UK launches Semiconductor Catapult with focus on AI and RF

The UK Semiconductor Catapult, formerly the Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult, formally launched at Microelectronics UK 2026 in London. It is shifting strategic focus toward AI hardware, datacentre infrastructure and defence supply chains while keeping RF, photonics, power electronics, advanced packaging and a new quantum team.

• Catapult offers access to labs and cleanrooms in Newport, Bristol and Glasgow
• Key building blocks include solid-state transformers for datacentres and advanced photonics
• A new quantum technologies team has been added
• Goal is to help UK firms scale technologies and keep value in the domestic ecosystem