Image credit: TeraSi

A new platform for Sweden’s growing chip sector

The global momentum around semiconductors is growing, and Sweden needs to act to stay competitive. As investment accelerates, the need to strengthen domestic capabilities, from education and research to innovation and manufacturing, is becoming increasingly urgent. In Kista, new efforts are now underway to support this shift and foster collaboration within the national ecosystem.

The challenge 

 Sweden’s semiconductor sector is expanding, but the industry is also facing a generational shift. Too few students are choosing hardware and electronics, while valuable knowledge risks being lost as experienced professionals retire — all as demand for skilled talent rises sharply. This presents a short-term challenge with long-term implications for growth and competitiveness. As a result, many companies in the field are looking for ways to grow, collaborate, and access new talent. Meeting their needs, while inspiring the next generation of engineers and entrepreneurs, has become a national priority. 

Semiconductor Arena 

Against this backdrop, a new initiative is taking shape in Kista. Semiconductor Arena — led by Kista Science City, KTH, RISE and STING — aims to strengthen collaboration across Sweden’s semiconductor ecosystem. The work includes helping startups grow, forming new innovation constellations, and supporting the path from research to commercialization. 

A key ambition is to make Electrum Laboratory a more open and social hub for theindustry. It will serve as a space for showcasing innovation, networking, and deep technical collaboration — a neutral platform where students, researchers, startups, and established players can 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. 

At Kista Science City, we look forward to working with the ecosystem to drive this development forward, connect stakeholders, and strengthen Sweden’s position in this strategically vital field. 

We look forward to working with the ecosystem to drive this development forward, connect stakeholders, and strengthen Sweden’s position in this strategically vital field. 

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