Image credit: TeraSi

Semiconductor Arena: A new platform for Sweden’s growing chip sector  

The challenge 

The global demand for semiconductors is rising fast. Across Europe, countries are investing to secure supply, build capacity, and reduce reliance on external producers. The goal: to strengthen Europe’s resilience in a technology that powers nearly all modern systems. 

In Sweden, the need to boost domestic production and innovation efforts has become increasingly clear since the COVID-19 pandemic. When global supply chains were disrupted, Swedish companies felt the impact immediately. That period exposed structural gaps — from limited infrastructure and restricted access to production facilities, to weak links between industry, academia, and research. Looking ahead, the sector also faces a generational shift, making it critical to attract new talent and pass on expertise. 

In Kista, targeted efforts are now being made to close these gaps and build a stronger, more connected semiconductor ecosystem. 

Semiconductor Arena 

Led by Kista Science City, KTH, RISE and STING, Semiconductor Arena is a new platform for advancing Sweden’s chip capabilities. By offering shared resources and meeting places for startups, researchers, and established companies alike, the Arena supports new innovation constellations and helps accelerate the path from research to commercialization. 

A key ambition is to make Electrum Laboratory a more open and social hub for the industry. It will serve as a space for showcasing innovation, networking, and deep technical collaboration — a neutral platform for students, innovators, and leading players to meet, learn, and build together. 

The Arena also supports broader outreach. That includes raising awareness of semiconductors and their societal relevance — and attracting new talent through matchmaking events, student fairs, and shared learning opportunities.  

Planned activities for fall 2025 include: 

  • Thesis fair 
  • Startup coaching by Sting 
  • Onboarding early-stage companies to the Electrum lab environment 

“Semiconductor Arena is about creating value today while laying the foundation for long-term competitiveness,” says Karin Bengtsson, CEO of Kista Science City. “The first step is to reach out to the semiconductor community to shape the platform together – by the industry, for the industry.” 

A national centre 

Kista’s position as a national semiconductor hub is central to this initiative. The area already hosts Sweden’s competence center for semiconductors and one of the EU’s pilot lines, operated by KTH through the EU Chips JU programme. Together, these assets create a unique environment of advanced infrastructure, world-class research, and deep industry expertise. 

Building on these strengths, KTH is now expanding its activities at Electrum, including the launch of a new pilot line for power semiconductors. The goal is to accelerate production, support talent development, and strengthen Sweden’s role in building strategic capacity in the EU. 

Do you want to get involved? Reach out to karin.bengtsson@kista.com