Silicon Catalyst at Global Semiconductor Alliance’s 2024 International Semiconductor Conference in London

Silicon Catalyst sponsored the GSA International Conference held in London on March 13th and 14th. This was the first time an international semiconductor conference was held in the UK for close to a decade.

Having reinvigorated the appetite for semiconductor startups in the UK, our regional Silicon Catalyst events have been regularly attracting over 100 attendees. The ChipStart UK launch in October ’23 hosted 150 attendees. The GSA ambition was to reach an audience of 250. With less than a month to the event, the registration had not exceeded 40. Using our Silicon Catalyst branding with a doppalganger Lord Kitchener, we projected the message that your UK semiconductor industry needs you to get involved in this international debate about the future path of global semiconductors. With this call to action, we successfully accelerated registrations to well above the required target with the final number being 320 tickets.

The compelling content of the conference was kicked off with a GSA Women Leadership Initiative session addressed by their wonderful CEO Jodie Shelton. Our very own Maria Cristina Borelli is actively involved in this brilliant initiative representing Silicon Catalyst in Europe. A powerful keynote address was delivered by Francoise Chombar, founder and Chairwoman of one of Europe’s up and coming semiconductor companies, Melexis.

Silicon Catalyst featured prominently in the two-day agenda, with our Strategic Partner, Arm, launching the joint semiconductor startup competition that we are running together for the second year in a row. The lucky winner will receive $250k of Arm credits plus unique networking opportunities and significant marketing exposure.

Our co-founder and board member, Dan Armbrust chaired a thoughtful and well-informed panel discussion on semiconductor policy interventions from the US Chips Act and comparing and contrasting strategies from the EU Chips Act and UK semiconductor strategy.

The final afternoon of the second day was devoted entirely to semiconductor startups.

Our UK Managing Partner, Sean Redmond introduced the ever-growing Silicon Catalyst ecosystem to lead into a showcase of SiliconCatalyst.UK early stage semiconductor startups from the 9 month UK Government funded ChipStart UK incubator. Each startup projected their value for 5 minutes in fast succession, convincingly and professionally making their case for seed investment.

 Incubator Press Release

HELPING PARKINSONS PATIENTS AND OPTIMISING AI – MEET THE UK CHIP START-UPS CHANGING THE FUTURE

Eleven semiconductor design start-ups have joined government-backed incubator – ChipStart UK – launched through the National Semiconductor Strategy.

Two-year programme will give companies support to get innovative semiconductors to the global market.

The cohort are working to design chips that are better for brain implants, can improve online user security through transformative quantum computing, and that will reduce the computing resource and energy needed to train AI models.

British start-ups solving some of the world’s most complex issues through the design of semiconductor chips have today (Thursday 12 October) been named as members of a new government-backed incubator that will provide support as they grow to become future global chip leaders.

Companies chosen for the pilot are already innovating in a range of exciting areas, including developing chips for brain implants that will address debilitating conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, groundbreaking chips that could boost the capability and efficiency of AI and new ways of reducing vast energy use in data centres across the world, helping to tackle climate change.

ChipStart UK is a two-year pilot programme backed by the Government that will provide early-stage companies involved in the design of semiconductors with the technical and commercial help they need to help bring new products to market.

The £1.3m programme will be delivered by SiliconCatalyst.UK, the world’s most experienced start-up accelerator, which has engaged with hundreds of chip companies on scaling up and growing. It will give companies access to bespoke chip design tools, commercial expertise, specialised mentorship, and networking opportunities with prospective investors and partners.

Minister for Technology Paul Scully said:

“Semiconductors are the bedrock of our modern economy and an increasingly integral part of our lives. These firms are building on Britain’s research leadership to open doors to innovation and growth, while designing chips that could truly change the way we live our lives.

“Whether they’re innovating how we support patients with Parkinsons or are on the cusp of supercharging how AI is used, these firms are the brightest sparks in the UK’s thriving semiconductor industry. This incubator will make sure they have the skills they need to revolutionise the lives of people not only in the UK, but across the world.”

