Tyndall hails record year as three chip start-ups launched

The spin-out of three new companies from Cork's Tyndall National Institute has been highlighted as a sign of the growing strength of Ireland's indigenous semiconductor sector.

In its annual report, Tyndall said 2025 was its most successful year to date for commercialisation, with Vivid Photonics, PulpoSemi, and Endurance Semiconductors established to bring Irish-developed chip technologies to international markets.

All three companies were selected for the inaugural ChipStart EU Programme, Europe's first incubator dedicated to semiconductor start-ups, with Tyndall spin-outs accounting for a quarter of successful applicants.

Tyndall, a partnership between University College Cork and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, also highlighted the launch of Silicon Island: Ireland's National Semiconductor Strategy as a key milestone for the sector.

The report highlights how Tyndall’s impact extends beyond research excellence into economic development. 

During 2025, Tyndall engaged directly with 98 industry partners, secured €8.5m in industry funding, and helped establish Ireland’s Chips Competence Centre, which provides funding, mentoring, training, and market-access supports to semiconductor companies seeking to scale.