The UK’s Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult has relaunched as the Semiconductor Catapult, expanding its remit to support the development of technologies for AI hardware, defence and other strategically important sectors.
The government-backed technology centre will work with startups, SMEs and larger companies to develop, integrate, test and validate semiconductor technologies, with facilities in Newport, Bristol and Glasgow.
The launch follows plans announced by the government in June to refocus the existing Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult around AI hardware as part of its £1.1bn AI Hardware Plan.
The expanded Catapult will focus on four areas: advanced packaging and heterogeneous integration; power electronics and thermal management; photonics and optical interconnects; and RF and mixed-signal integration.
Its work is intended to help semiconductor companies bridge the gap between research and commercial deployment by providing access to engineering expertise, laboratories and specialist equipment.
The Catapult said its initial phase will focus on establishing integration and core silicon capabilities that allow companies to validate semiconductor architectures and reduce technical risk.
A second phase will develop system-level integration capabilities and routes towards scale-up and small-volume production.
Caroline O’Brien, chief executive of the Semiconductor Catapult, said the organisation would seek to ensure more of the economic value generated by emerging semiconductor technologies remains in the UK.
“The market opportunity for the UK in AI hardware and defence is moving quickly,” said O’Brien.
“The Semiconductor Catapult ensures more of the technologies, supply chains and economic benefits created by semiconductor innovation are developed and retained in the UK.”
She added that bringing together engineering expertise and specialist facilities would help companies reduce technical risks and accelerate products towards market.
The Catapult’s expanded remit comes amid a wider government push to increase the UK’s capabilities in the hardware underpinning artificial intelligence.
The AI Hardware Plan, published in June, included £750m for a new national AI supercomputer and £400m to purchase next-generation AI chips, including a £150m commitment to buy novel chips from startups and UK companies.
It also included an £18m hardware security research and development programme and plans for a new investment fund backed by up to £150m from the British Business Bank to support UK hardware companies.
The government said at the time that refocusing the Catapult would help UK semiconductor companies integrate and validate their technologies as they move towards deployment.
The UK semiconductor industry generated an estimated £10.6bn in revenue in 2024/25, according to a government-commissioned study, with 297 dedicated semiconductor companies employing around 16,350 people.
The study identified AI as a major source of future opportunity for the sector, particularly in areas including inference chips, photonic interconnects, advanced packaging and power electronics.
The Semiconductor Catapult said its facilities will also be used to support applications spanning data centres, communications, clean energy and transport, alongside AI and defence.