PHX Reporter

EMD Electronics is set to launch the "Chip In for Arizona" student competition on February 14, 2025. The initiative, in collaboration with SEMI, the Arizona Commerce Authority, and the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, aims to inspire higher education students in Arizona to develop a new brand for the state's semiconductor sector. The contest seeks to highlight Arizona's growing role in technology and sustainability within the global market.

The competition is designed to empower students by allowing them to contribute creatively to Arizona’s technological narrative. Participants will work towards creating a unified brand that enhances regional competitiveness by attracting investment and talent.

Eligible participants must be at least 18 years old and enrolled part-time or full-time at an accredited higher education institution in Arizona. Students can participate individually or form teams of up to four members. Submissions require a brand narrative, supporting case studies or market research, and a rollout overview.

Applications open on February 14, 2025, with a submission deadline of March 14, 2025. Finalists will be announced on March 31, 2025, and they will present their projects at the SEMI Arizona Chapter Breakfast Forum on April 30, 2025.

The sponsors of this competition include EMD Electronics, the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA), the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC), and SEMI. These organizations support various industry sectors through partnerships with academic and government entities.

For more information about eligibility requirements and submission guidelines for "Chip In for Arizona," interested parties are encouraged to visit www.semiconwest.org/chip-in-for-arizona.

EMD Electronics operates as part of Merck KGaA in Darmstadt, Germany. With around 2,000 employees across its U.S. offices in Tempe (AZ) and Philadelphia (PA), it provides high-tech materials for the semiconductor industry among other products.

The Greater Phoenix Economic Council focuses on economic development by collaborating with multiple communities and private investors to attract businesses to Greater Phoenix. Meanwhile, the ACA works towards strengthening Arizona’s economy by attracting companies from outside the state while supporting local business expansion.