CNSC Annual Meeting 2026: ACDRC Presents Its Results to the Czech Semiconductor Ecosystem
More than 50 member organisations of the Czech National Semiconductor Cluster (CNSC) met in Brno on 24 September.
From the Laboratory to the Global Market: How the ACDRC Programme Is Strengthening Czech–Taiwan Semiconductor Cooperation in 2026
The semiconductor industry is undergoing rapid development, and the partnership between Taiwan and the Czech Republic is delivering tangible, concrete results. The ACDRC (Advanced Chip Design Research Center) programme, hosted by the NIAR (National Institutes of Applied Research) under the auspices of the NSTC and supported by Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), has become a key platform for transferring advanced technologies from academia into real-world business applications.
Here is an overview of the key milestones, projects, and events shaping Czech–Taiwan cooperation in 2026:
1. Commercializing Research: Chip Design Automation with Pedestal Inc.
One of the biggest challenges in chip design is the time-consuming and highly manual process of creating the physical structure, known as the layout. Pedestal Inc., founded by Kai-Tse Lin (徐國翰), has developed innovative chip layout automation tools through the ACDRC programme, significantly shortening research and development cycles.
European Expansion
Through the ACDRC platform, this technology is gaining a foothold in the European market, particularly in automotive electronics and cybersecurity.
Lowering Barriers
Automation reduces costs and enables startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to enter the industry.
2. Jmem Tek Enters the Czech Market and Advances Chip Security
A concrete example of policy translating into practice is the entry of the Taiwanese company Jmem Tek into the Czech Republic.
Cooperation with CNSC and CyberSecurityHubCZ
Jmem Tek has officially established cooperation with the Czech National Semiconductor Cluster (CNSC) and CyberSecurityHubCZ in the areas of chip security testing and the development of international standards.
As NIAR President Hung-Yin Tsai emphasized, this step represents an effective model of international cooperation that connects academia, industry, and research.
3. Developing Talent: Competitive Researchers for Europe
The ACDRC programme focuses not only on technology but also on human capital. In an interview with The Icons, Jiří Jakovenko (CTU) emphasized that PhD students and postdoctoral researchers involved in the ACDRC programme gain a significant advantage in the job market. They combine deep academic expertise with an understanding of industry needs and the ability to work in international teams.
4. Community and Upcoming Events
The partnership is also reflected in the cultural and professional community:
Film Screening in Brno
A screening of the Taiwanese documentary A Chip Odyssey took place at Lucerna Cinema in Brno, with Jana Drbohlavová, Deputy Director of the ACDRC Center, delivering the opening remarks.
Upcoming Conference
On June 26, 2026, SCRC will host the event “Beyond Supply Chain Resilience: Innovation and the Future of the Czech-Taiwan Partnership”, with ACDRC participation. The conference will focus on the future of innovation and supply chains.