Among the companies that have been announced as joining the pilot today are MintNeuro, which is pioneering the use of semiconductor technology to support patients with neurological conditions by developing physical neural implants that can reduce the need for surgery.

Mignon and Vaire Computing have also joined the pilot, both design hardware that is built to run large-scale AI models using more efficient chips – allowing AI models to use less energy and computer resource, leading to more efficient training and research.

SiliconCatalyst.UK CEO Sean Redmond said:

"This is one of the most exciting times to start and grow a globally successful semiconductor company from the UK. The first group of 11 UK semiconductor startups to enter ChipStart UK incubator have been selected from 27 applications following two rounds of intensive panel interviews made up of semiconductor startup experts from the UK and Silicon Valley. Over the next 9 months we will shape and mould these outstanding new innovative companies into the next generation of semiconductor leaders."

The UK’s established, world-leading capability in semiconductor design is at the heart of the programme, with five of the firms initially founded as ‘spinouts’ from the UK’s leading universities, and two more originating from research carried out at Oxford and Cambridge universities.

The launch of the pilot delivers on a key commitment made in the National Semiconductor Strategy. On completion, the pilot will provide the UK’s semiconductor industry with a pipeline of new startups that have an innovative product, route to market and are a foundation for their forward growth, including routes to future seed funding.

The pilot is a clear example of the Government’s commitment to working in partnership with the semiconductor industry to support the competitiveness of UK businesses, and to achieve the wider goals of the National Semiconductor Strategy by growing the UK sector through building on our strengths.

The programme will run two consecutive cohorts and end in March 2025. Start-ups that have been chosen will be provided with:

• Access to, and support for, commercial design capability. This includes the full Silicon Catalyst ecosystem, access to design tools, IP, and prototyping capability.

• Commercial expertise and bespoke mentorship. Startups will be mentored by experienced semiconductor industry executives and connected into Silicon Catalyst’s global network.

• Exposure to private capital. Participant companies will also have access to the 270+ Silicon Catalyst advisors, Strategic Partners, and an extensive network of investment groups.

 News Release

Chip Innovators Join Forces with Government to Steer Future of UK Semiconductor Sector

Government forms expert semiconductor panel with leading names working together to boost UK semiconductor sector and grow the economy

Group will harness domestic semiconductor strengths, ensure secure supply of chips, and protect national security

Start-up incubator also launched to give innovators the resources and support needed to grow into tomorrow’s chip champions

From: Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and Paul Scully MP

Published 3 August 2023

Experts working at semiconductor titans such as Arm, IQE and PragmatIC will meet with Technology Minister Paul Scully today (Thursday 3th August) at Imperial College London, as part of the first meeting of the Semiconductor Advisory Panel.

With industry and government working hand in hand to deliver the National Semiconductor Strategy, it offers a twenty-year vision for the sector around three key goals: growing the domestic semiconductor sector, mitigating the risk of supply chain disruptions and protecting national security.

Semiconductors are an essential component of almost every electronic device we use, and as a result are vitally important for the modern world we live in. From phones and computers to ventilators and power stations, nearly every piece of technology in the world depends on them.

The panel will be made up of ten experts from across the semiconductor sector, with representatives from business and technology, alongside experts in venture capital, skills and research.

This includes Richard Grisenthwaite, Chief Architect at Arm, the British-headquartered semiconductor firm that has designed billions of the world’s chips, and Americo Lemos, CEO of IQE, a leading British advanced semiconductor manufacturer. The panel will also include Dr Eben Upton, CEO of the Raspberry Pi Foundation, a UK charity ensuring wider access to technology through the development of ultra-low cost computers.

Co-chaired by Technology Minister Paul Scully and renowned industry veteran and former Chief Executive of Dialog Semiconductor Dr Jalal Bagherli, the panel will provide the Government with advice and feedback on how it can support companies involved in the delivery of semiconductor products and ensure critical British industries have safe and steady access to the chips they need to drive innovation and grow the economy.

Future meetings will focus on how to nurture skills, improving access to finance, and developing stronger international collaboration, setting out how industry can work directly with Government to achieve these goals.

