Silicon Catalyst launches UK-based Accelerator

Silicon Catalyst, the world’s only incubator focused exclusively on accelerating solutions in silicon, has announced SiliconCatalyst.UK, bringing its platform locally to the UK and European start-up community.

Heading up SiliconCatalyst.UK are Dr Ron Black and Sean Redmond, both experienced Semiconductor executives with international experience and a strong connection to the United Kingdom.

Silicon Catalyst was set up in Silicon Valley to help semiconductor hardware start-ups to bring their products to market. The ecosystem that Silicon Catalyst has created has helped to lower 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 utilise 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 supports start-ups by working with them to help bring their ideas through prototype toward volume production.

“The UK has incredible innovation through its world-class universities, already significant start-up community, and support from the government,” said Dr Ron Black. “We look forward to working closely with the UK 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.”

Commenting Nick Kepler, Chief Operating Officer of Silicon Catalyst, added, “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 $200 million dollars in funding. In addition, many of our Portfolio Companies credit their success to the extensive network of over 180 advisors which saved them literally years by avoiding mistakes that most start-ups make.”

“Silicon Catalyst has opened the doors to Silicon Valley for us,” said 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.”

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

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, as well as other Silicon Catalyst partners.