In 2024, the American Council on Germany, with support from the City of Magdeburg in Germany, launched a new initiative called the German-American Semiconductor Cities Network to support semiconductor cities and communities on both sides of the Atlantic. The three-year project is meant to help key stakeholders from German and American cities where semiconductor companies have made or will make significant investments connect with each other to share ideas and experiences and, most importantly, to identify specific strategies, measures, and best practices that can be implemented in their respective communities to support successful semiconductor ecosystems.
From May 3 to May 9, 2026, the second cohort of 24 participants in the initiative, from the German cities of Hamburg/Itzehoe and Munich and the U.S. cities of Albany (New York) and Austin (Texas), visited Germany and gained a comprehensive overview of one of Europe’s most advanced semiconductor, microelectronics, quantum technology, and innovation ecosystems. During the week, participants engaged with leading universities, research institutes, startups, multinational corporations, economic development organizations, and government-supported initiatives, highlighting the strong collaboration between industry, academia, government, and investors that underpins Germany’s competitiveness in semiconductors and advanced technologies. This trip followed up on their U.S. trip in November 2025.
The program’s first day in Munich began with a session hosted by the Munich Urban Colab, a collaborative innovation space that brings together entrepreneurs, researchers, corporations, and public-sector stakeholders to address urban and technological challenges. The facility serves as a platform for experimentation, networking, and startup growth. The session introduced several organizations that play central roles in Bavaria’s innovation and semiconductor ecosystem. The delegation first learned about UnternehmerTUM, one of Europe’s largest entrepreneurship and innovation centers. Affiliated with the Technical University of Munich, UnternehmerTUM supports startups, corporate innovation programs, venture creation, and technology commercialization. A number of German semiconductor companies like Bosch, Infineon, and others sponsor the center which has spawned successful companies like Celonis and FlixBus. One of the program’s participants provided an overview of the Hochschule München, one of Germany’s largest universities of applied sciences focused on practical, application-oriented education in engineering, technology, and business disciplines. The university offers a specialized M.Sc. in micro- and nano-technology and also serves as the coordinator of the CHIPS of Europe project which strengthens networks between academia, industry, and schools to make semiconductor careers more attractive. One of the co-founders of SpiNNcloud discussed the company’s innovative computing architectures inspired by the human brain. The company develops neuromorphic computing systems designed to deliver highly efficient artificial intelligence processing with reduced energy consumption and which requires highly complex semiconductors. The session wrapped up with a presentation by Infineon Technologies, one of Europe’s largest semiconductor companies, that identified the key factors the company views as necessary to establish strong and successful semiconductor ecosystems, including physical infrastructure (water and electricity supplies), education and workforce pipelines, as well as close collaboration between academia, industry, and cities.
In the afternoon, the delegation visited Fraunhofer EMFT, a leading applied research institute specializing in sensors, microelectronics, and medical technologies. Researchers provided insights into advanced technology development and industry collaboration. The visit also included discussions about the Research Factory for Microelectronics Germany (FMD), Germany’s flagship microelectronics research network. FMD connects multiple research institutes across the country to accelerate semiconductor innovation and strengthen Germany’s technological sovereignty. A tour of the BMW Group Plant demonstrated how advanced manufacturing and automation technologies are integrated into modern automotive production. The facility showcased the growing importance of semiconductors and digital technologies in next-generation vehicle manufacturing and was illustrated by the CHASSIS initiative, which focuses on a flexible, modular approach to semiconductor design that will empower automotive manufacturers with tailored solutions, accelerate the transition to software-defined mobility, and foster competitive innovation within the industry. The day concluded with a networking reception hosted by Invest in Bavaria. As Bavaria’s official investment promotion agency, the organization supports companies in the nanotechnology sector and is a partner in the Bavarian Chips Alliance. The event brought together more than 80 stakeholders representing companies, research institutions, startups, investors, and public-sector organizations from across the semiconductor ecosystem in the region.