Technology Minister Paul Scully said:

“Properly engaging and listening to the experts at the heart of researching, designing and producing semiconductors is essential if we’re serious about growing our domestic sector, protecting our national security, and unleashing rapid innovation across the British economy.

“The Semiconductor Advisory Panel serves as the perfect way for industry and Government to work together closely on this critical industry so that we can deliver on our Semiconductor Strategy.”

In addition to the two co-chairs, the Semiconductor Advisory Panel includes:

• Amelia Armour - Partner, Amadeus Capital Partners

• Janet Collyer - Senior Independent Director at EnSilica, Independent NED at the UK Aerospace Technology, Chair of the Board at Quantum Dice and at Machine Discovery

• Prof. John Goodenough - Chair in Microelectronic Systems, University of Sheffield

• Richard Grisenthwaite - Executive VP & Chief Architect, Arm

• Rae Hyndman - Managing Director, Clas-SiC Wafer Fab

• Americo Lemos - CEO, IQE

• Dr. Andy Sellars - Strategic Development Director, Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult

• Dr. Eben Upton - CEO, Raspberry Pi

• Scott White - Executive Director, Pragmatic

Co-chair Dr Jalal Bagherli said:

“I am thrilled to be a member and co-chair of the upcoming UK Semiconductor panel, which presents a remarkable opportunity to bridge the gap between industrial executives, academia and national government. Each member brings a unique perspective and expertise, making it an ideal platform to collaborate with national government in shaping an effective policy for our industrial sector.”

The panel will meet every two months from now, agreeing key actions for both industry and government to take to further the sector. While the panel is a small, focused group of leading industry figures, it will engage broadly across the sector and government will continue to speak to a wide range of players across the UK semiconductor industry. 

Richard Grisenthwaite, EVP and Chief Architect, Arm, said:

“The UK is home to a thriving technology ecosystem and Arm is proud to have its headquarters in Cambridge, as we continue our work to enhance every walk of life with Arm technology.

“I look forward to serving on the Semiconductor Advisory Panel to ensure the UK has a strong place in the extraordinarily globalised semiconductor industry. We will focus on developing the UK's already considerable strengths, while working with like-minded nations to ensure resilient supply chains.”

The Government has also today announced details of the UK’s first semiconductor design incubator, which will give early-stage semiconductor companies in the UK technical and business support they need to bring new products to the market.

The pilot scheme will be run by SiliconCatalyst.UK, an experienced start-up accelerator, and will nurture semiconductor start-ups from across the UK through an extensive nine-month incubator programme.

Applications for companies wishing to join the first cohort of the nine-month incubator process (starting in the first week of October) can be made now on the SiliconCatalyst.UK website and will close on 15th September 2023.

Sean Redmond of Silicon Catalyst Named TechWorks 2022 Award Recipient

RECOGNITION FOR SUPPORT OF THE UK DEEP TECH STARTUP COMMUNITY

Sean Redmond, Silicon Catalyst.UK Managing Partner, has been awarded the highest accolade in the UK Deep Tech Industry - The Techworks Contribution to Industry Award. This award celebrates the UK Deep Tech industry's best of the best. Previous winners include legends of the UK Semiconductor industry, Sir Hossein Yassaie, CEO of Imagination Technologies and Jamie Urquhart co-founder of Arm.

John Moor, COO of Techworks reflected "I've lost track of all the things Sean has done to support the semiconductor industry in the UK over the years and I am honoured to have worked with him on a few of them." As Sean was in Silicon Valley for the Silicon Catalyst Portfolio Company update when the awards event was held, Richard Ord, who along with Russell Haggar, both Silicon Catalyst advisors, received the award on Sean's behalf saying "I can't think of a more worthy winner. Well deserved credit for pulling up trees in the UK semiconductor industry."

Receiving the award, Sean Redmond said "I am truly honoured to receive the Techworks Contribution to Industry award. Unfortunately, this year I had to be in Silicon Valley to attend our Silicon Catalyst Portfolio Company update meeting, so could not be there in person to receive it. I am overjoyed to receive this honour with deep gratitude and great humility. It is more a recognition of our European Silicon Catalyst Advisor team, our Strategic Partners, especially Arm with their hugely generous Arm Flexible Access program and our In-Kind Partners. Our advisors have such great depth and breadth and it is they that should be receiving this contribution to our industry award."

