Representatives of the Czech Semiconductor Centre took part in the 20th Silicon Saxony Days, one of Europe’s leading high-tech and semiconductor networking events, held from 15 to 17 June 2026 at Dresden Airport. The anniversary edition brought together more than 1,500 participants, 150 speakers, 150 exhibitors and representatives of more than 15 high-tech regions, creating a platform for exchange across industry, research, start-ups and policy.
Czech Semiconductor Centre was represented in the official programme by Petr Kamenický, Director of the Czech Semiconductor Centre, and Jana Drbohlavová, Deputy Director of the Centre. Their participation underlined the growing role of the Czech semiconductor ecosystem in European discussions on innovation, industrial scaling and technological sovereignty.
On 16 June, Petr Kamenický delivered the talk “Accelerating Semiconductor Innovation in Europe: AI, Energy and Open Architectures”. His contribution focused on how Europe can accelerate semiconductor innovation through stronger regional ecosystems connecting research, start-ups and industry. The presentation highlighted the role of the Czech semiconductor ecosystem — through the Czech Semiconductor Centre and the Czech National Semiconductor Cluster — in supporting innovation in AI hardware, energy-efficient semiconductors and open architectures such as RISC-V.
The programme on Monday June 15 also featured Jana Drbohlavová in the panel discussion “Common challenges, common goals: European Semiconductor Initiatives”, joined by European semiconductor leaders including Pierre Chastanet from the European Commission’s DG CONNECT. The discussion addressed the future of European semiconductor initiatives, the role of stronger cooperation between regional ecosystems and the need to move from strategy to implementation.
A key message from the CSC representatives was that Europe’s semiconductor ambitions depend not only on individual national initiatives, but on the ability to connect competence centres, clusters, research organisations and industrial partners across borders. The event provided an opportunity to discuss common challenges for Europe’s semiconductor ecosystem, including fragmentation, regional delivery capacity, support for industrial scaling and the development of technological sovereignty across the full value chain.
Beyond the formal programme, the CSC delegation used Silicon Saxony Days for intensive networking with other Chips Competence Centres and European ecosystem partners. According to the internal mission report, discussions confirmed strong interest in closer cooperation between competence centres, including the sharing of service databases, exchange of experience and potential follow-up workshops focused on common approaches across the European ecosystem.
Silicon Saxony Days therefore provided an important platform for strengthening Czechia’s position in the European semiconductor landscape. Through its programme contributions, cooperation with the Czech National Semiconductor Cluster and direct engagement with European partners, the Czech Semiconductor Centre helped present Czechia as an active and connected partner in building a stronger, more resilient and more innovation-driven European semiconductor value chain.
Photos: Ondřej Theodor Krejčí & Jana Drbohlavová
