Silicon Catalyst Overview — Headquartered in Silicon Valley … accelerating startups worldwide

Abstract: An overview of Silicon Catalyst and it's ecosystem and how we help Semiconductor Startups Worldwide

Silicon Catalyst is the only incubator + accelerator focused on the Global Semiconductor Industry including Chips, Chiplets, Materials, IP and Silicon fabrication-based Photonics, MEMS, Sensors, Life Science and Quantum.

We have engaged with more than 5,000 semiconductor startups worldwide, thoroughly reviewed over 1,500 and have admitted over 150 exciting companies.  In addition, we operate early-stage incubators in the UK, EU and launching in Japan and Australia. 

Our companies participate in a minimum 24-month customized incubation program. Each is guided closely by a Silicon Catalyst partner. This includes a semiconductor focused curriculum and over 20 events worldwide each year. Silicon Catalyst’s ecosystem provides everything our startups need to design, fabricate, and market semiconductor solutions:

• In-Kind Partners (TSMC, Synopsys, Arm, ST, MathWorks and over 60 more) – provide each startup several millions of dollars’ worth of goods and services including EDA tools, IP, PDKs, prototypes, design and test services, packaging and business solutions. Our companies have received over $200M in in-kind goods and services.

• Strategic Partners (TI, ON Semi, Soitec, Bosch, Cirrus Logic, Arm, ST Micro, Sony, EMD Electronics, NXP, Mayfield, Qnity/DuPont, GlobalFoundries, SMD Semiconductor and Dexerials) – participate in the selection process and actively look for opportunities to partner with our startups.

• Investors – Our partnership with Mayfield and a large group of over 450 VCs, Angels, Angel groups, Corporate VCs, and Family Offices fund each journey. Silicon Catalyst Angels, created in 2019 from our ecosystem, also funds our companies. In February of 2024, Silicon Catalyst Ventures (SCV) was launched to fund early-stage startups accepted into the incubator’s two-year program. SCV has already over 30 investments in Silicon Catalyst Portfolio Companies. Our companies have received over $1B in venture investments.

• Advisors – A valuable network of over 400 industry experts that we match to the specific needs of each startup.

• Universities, Industry Organizations, Accelerators and Government Agencies – We nurture over 500 partner relationships for the benefit of our portfolio companies. Our companies have received over $250M in grants.

Silicon Catalyst’s mission is to help semiconductor startups succeed. Join us in driving innovation!

Bio: 

Pete has over 40 years of experience in the Semiconductor industry. Pete is currently on the advisory boards of Certus Semiconductor and Harvest Management Partners. Pete is also an observer on the boards of Owl Autonomous Imaging, HEPT Lab and WaveWorks. Pete has previously served on the semiconductor working group of the President’s council of advisors in science and technology (PCAST) and on the steering committee of the American Semiconductor Innovation Coalition (ASIC). He led the startup teams for both groups.

Pete was formerly VP & GM of Interface and Power at NXP Semiconductors. Prior to NXP, Pete was CEO of Exar Corporation (NASDAQ), CEO of Xpedion Design Systems (acquired by Agilent), Chief Marketing Officer at Virage Logic (NASDAQ), Major Account Manager at LSI Logic and Program Manager at Aerojet Electronic Systems. He spent twelve years as an entrepreneur with three different startups and has raised over $30 Million in venture capital. He retired from the US Naval Reserves with the rank of Commander. Pete has served on U.S. public, private, UK & EU LTDs, LLC, Venture Fund, advisory and non-profit boards of directors.

He is a graduate in strategy and policy of the Naval War College. Pete has an MBA from Pepperdine University, an MSEE from Cal Poly Pomona where he was inducted in the engineering hall of fame, and a BS in Chemical Engineering from the California Institute of Technology.