PRESENTATION
The European Chip Design Platform (EuroCDP): Enabling Access to Advanced Semiconductor Design in Europe
o The European semiconductor ecosystem is undergoing a major transformation as Europe seeks to strengthen its technological sovereignty and competitiveness in advanced microelectronics. A key element of this effort is improving access to chip design capabilities for researchers, startups, SMEs, and industrial innovators. The European Chip Design Platform (EuroCDP), developed within the framework of the Chips Joint Undertaking and coordinated by imec, aims to address this challenge. EuroCDP provides a comprehensive infrastructure that facilitates access to advanced electronic design automation (EDA) tools, design IP, training resources, and semiconductor design expertise. By lowering barriers to entry for chip design, the platform supports innovation across Europe and enables a broader community to participate in the development of next-generation semiconductor technologies. Building on Europe’s long-standing experience with initiatives such as Europractice, EuroCDP seeks to scale and modernise the ecosystem supporting chip design. The platform strengthens Europe’s design capabilities, fosters collaboration between academia and industry, and accelerates the path from research to market. Ultimately, EuroCDP plays a strategic role in supporting Europe’s ambitions under the European Chips Act.
Helio Fernandez Tellez
imec
Helio Fernández Téllez is a telecommunications engineer and innovation professional with more than twenty years of experience in digital technologies, research collaboration, and entrepreneurship. He currently works at imec, where he combines two complementary roles: leading Government Relations for Spain, supporting ecosystem-building initiatives in the semiconductor sector, and contributing to key European programmes coordinated by imec, including Europractice and the European Chip Design Platform (EuroCDP), both part of the Chips Joint Undertaking. Within imec.IC-link, Helio has been involved in initiatives that facilitate access to advanced chip design technologies, supporting innovation across academia, startups, and industry in Europe. Previously, he worked in imec’s Enabling Digital Transformation (EDiT) department, where he focused on demand-driven R&D collaborations with public authorities, digital strategy development, living labs, and securing research funding. Helio also has an entrepreneurial background and has co-founded technology startups stemming from his research activities. He holds a degree in Telecommunications Engineering from the University of Málaga and a doctoral degree from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel and the Royal Military Academy of Belgium.