The German Chips Competence Centre participated in the Microelectronics Research Conference in Bochum, organised as part of the ForLab project. The event brought together representatives from research, politics and the semiconductor ecosystem to discuss current challenges in microelectronics research and technology transfer. 

A central topic of the conference was the need to strengthen the link between research and development, prototype development and industrial production. Several speakers, including Prof. Hoffmann from Ruhr University Bochum, highlighted the importance of closely connecting these stages to enable start-ups and SMEs to scale semiconductor innovations and accelerate the transition from laboratory research to market-ready products.

G3C Project Manager Alexander Stanitzki used the event to exchange perspectives with representatives of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, the German Federal Ministry for Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), and members of the wider semiconductor community.

The discussions focused on creating clearer development pathways for start-ups and SMEs working with chip technologies and strengthening coordination between regional and federal stakeholders. Through its advisory and matchmaking activities, G3C supports innovators in identifying suitable infrastructures, technology partners and European semiconductor resources for the further development of their projects.

The exchange in Bochum underlined the importance of close cooperation between research, industry and public stakeholders to translate promising microelectronics innovations into industrial applications.