CSconnected announces £1M investment in final call to supply chain development programme
25th February 2026
CSconnected, the world’s first compound semiconductor cluster, has announced the fourth and final funding round of its £1 million Supply Chain Development Programme, delivered in partnership with Cardiff Capital Region (CCR).
This dedicated fund aims to accelerate the expansion of the compound semiconductor supply chain, driving job creation, stimulating economic growth, and strengthening the UK’s strategic position in advanced semiconductor manufacturing.
For this fourth funding call, CSconnected is encouraging applications from companies based in and around South Wales, as well as organisations across the wider UK that support the compound semiconductor sector. This opens the door for a range of UK-based businesses to participate and contribute to one of the UK’s most critical technology ecosystems.
The call aims to support existing and potential suppliers and buyers of the core organisations of the CSconnected Cluster.
The programme supports individual projects of up to £100,000 in grant value, with a maximum intervention rate of 50%, equivalent to a total project cost of £200,000. Micro companies remain eligible for a 70% intervention rate for grants up to £30,000. Projects must be led by a UK-registered limited company, run for between six and nine months, and demonstrate clear benefits to the South Wales region where CSconnected is headquartered.
Howard Rupprecht, managing director of CSconnected, said: “This final funding round is building on the success of the projects in the programme so far that are improving resilience and capacity within the UK’s semiconductor ecosystem. We are inviting more companies across the UK to build and strengthen their strategic supply chain partnerships with the compound semiconductor cluster South Wales”
Current projects are equipping suppliers with new production line capabilities, enhancing throughput, validating new products and services to improve design efficiencies, and utilising UK suppliers to onshore manufacturing processes.
Among the businesses already benefiting from the programme is KuasaSemi, a company specialising in advanced power semiconductor design. Their participation illustrates the tangible impact the fund is having on UK capability and regional collaboration.
David Mawby, Co-Founder and Director of KuasaSemi, said: "Being part of the Supply Chain Development Programme has significantly accelerated our technical progress and helped us build a stronger UK capability in advanced power semiconductor design. The support has not only enabled key milestones but also opened new relationships across the South Wales cluster, strengthening collaboration and future innovation."
All proposals must be supported by a primary cluster organisation and will be awarded as Minimum Financial Assistance (MFA) subsidies under the Subsidy Control Act 2022, with recipients receiving quarterly payments in advance.
Deadline for applications: The funding round closes Friday, 17th April 2026. For further details on how to apply, please visit the CSconnected website.
For prospective applicants, CSconnected will host an online webinar on the 11th of March outlining the aims of the final round, eligibility criteria and application process. The session will take place on Wednesday, 11th March and will include examples of previous successful projects, alongside practical guidance on preparing a strong submission. To sign up, please follow this link.
In addition, CSconnected will host an in-person supply chain event to spotlight the compound semiconductor supply chain across South Wales and the wider UK. The event will provide an opportunity for potential applicants to hear about sector challenges, make valuable connections with the primary cluster organisations as well as the wider UK supply chain. To register, please follow this link.
Notes to editors:
Adam Gettinby / Zoe Fawcett: CSconnected@purplefish.agency
Tel: 0117 925 1358
About CSconnected
CSconnected is a not-for-profit organisation focused on expanding the South Wales compound semiconductor industry. As the world's first compound semiconductor cluster, CSconnected brings together a unique community of academic institutions, prototyping facilities, and global high-volume manufacturing capabilities. The Cluster fosters cutting-edge research, innovation and global leadership, positioning Wales and the UK to compete globally in critical sectors such as 5G communications, autonomous and electric vehicles, advanced medical devices, sustainable technology and next-generation consumer electronics.
Website: csconnected.com
LinkedIn: CSconnected
YouTube: CSconnected