The second day focused on emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, and entrepreneurship being developed in the Munich tech ecosystem. The delegation visited the Munich Advanced-Technology Center for High-Tech AI Chips at the Technical University of Munich. The center conducts research on specialized semiconductor technologies designed to accelerate artificial intelligence applications while improving energy efficiency and performance. Participants also learned about TUM Venture Labs Quantum/Semicon, a startup incubation platform that supports entrepreneurs working in quantum technologies and semiconductor innovation. The program helps researchers and founders translate scientific discoveries into commercially viable businesses. At Brainlab, the delegation explored how advanced software, artificial intelligence, and digital technologies are transforming healthcare. Brainlab develops medical imaging, navigation, and surgical technologies used by healthcare providers worldwide. The group rounded out the visit to Munich at the T-Systems Innovation Center Munich, where participants learned about digital transformation initiatives and emerging technologies. The center serves as a hub for developing and testing innovative solutions for enterprise customers.
The program then moved north to Hamburg and Itzehoe. The delegation began with a visit to NXP Semiconductors Germany, a major global semiconductor company specializing in automotive, industrial, communications, and secure connectivity technologies. Discussions focused on the company’s needs and priorities within the regional semiconductor ecosystem. Located on the NXP campus in Hamburg, the group next toured the DLR Quantum Computing Initiative, a federal government program supporting the development of quantum computing capabilities in Germany. The initiative brings together research institutions, startups, technology companies, and public-sector partners to advance quantum technologies.
In Itzehoe, the delegation explored the InnoQuarter Itzehoe, a unique innovation park where semiconductor manufacturing facilities, research centers, and startup offices operate side by side. The site demonstrates how geographic clustering can accelerate technology development and commercialization. The leadership at the Fraunhofer Institute for Silicon Technology ISIT provided an overview of their work in semiconductor technologies, power electronics, and advanced manufacturing. ISIT serves as a key bridge between academic research and industrial implementation. Participants then visited the IZET Innovationszentrum Itzehoe, which supports technology startups and innovation-driven companies through incubation, networking, and business development services. At IZET, representatives from RBZ Steinburg presented educational programs designed to prepare students and workers for careers in the semiconductor industry, and infrastructure planning was highlighted by discussions with Stadtwerke Steinburg GmbH. The utility company explained how reliable electricity, water, and gas infrastructure supports industrial growth and enables future semiconductor manufacturing expansion.
The final day of the tour featured a visit to DESY Research Center, one of Germany’s premier research institutions which operates world-class particle accelerators and conducts interdisciplinary research spanning physics, materials science, life sciences, and advanced technologies. While at DESY, the delegation also learned about Start-Up Labs Hamburg, an incubator that helps research-based startups commercialize breakthrough technologies and provides mentoring, infrastructure, and access to entrepreneurial networks.
Participants were introduced to the Northern Chip Network e.V., a recently established alliance that brings together companies, universities, research institutions, and regional partners to strengthen northern Germany’s semiconductor ecosystem and increase collaboration across the value chain. The program concluded at the Artificial Intelligence Center Hamburg (ARIC), where discussions focused on the growing convergence of artificial intelligence and semiconductor technologies. ARIC serves as a regional platform connecting businesses, researchers, startups, and policymakers working in AI. At ARIC, the delegation also learned about extensive financial support provided by IFB Hamburg, Hamburg’s development bank, to support innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as about Hamburg Quantum Innovation Capital (hqic) which serves as a central contact point, coordinator, and ecosystem builder for quantum technologies.
Overall, the delegation gained valuable insights into Germany’s integrated approach to innovation. The visits demonstrated how universities, research institutions, startups, established corporations, investors, workforce development organizations, utilities, and government agencies collaborate to create a globally- competitive semiconductor and deep-tech ecosystem. The program highlighted Germany’s commitment to advancing microelectronics, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and advanced manufacturing while building the infrastructure, talent, and partnerships necessary for long-term technological leadership.
The German-American Semiconductors Cities Network is organized and administered by the American Council on Germany and supported by the Transatlantic Program of the Federal Republic of Germany, funded by the European Recovery Program (ERP) of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE).