Barcelona firm establishes design center as part of European digital sovereignty push
Spanish chip design firm Openchip is bringing a significant economic boost to Limerick with the opening of a new design center in the city center, creating 70 research and development jobs.
Barcelona-based Openchip is establishing its new Irish center in the Gardens International building in Limerick. The firm designs high-tech devices that accelerate computers and systems, with its products expected to power Europe’s next-generation artificial intelligence and supercomputing systems.
The company aims to fill 70 R&D positions within a year, with 40 positions already filled. The Irish government is supporting the project through IDA Ireland, reflecting the strategic importance of the semiconductor sector to Ireland’s economy.
Openchip’s work has been recognized by the European Commission as an ‘Important Project of Common European Interest’ (IPCEI), designating it as crucial to maintaining Europe’s technological competitiveness and reducing dependence on non-European chip manufacturers.
Enterprise Minister Peter Burke welcomed the announcement, saying it would strengthen Ireland’s position as a global hub for semiconductor and advanced technology research. The investment aligns with broader European efforts to build domestic semiconductor manufacturing and design capacity.
Openchip CEO Cesc Gwim said the Limerick development is key to achieving ‘European digital sovereignty,’ referring to Europe’s goal of reducing reliance on Asian and American chip suppliers. The company is recruiting across experience levels from graduates to senior professionals, working in partnership with local universities and industry.
The announcement represents a significant vote of confidence in Limerick’s technology ecosystem and Ireland’s attractiveness for high-value research and development operations. The semiconductor sector has become increasingly strategic as chip shortages and geopolitical tensions have highlighted the risks of concentrated global supply chains.
Limerick has been positioning itself as a technology hub, leveraging the presence of University of Limerick and existing industry clusters to attract international investment. The Openchip center adds to the city’s growing portfolio of technology employers and reinforces its reputation as a location for innovation-driven companies.