"We are honored that our Managing Partner in the UK should be the recipient of such a prestigious award. Well done Sean," said Pete Rodriguez, CEO of Silicon Catalyst. 

Techworks Award Video

SiliconCatalyst.UK and the National Microelectronics Institute (NMI) launch initiative for Semiconductor Start-ups

THE GOAL: TO MAKE THE UK AN EPICENTER OF SEMICONDUCTOR START-UP INNOVATION

Glasgow, UK and Santa Clara, California – SiliconCatalyst.UK (Silicon Catalyst) and the National Microelectronics Institute (NMI) have signed an agreement to collaborate to make the UK a leader in semiconductor start-up innovation in the next five years.

Silicon Catalyst.UK and the NMI have a common interest in helping to create the right conditions in which aspiring UK semiconductor start-ups can become global scale-ups:

• Silicon Catalyst.UK’s parent company, Silicon Catalyst, is the world’s only incubator focused exclusively on accelerating solutions in silicon with a mission to help semiconductor hardware start-ups succeed.

• NMI is the home and voice of the UK semiconductor industry and has successfully supported the domestic eco-system since it was established in 1996.

Silicon Catalyst has created a network that lowers the capital expenses associated with the design and fabrication of silicon-based IC’s, sensors, and MEMS devices by providing advanced design tools and services from a comprehensive network of In-Kind Partners (IKPs). Its Portfolio Companies utilize IKP tools and services including design tools, simulation software, design services, foundry PDK access and MPW runs, test program development, tester access, and banking and legal services. In addition, an advisory network totaling some 200 seasoned semiconductor veterans provide startups with invaluable guidance as they progress from PowerPoint to product. SiliconCatalyst.UK is actively seeking to engage with local VC’s and Angel groups in an effort to put its startups on a path to funding.

NMI has international and domestic semiconductor industry members, helping them build local capability and engineering excellence across design, test and manufacture of semiconductor-based products ranging from discrete products to complex AI-based systems. NMI also represents sector interests to Government and its agencies, facilitating innovation through collaboration in order to grow the UK economy and strategic interests.

Sean Redmond, Managing Partner SiliconCatalyst.UK said “the UK has world class research universities and a track record for semiconductor innovation. It also has fifteen semiconductor fabs specialising in advanced processes for photonics, power and mixed-signal RF applications. This manufacturing base has been extended with a strong MEMS, PICs and ASIC ecosystem. Combining these local assets with international partners and entrepreneurial drive creates a springboard for semiconductor start-up success.”

Alan Banks CEO of TechWorks, the legal entity behind NMI said “we are delighted to be working with Silicon Catalyst.UK and share the common vision of putting the UK in a leading position in Europe for creating semiconductor start-ups and creating the best environment for those companies to grow. By cultivating collaboration and ensuring government recognition of the semiconductor sector in areas such as automotive, IoT, communications, AI and edge computing, we have ambitions to facilitate the next generation of semiconductor companies building on the legacy of companies such as Arm, Wolfson, Icera and, more recently, Graphcore.”

Pete Rodriguez, CEO of Silicon Catalyst, said, "we have been delighted by our successful launch in the UK. The local reception has been very strong. Our team in the UK is establishing collaborations with local universities, investors and now the home of UK semiconductors, the NMI. They have signed-up several new advisors, a couple of new in-kind partners and attracted eight applications to our summer screening process. We look forward to their continued success."

Vaysh Kewada CEO and Co-Founder at Salience Labs, a UK-based start-up developing a low latency photonic AI processor, based on research from Oxford University said “as a newly admitted SiliconCatalyst.UK Portfolio Company, we were very excited to hear about the new partnership with the NMI. Having access to the many benefits of NMI membership will help amplify the richness and reach of collaboration opportunities that will be facilitated by NMI working closely with Silicon Catalyst.UK.”

