User2User 2026 Europe wrap up & best presentation awards
The User2User Europe wrap up & best presentation awards highlighting the dynamic growth and strategic importance of the semiconductor and electronics industry across Europe.
The event itself was a resounding success, boasting a record attendance of 359 participants, marking a 35% increase from the previous year, and featuring 77 speakers from 16 European nations.
This strong turnout underscores the region's vibrant and expanding tech community.
A central theme of the event was the booming semiconductor and electronics sector in Europe, largely propelled by advancements in AI.
Speakers emphasized that the global semiconductor market is on track to reach an impressive 1trillion, with Europe poised to contribute a substantial 150 billion to this figure. This growth is fueled by several key trends and investments, including significant manufacturing expansions with major foundry investments in locations like Dresden, involving key players such as On Semi, Infineon, and Bosch.
The ambitious goal is for Europe to produce 20% of the world's semiconductors. Additionally, the aerospace and defense sectors are receiving substantial funding from the EU, with 8.7 billion euros allocated to startups and companies, reflecting remarkable growth rates of 32% for defense security resilience and 112% for defense. Europe is also emerging as a leader in quantum computing innovation and plans to establish over 19 AI factories to bolster high-performance computing capabilities.
The evolving role of ARM, now selling silicon, was also a significant discussion point, necessitating adaptation within the ecosystem, with many European and global companies actively engaging in this new "chip era." Investment is flowing into critical areas such as AI and power, silicon photonics, quantum computing, sensors, MEMS, neuromorphic capabilities, processors, logic, IP, and advanced materials. Spain serves as a prime example of this regional commitment, investing 50 million euros to train 1,000 engineers for the semiconductor industry, leading to successful startups in cities like Barcelona and Malaga. Furthermore, notable industry partnerships, such as the collaboration between Semi Dynamics and Si Perl on an AI inferencing platform, and NVIDIA's tripling of investment in European AI companies, underscore the collaborative and innovative spirit. Siemens, as a major player, announced a partnership with the European Chips Act to support 100 fabulous semiconductor startups by 2030, reinforcing its commitment to the region's growth. Jean Marie Saint Paul, Head of Global EDA sales at Siemens, detailed the company's extensive investments in digital industries and software solutions, emphasizing Siemens' unique position in connecting electronic solutions with broader system solutions. The event concluded with the recognition of outstanding presentations, celebrating the contributions of speakers like Manu from Infineon, Fabrizio and Martina from ST Micro, and Rotam and Yoram from Intel.