WEALTH August 6, 2026 0 Comments

How Three Sneaky Spinouts Are Quietly Unleashing a Semiconductor Tsunami That Could Rewrite the Industry Rules

Ever wonder how a tiny chip can shake up the global tech scene? Well, 2025 just proved that Ireland’s semiconductor game isn’t just about big multinational giants hogging the spotlight. Out of the Tyndall National Institute—the powerhouse nestled in University College Cork—sprouted three groundbreaking spinouts: Vivid Photonics, PulpoSemi, and Endurance Semiconductors. These startups aren’t merely local players; they’re poised to rocket Irish innovation right onto the world stage. What’s sizzling here is more than just tech—it’s a bold testament to how homegrown research, smarts, and a heck of a lotta grit can translate into real economic firepower, creating new jobs and leading the charge into tomorrow’s semiconductor frontier. This momentum isn’t just a fluke—it’s strategy, investment, and vision all coming together to paint Ireland not just as a Silicon Island, but a seriously formidable player in the chip industry. Ready to see how they did it? LEARN MORE

Three semiconductor companies were spun out of the Tyndall National Institute in 2025, marking the UCC-based deep-tech research centre’s most successful year for commercialisation activity to date.

Vivid Photonics, PulpoSemi and Endurance Semiconductors were all established last year to bring breakthrough Irish semiconductor technologies to global markets.

The spinout firms demonstrate that semiconductors are not solely the domain of multinational corporations but also represent a significant opportunity for indigenous enterprise creation and growth.

“The achievements outlined in Tyndall’s 2025 Annual Report demonstrate the importance of continued investment in research, talent and innovation,” said Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless.

“The launch of three semiconductor spin-out companies is a powerful example of how research excellence can be translated into economic impact, creating new opportunities for enterprise, employment and technological leadership.

“Through initiatives such as INSPIRE, we are strengthening the foundations that enable institutions like Tyndall to deliver discoveries, develop talent and support the growth of innovative Irish companies.”

Dr Patrick Morrissey, director of innovation and industry engagement, Tyndall, said: “The success of these spinouts demonstrates the tremendous potential of Ireland’s indigenous semiconductor sector and its contribution to delivering the Silicon Island ambition of doubling the industry by 2040.

“Tyndall is uniquely positioned to accelerate that growth by converting cutting-edge research into high-impact companies, supporting entrepreneurial talent, and connecting start-ups with global innovation networks.”

During 2025, Tyndall secured €8.5m in industry funding and helped establish Ireland’s Chips Competence Centre (I-C3), which provides funding, mentoring, training and market-access supports to semiconductor companies seeking to scale.

A major milestone during the year was the publication and launch of Silicon Island: Ireland’s National Semiconductor Strategy, which positions Ireland to capture new opportunities under the European Chips Act.

Tyndall played a central role in shaping the strategy and was selected to host its national launch, further reinforcing the institute’s position at the heart of Ireland’s semiconductor ecosystem.

Professor William Scanlon, CEO of Tyndall, said: “The momentum created in 2025 positions Tyndall strongly for the years ahead.

“As Ireland continues to expand its semiconductor capabilities, our focus is on supporting industry, developing talent, commercialising research and helping more indigenous technology companies emerge and scale.”

Professor John O’Halloran, president of University College Cork, said: “Quantum and Photonics are a key pillar of UCC Futures, the university’s flagship research and innovation framework.

“The publication of this report and Tyndall’s ongoing success shows that this framework is not merely aspirational; the work conducted in UCC and Tyndall nurtures cutting edge research and follows it through to real-world impact.”

Dr Denis Doyle, board chair of Tyndall, said: “2025 was a landmark year for Tyndall. From record spin-out activity and growing industry engagement to our selection to host three of Europe’s five Chips Joint Undertaking pilot lines, Tyndall continues to translate research excellence into impact.

“These achievements strengthen our position at the heart of Ireland’s semiconductor ecosystem and provide a strong foundation for future growth.”

Semiconductors — Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless. (Pic: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie)

Tyndall also recorded research income, major European funding successes, continued progress on campus expansion, and significant achievements across research excellence, international engagement, people and culture, and infrastructure development.

The institute is a partnership between the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and UCC.

(Pic: Getty Images)