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16th & 17th November 2026
Westin Dragonara Resort, Malta

Conference Schedule

Browse the full conference programme and the spouses’ programme below. Timings are local (Malta time, CET) and subject to change.

08h30

Registration

09h10

Keynote Speech: The ASML Way — Lessons in Building a European Chip Champion

10h00

Opening Address

  • Hon. Silvio Schembri, Minister for Economy, Technology & Strategic Projects
10h10

Panel 1: From Lab to Fab — Leveraging Pilot Lines for Industrial Growth

Moderator: Jalal Bagherli, Former CEO, Dialog Semiconductor
10h50

Industry Keynote: Building a Resilient, Highly Skilled, and Competitive European Semiconductor Capacity

11h10

Panel 2: Advancing Europe’s Semiconductor Ecosystem: Lessons from IPCEI ME/CT and Outlook to IPCEI AST

  • Roberto Zafalon, Director, Europe Institutional Relationships, STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
  • Dr Sophie Cordeiro, Public Funding, Consortia & Geopolitics, Robert Bosch GmbH
  • Cathy Batisson, Lead, European Research & Innovation Partnerships and Public Funding, Renault Group
  • Martin Mischitz, Director, Innovation & Funding Management, Infineon Technologies Austria AG
  • Tomáš Bort, Director, Innovation & Public Affairs, Mycroft Mind
Moderator: Patrick Pype, Director, Strategic Partnerships & External Relations, NXP Semiconductors
12h00

Coffee Break

12h45

Panel 3: Made in Europe & Strategic Autonomy: Would this Deepen the Divide or Strengthen the Union?

  • Matthew Xuereb, Policy Officer, Microelectronics & Photonics Unit, DG CNECT, European Commission
  • Tullio Ambrosone, Coordinator, IE University Competitiveness Hub Brussels; Director of the Arel Single Market Lab
  • Tillman Schenk, Research Analyst, Bruegel
  • Andrea Ganio, Chief Institutional Relations Officer of SPEA spa
  • Gordon Cordina, Executive Director, E-Cubed Consultants
  • Frederique Le Greves, President STMicroelectronics France and Executive Vice President Europe & France Public Affairs
Moderator: Giovanni Tripodi, Strategic Advisor / Operations Lead, A&G Techminds
13h15

Lunch

14h30

Panel 4: AI & the Value Chain Divide: Avoiding a Two-Speed Ecosystem and Ensuring Broad-Based Benefits

  • Patrick Bressler, Director for International Cooperation, Emerging Technologies and Innovation, Fraunhofer Microelectronics Group / FMD (Research-Fab Microelectronics Germany)
  • Christophe Frey, President ScaleU, Chairman of the board Vertical Computer
  • Arkadiusz Hruszowiec, General Manager, Commercialization & Strategy, CEZAMAT | Warsaw University of Technology
  • Paolo Azzoni, Secretary General, INSIDE Industry Association
Moderator: Nitin Dahad, Editor-in-Chief, EE Times
15h30

Panel 5: Women in Semiconductors — Driving Diversity, Innovation, and Growth

Moderator: Romano Hoofman, Strategic Development Director, imec
16h15

Introduction to the Graduating ChipStart EU Cohort 1 Startups

17h30

End of Day One

19h00

Departure from Westin Dragonara Resort

19h30

An Evening at Verdala Palace: Culture, Wine & Networking

  • An exclusive soirée celebrating Maltese culture, hospitality, fine local wines and cuisine, complemented by cultural entertainment and networking in the unique surroundings of one of Malta’s most prestigious historic venues.
09h30

Introduction

09h45

Panel 1: Chips Competence Centres: From Centres to Impact — Companies' Perspectives

Moderator: John Goodenough, Professor of Microelectronic Systems, Technology Leader in Research, Secure Microelectronic System Design and Automation
11h00

