Companies across the semiconductor manufacturing supply chain have set ambitious goals to reduce emissions and conserve natural resources as the chip industry works to reduce its carbon footprint. The movement sparked the SEMI Startups for Semiconductor Sustainability program and its aim to help the semiconductor industry advance sustainability efforts with innovative solutions to make the manufacturing process more eco-friendly. Part of the SEMI Sustainability Initiative, the Startups program gives companies a chance to pitch their solutions to top semiconductor venture capital (VC) firms and court more funding.
Three participants in the novel program gathered for a podcast with 3D InCites to discuss their sustainability solutions, the visibility to sources of venture capital the Startups program has given them, and tips for applicants to this year’s program.
SEMI again invites all startups, academics, and innovators with compelling ideas for advancing semiconductor industry sustainability to apply to participate. Learn more at Startups for Semiconductor Sustainability.
In the podcast with host Francoise von Trapp of 3D InCites, James Amano, Senior Director of EHS and Sustainability at SEMI, sheds light on the Startups for Semiconductor Sustainability program. The first of a three-part series, the podcast episode features the following semi-finalists, all participants in the Startups program at SEMICON West 2022.
- Jon Herlocker, President and CEO at Tignis
- Maher Damak, CEO and Co-Founder at Infinite Cooling
- Lester D'Cruz, Senior Director Product Management at ATONARP
Startups for Sustainability Broadens Reach
In this, its second year, Startups for Sustainability is out to attract a wider range of startups by making emissions, energy-efficiency, and circularity (water and waste) technologies top priorities. The application period is open and runs until the submission deadline of March 13.
SEMI will announce semifinalists in April and they'll be matched with industry and/or corporate venture capital mentors over six weeks for coaching on how to apply their technologies to the semiconductor industry. The startups will also get advice on how to pitch investors. A final pitch event will be held in June, and finalists announced at SEMICON West 2023.
The SEMI Startups for Sustainability initiative gives startups:
- Insights from industry experts on how to break into the semiconductor space and how to best apply their technology to the industry
- Access to potential proof-of-concept (POC) and pilot partnerships with visibility across major semiconductor players
- Greater awareness through communications initiatives
Sign up to stay current on Startups for Semiconductor Sustainability news.
Samer Bahou is director of Marketing Communications at SEMI.