Q&A on eligibility, costs, and privacy
Am I eligible for the services offered by ASTEERICS?
Whether you are a deep-tech startup designing its first chip, an industrial SME looking to integrate a custom component to secure its product, or a traditional company wishing to train its engineers, you are eligible for all or part of the ASTEERICS offering—free of charge.
The easiest way to check your eligibility is to undergo a quick, free initial assessment with our teams to identify the pathway best suited to your needs.
I do not develop electronic systems or systems incorporating electronics; am I nonetheless eligible for the training activities of the ASTEERICS program?
Yes. If your company is planning to integrate smart or connected features into future products, or if you wish to familiarize your decision-makers, project managers, and engineers with the issues surrounding digital sovereignty and semiconductors, you can attend our training sessions.
Why are the services offered by ASTEERICS free or subsidized?
ASTEERICS is an initiative of national and European importance. Support, advisory, and awareness-raising services are co-funded by the European Union (Chips Joint Undertaking) and the France 2030 program (Skills and Professions of the Future). This public support helps lower financial and technological barriers for French SMEs.
What is the cost of the microelectronics training courses provided by ASTEERICS?
Thanks to European and national public co-financing, awareness-raising initiatives and initial training modules are fully covered or heavily subsidized for eligible SMEs and startups. For specific inter- or intra-company continuing education courses, a personalized quote detailing any remaining cost is prepared based on your status.
Are the training courses provided by ASTEERICS eligible for the QUALIOPI scheme?
ASTEERICS training courses are delivered by QUALIOPI-certified organizations and trainers (such as CAP’TRONIC or the CNFM). However, the ASTEERICS program itself is a national support initiative, with its training pathways directly funded by European public funds and the France 2030 plan allocated to the project.
What funding does ASTEERICS support provide access to?
ASTEERICS is not a venture capital fund, but it actively supports you in structuring and preparing your public and private funding applications related to integrated circuit development:
National funding bodies and Bpifrance: Innovation grants, microelectronics assessments, France 2030 calls for projects, etc.
European programs: Chips JU calls for projects, and facilitated access to EuroCDP and INFRACHIP services.
Private investors: Introductions to deep-tech investment networks specializing in hardware and semiconductors.
For innovation funding, ASTEERICS draws on the expertise of the partner competitiveness clusters within the consortium: Minalogic, AKTANTIS, ALPHA-RLH, Images & Réseaux, Smart Power, and Systematic.
The solutions I develop are confidential. Is this an issue for using ASTEERICS' services?
Absolutely not. Protecting your intellectual property and trade secrets is an absolute priority.
Before any in-depth technical discussions regarding your product or ASIC project, a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) is signed between your organization and the ASTEERICS representative. Your strategic data is never disclosed.