is funded by the NextGenerationEU initiative. With the completion of the project scheduled for June 30, 2025, Portugal intends to establish itself as a leader in the global semiconductor sector, having already executed more than 60% of the budget and made significant progress in product development, sustainability and workforce training.
Watch the four interviews with EE Times here:
Portuguese Consortium Promotes the Best the Country has to Offer to the Microelectronics Industry
Business Incubator in Portugal Fosters New Developments in Microelectronics
Exatronic Specializes in Embedded Engineering, from Firmware to Connectivity
