Catalonia to host Spain’s main semiconductor industry congress

In 2026, Catalonia will host Spain’s main semiconductor industry congress, Chipnation. This gathering of key industry players will bring together over 300 experts, companies, and professionals to discuss the sector’s challenges and trends. This was announced by the President of the Government of Catalonia, Salvador Illa, during the event marking Catalonia’s assumption of the presidency of the European Semiconductor Regions Alliance (ESRA).

The decision by the Spanish Semiconductor Industry Association (AESEMI) to hold the event in Catalonia has been supported by ACCIÓ–Catalonia Trade & Investment and the Barcelona City Council, which will collaborate in organizing the congress.

AESEMI is a recently established association that brings together the main players in Spain’s semiconductor industry. Since 2023, it has been responsible for organizing Chipnation, which has previously been held in Getafe (Madrid), Valencia, and, this year, in Gran Canaria in December.
 

“Catalonia was chosen for its strategic position in the semiconductor ecosystem, ongoing flagship projects, reputation as a tech hub, and strong coordination between the Government and City Council”

Alfonso Gabarrón, AESEMI’s General Manager

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The selection process was competitive, and Barcelona was chosen from among several candidates. According to AESEMI’s General Manager, Alfonso Gabarrón, the factors that led to the choice of Catalonia included "its strategic position in the semiconductor ecosystem, the flagship projects currently being developed in the region, its reputation as a recognized technology hub, and the strong coordination between the Government of Catalonia and the City Council." The organization’s goal is for the Barcelona edition to feature around 50 exhibitors, twice the number expected for this year’s event.

The Secretary for Business and Competitiveness and CEO of Catalonia Trade & Investment, Jaume Baró, emphasized that "hosting Chipnation is another milestone in consolidating Catalonia’s position as an industrial and talent hub for chips in Spain and Europe." According to Baró, "AESEMI’s recognition of our semiconductor ecosystem as a benchmark in this industry demonstrates the strength and effectiveness of Catalonia’s strategy in this field."

Representing the Barcelona City Council, Deputy Mayor for Economy, Housing, Finance, and Tourism, Jordi Valls, stated that "Barcelona does not aim to be just another city in the technological race. We want to be one of Europe’s leading reference cities; both a meeting point and launching pad for the most innovative technologies, an incubator, showcase, marketplace, and agora for new technologies. Above all, we want Barcelona to become one of Europe’s chip capitals. Barcelona will lead in reindustrialization just as it did in the 19th century with textiles and in the 20th century with automobiles. The cutting-edge industry of the 21st century is semiconductors, and its epicenter will be Barcelona." He added that "this is already a reality in progress: we have a strong ecosystem (with the Barcelona Supercomputing Center as a key player), we have both national and international companies involved, and we have the firm public commitment of all institutions, including the City Council, through the Barcelona Innovation Coast and the Strategic Plan for Science and Innovation. We are on the right path, and hosting Chipnation 2026 in Barcelona confirms it."

The fourth edition of Chipnation next year will coincide with Catalonia’s presidency of the European Semiconductor Regions Alliance, which will be held throughout the year after serving as vice president this year.

According to the report "Semiconductors in Catalonia" prepared by ACCIÓ-Catalonia Trade & Investment, 260 stakeholders—made up of companies, organizations, technology centers, and research institutes—are already part of this ecosystem. Together, they generate a business volume of €302 million and a talent pool of more than 4,600 highly qualified professionals.

Much of this ecosystem is integrated into the Catalonia Semiconductors and Chips Alliance, led by the Ministry for Business and Labour through ACCIÓ-Catalonia Trade & Investment, the Agency for Business Competitiveness.