The partnership of NMI and Silicon Catalyst.UK will provide the right support at the right time for start-ups moving through the early growth period through to business engagement and scaling up phases. The world-class Silicon Catalyst network of advisors and investors further facilitates their journey from idea through prototype toward volume production.

Live Event October 12, 2021 - To be recorded

The first of many semiconductor leadership events has been jointly organised by the NMI and Silicon Catalyst.UK at Bletchley Park’s National Museum of Computing for the 12th October 2021.

If you’re an early-stage semiconductor company based, or looking to be based in the UK, get in touch.

How to join/learn about the Silicon Catalyst.UK program?
Contact Sean Redmond Silicon Catalyst: sean@siliconcatalyst.uk

How to join/learn about TechWorks and NMI?
Contact Alan Banks NMI: alan.banks@techworks.org.uk

About NMI and TechWorks

NMI (National Microelectronics Institute) is the semiconductor branch of TechWorks (see below) and consists of members across the UK’s design and manufacturing semiconductor ecosystem. It’s members include fabless semiconductor manufacturers, integrated device manufacturers (IDM’s), Tool and EDA vendors, IP (intellectual property) providers, design and test consultants.

NMI Semiconductor Design - https://nmi-design.org.uk

NMI Semiconductor Manufacturing - https://nmi.org.uk

TechWorks

TechWorks is the hub for a growing number of UK technology communities. Its mission is to strengthen the UK’s deep tech capabilities as a global leader of contemporary and future technologies. It works across its member communities by developing industry-led collaborative programs, catalysing innovation, strengthening capability, increasing capacity and supporting Government’s goal to ensure UK is amongst the best locations to start build and scale technology companies.

See https://www.techworks.org.uk

Silicon Catalyst Launches UK-based Accelerator

Santa Clara, California and Stewkley, England, June 1, 2021 - Silicon Catalyst, the world’s only incubator focused exclusively on accelerating solutions in silicon, announced today SiliconCatalyst.UK, bringing Silicon Catalyst’s platform locally to the UK and European start-up community. Heading SiliconCatalyst.UK is Sean Redmond, an experienced semiconductor executive with international experience and a strong connection to the United Kingdom.

Silicon Catalyst’s mission is to help semiconductor hardware start-ups succeed. The ecosystem that Silicon Catalyst has created lowers the capital expenses associated with the design and fabrication of silicon-based integrated circuits (ICs), sensors, and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices by providing advanced design tools and services from a comprehensive network of In-Kind Partners (IKPs). The Portfolio Companies in the Accelerator utilize IKP tools and services including design tools, simulation software, design services, foundry PDK access and MPW runs, test program development, tester access, and banking and legal services. The world-class Silicon Catalyst network of advisors and investors further facilitates their journey from idea through prototype toward volume production. See www.siliconcatalyst.uk for further background about the Accelerator.

“The UK has incredible innovation through its world-class universities, already significant startup community, and support from the government,” said Sean Redmond. “We look forward to working closely with the U.K. start-up ecosystem, bringing a small part of Silicon Valley to further accelerate entrepreneurial teams to their full potential. We will be hosting a webinar on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 and invite members of the semiconductor value chain to attend and learn more about our comprehensive accelerator program.” Registration details will be available shortly.

Nick Kepler, Chief Operating Officer of Silicon Catalyst, said “Silicon Catalyst exists to help start-ups, and we’re excited for the opportunity to accelerate the technology innovation happening in the United Kingdom. Over the last six years, Silicon Catalyst has made available to its Portfolio Companies over $100 million dollars of in-kind services and helped them to raise more than $250 million dollars in funding. In addition, many of our Portfolio Companies credit their success to the extensive network of nearly 200 advisors which saved them literally years by avoiding mistakes that most start-ups make.”

“Having recently worked closely with the U.K. government, industry, and universities to guide their industrial digital strategy, this launch is a great opportunity to put that work into action for U.K. semiconductor start-ups,” said Sean Redmond.

