Semiconductor chips are integral to modern technology, powering everything from everyday smartphones to sophisticated AI systems and life-saving medical devices.

These companies represent the second wave of participants in ChipStart, an incubator initiative launched in October 2023 with £1.3 million in funding. The programme aims to cultivate a new breed of chip designers and attract nearly £20 million in private investment and grants, thereby stimulating economic growth.

POM Health is one of the innovative startups joining this cohort. It is at the forefront of developing a semiconductor-based wearable patch for continuous hormone monitoring, which could revolutionise healthcare by enhancing fertility treatments and providing women with accurate, real-time hormonal data.

Another notable entrant is HeronIC, which has engineered a software design tool that rapidly creates custom chips for AI applications. This tool not only improves energy efficiency but also enhances performance for complex AI tasks, marking a significant leap in the field of artificial intelligence.

Minister for Science, Patrick Vallance said: “Innovation in semiconductors can underpin technological advancements in every field, from AI to consumer devices and healthtech. British researchers across the country are leading in R&D in this essential field and the support we are delivering through ChipStart is helping their ideas become reality.

“As well as the commercial success of the first cohort, the innovations ChipStart is supporting could help to change lives, from helping to develop new fertility treatments to optimising AI and extending the battery life of devices we use every day. We are making sure British science leadership converts to help address critical global challenges and drive economic growth.”

Following a first round that saw participants close over £10 million of funding from private investors and grants, with a total of nearly £20 million in commitments being finalised, ChipStart will continue to provide these early-stage semiconductor companies with:

• access to commercial design capability: Including the full Silicon Catalyst ecosystem, design tools, IP, and prototyping capability
• commercial expertise and mentorship: Startups receive guidance from experienced semiconductor industry executives and connections to Silicon Catalyst’s global network
• exposure to private capital: Access to over 270 Silicon Catalyst advisors, Strategic Partners, and an extensive network of investment groups

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 future growth, including routes to future seed funding.

Sean Redmond, Managing Partner, Silicon Catalyst UK said: “ChipStart UK is leveraging the UK’s position as a global centre of semiconductor research to transform academic innovations into market-ready technologies.

“Nine of the 11 firms in the next group come from UK universities and are set to build on the success of the first cohort, which secured a strong position in the international semiconductor supply chain through private funding and global partnerships. After nine months of rigorous training, ChipStart has created over thirty new UK semiconductor executives, ready to scale their businesses towards global success.”

Dorian Haci, CEO and Co-Founder, MintNeuro said: “The ChipStart UK programme, along with the Silicon Catalyst ecosystem, has equipped MintNeuro with essential design and manufacturing tools and a network of semiconductor-focused mentors and advisors, crucial for our go-to-market strategy.

“Since joining the programme, we have secured additional funding and formed key partnerships. These developments accelerate the commercialisation of our pioneering neural implant technologies, aimed at improving the lives of millions suffering from neurological conditions.”

Over the past year, Vaire Computing secured $4.5 million to advance its groundbreaking low-power chips. These energy-efficient semiconductors have the potential to dramatically extend smartphone battery life, with the possibility of phones needing a charge only once a month.

Wave Photonics, another member of the cohort, completed an initial funding round of £4.5 million for its innovative tool that streamlines the design of intricate photonic chips. Unlike traditional chips that rely on electricity, these chips utilise light, allowing for significantly faster speeds and reduced power consumption. This technology holds the promise of revolutionising numerous industries by facilitating quicker, more energy-efficient communications, enhancing diagnostic tools in healthcare, and boosting data processing capabilities in applications ranging from data centres to autonomous vehicles.

Rodolfo Rosini, Co-Founder and CEO, Vaire Computing said: “As any founder will tell you, building a company in one of the most dynamic technology industries requires a tremendous amount of grit, ingenuity and support.

“The networking opportunities provided by the Silicon Catalyst.UK ChipStart programme enabled us to execute on our vision and helped to set our company on a trajectory for long-term success. I strongly believe that expanding the program’s role in the near term would be extremely beneficial for the UK chip industry.”

James Lee, CEO, Wave Photonics said: “Having raised funding during the programme, Wave Photonics is now deploying its technology to enable an explosion of integrated photonics applications beyond datacoms, including biosensing and quantum computing.

“The ChipStart programme, run by semiconductor industry experts from Silicon Catalyst UK, helped us to learn from the development of the semiconductor industry and apply these lessons to the young, but growing, integrated photonics industry. The individual mentors and in-kind partnerships gave us easy access to expertise and tooling that would be difficult to find elsewhere.”