The Malta Experience: Fireside Chat

11h45

Startup Pitches: ChipStart EU Cohort #2 Semiconductor Startups

13h00

Lunch

14h15

Keynote Speech: The EU Chips Design Platform, a Catalyst for Fabless Design in Europe

14h30

Panel 3: The Importance of the EU Chips Design Platform for European Sovereignty and Economic Security

Moderator: Giorgio Dell’Erba, Director of Industrial Partnerships and Tech Transfer, Fondazione Chips-IT
15h00

Pitching Sessions: EuroCDP Accelerate

16h30

Pitching Sessions: EuroCDP Incubate

Valletta's skyline and the Grand Harbour at dusk

Discover Valletta’s Cultural Heritage

Step into the heart of Valletta, Malta’s UNESCO World Heritage capital city, and discover its rich history, culture and architectural beauty. Led by an expert guide, guests will enjoy a carefully curated cultural experience through some of Malta’s most iconic landmarks.

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Assemble in The Westin Dragonara Resort Lobby

  • Guests are welcomed by Malta Enterprise representatives together with an expert tour guide.
09h30

Departure to Valletta & Guided Walking Tour

Transfer to Valletta, Malta’s historic capital, renowned for its baroque architecture, fortifications, and vibrant cultural heritage. On arrival, guests will enjoy a guided walking tour through the city’s most prominent sites.

  • Triton Fountain and the City Gate entrance
  • Valletta’s impressive fortifications
  • The Parliament Building and the Royal Opera House ruins
  • The Church of Our Lady of Victory, the first building constructed in Valletta
  • Castille Square and surrounding historic buildings
  • The Upper Barrakka Gardens
  • Views of the Grand Harbour and the Three Cities
  • The Auberges of the Knights and key government buildings
  • The Law Courts and central Valletta landmarks
  • St John’s Co-Cathedral, home to masterpieces by Caravaggio
  • The Grand Master’s Palace, featuring historic state rooms and collections
The Triton Fountain illuminated at night, outside Valletta's City Gate
Triton Fountain
The Saluting Battery firing beneath the Upper Barrakka Gardens, overlooking the Grand Harbour
Upper Barrakka Gardens
A traditional Valletta street lined with balconies, leading down to the Grand Harbour
Valletta’s Streets
The gilded baroque interior of St John's Co-Cathedral
St John’s Co-Cathedral
13h00

Lunch at Palazzo Preca

Enjoy a relaxed and elegant lunch at Palazzo Preca, located in the heart of Valletta. Set within a charming traditional Maltese palazzo, the restaurant offers a warm and refined atmosphere, showcasing local and Mediterranean flavours. Guests will enjoy a curated set menu with a choice of dishes, complemented by wine, water, and coffee.

15h30

Return to The Westin Dragonara Resort

Sunset view from The Westin Dragonara Resort terrace, overlooking the pool and the sea
Price €90 per person

Includes cultural visit in Valletta, return transportation, expert tour guide, entry to key attractions, lunch, and beverages.

We can accommodate any dietary requirements.

Palazzo Preca — Set Menu

Amuse Bouche
A single bite size
Starter — Choose One
Local Cheese-let (V) Deep fried breaded cheese-let served with tomato & chilli jam
Insalata Stella Water cheeselets, beetroot, mixed leaves, artichokes & calamata olives
Soup of the Day Home made soup served with croutons
Braised Beef Ravioli Homemade ravioli with braised beef served with sage & butter
Main Course — Choose One
Sea-bass & Leek Veloute Pan fried filleted sea bass served with leeks & cream
250g Beef Tagliata Grilled served medium topped with rucola & parmesan
Sous Vide Supreme of Chicken Served with duxelle of mushrooms and red wine jus
Ravioli Porcini & Truffle (V) Parmesan cream & asparagus

All the above are served with hot vegetables or salad and roast potatoes.

Desserts
A wide selection of desserts to choose from

Ready to be part of the conversation?

Join policymakers, industry leaders and investors in Malta this November for two days dedicated to strengthening Europe’s semiconductor competitiveness.

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