“Start-ups can capitalize on major growth opportunities in areas such as IoT and machine learning with fast, low cost and low risk access to best-in-class SoC design technology,” said Phil Burr, senior director of strategic programmes, Arm. “Combining Silicon Catalyst’s support with Arm Flexible Access for Startups, which provides free access to Arm IP and tools for prototyping silicon, will help startups get to working prototypes as quickly as possible, accelerating innovation in the UK.”

“Silicon Catalyst has opened the doors to Silicon Valley for us,” exclaimed Huw Davies, CEO of UK startup Trameto. “In addition to affordable access to high-value In-Kind Partners like TSMC, Synopsys, and Advantest, Trameto has been strongly supported by experienced semiconductor industry veterans such as Mark Ross, ex-CTO of Cypress Semiconductor, as technology contributor and advisor, and John East, ex-CEO of Actel, as advisor.”

“ST works with a large number of innovative tech start-ups across the world to help them develop and industrialize their products and get to market faster, targeting automotive, industrial, personal electronics and communication infrastructure applications,” said Kirk Ouellette, Vice President Strategic Marketing and Strategy Development, STMicroelectronics. “Our engagement as a Silicon Catalyst Strategic and In-Kind Partner helps us find and engage with relevant start-ups, and surrounds them with the supportive Silicon Catalyst ecosystem that is critical to their success. We look forward with excitement to engage with many more start-ups and the various tech ecosystems in the U.K. with this additional Silicon Catalyst team.”

“We are pleased to be working with SiliconCatalyst.UK to ignite the next generation of innovation,” said Steve McDonald, Synopsys VP of Sales for Europe. “The strengthening economic pull from new market verticals for custom silicon is creating tremendous opportunity for chip design start-ups. With a distinguished track record enabling emerging businesses, Synopsys provides Silicon Catalyst portfolio companies with state-of-the-art tools and IP that reduce risk and accelerate time-to-market.”

“It has been a pleasure for Real Ventures to partner with Silicon Catalyst over the past several years,” said Mark McDowell, Partner at Real Ventures. “Silicon Catalyst is incubating a fascinating collection of semiconductor hardware start-ups. As investors in SPARK Microsystems we have experienced how the Silicon Catalyst ecosystem surrounds each start-up with support that de-risks our investment.”

“Salience Labs joined Silicon Catalyst earlier this year and has already gained extensive value,” said Vaysh Kewada, CEO of U.K. start-up Salience Labs. “Silicon Catalyst provides start-ups with far more than in-kind services. It facilitates deep connections into the semiconductor industry through its advisors, who have spent time getting to know the company well, and then introduce and facilitate business-critical relationships. These relationships are already proving invaluable to Salience Labs, and we look forward to continuing to work with Silicon Catalyst.”

Agile Analog, based in Cambridge U.K., is Silicon Catalyst’s newest In-Kind Partner. John Hartley, CCO said, “We look forward to helping the Silicon Catalyst Portfolio Companies by quickly customizing their analog IP needs using our programmatic, systematic and repeatable methodology.”

”As Silicon Catalyst has grown, we have been impressed that many of their start-ups are developing interesting technologies to address important problems in the world,” commented Kirill Kuzmichev, Principal at NanoDimension. “In addition, the support of the Silicon Catalyst ecosystem, from partners providing tools and services to advisors providing expertise, increases the chance that each of these start-ups will succeed. Silicon Catalyst is one of the best places to look for good investments in semiconductor hardware.”

Upcoming Webinar and Accelerator Application Deadline

SiliconCatalyst.UK will be hosting a webinar for interested start-ups, university staff, investors, and potential in-kind partners on Wednesday, June 23. The webinar will feature presentations by Vaysh Kewada, CEO of Salience Labs in Cambridge and Huw Davies, CEO of Trameto in Wales, both UK companies in the Silicon Catalyst Portfolio. Also presenting will be other Silicon Catalyst partners. Registration details will be available shortly.

For those early-stage companies interested in applying to the Silicon Catalyst Accelerator, the deadline is July 2, 2021 for the next screening cycle. More details can be found at: https://www.siliconcatalyst.uk/application