Vic Kulkarni

Micron’s team delivered a record revenue quarter for our fiscal Q1, which represented an 84% increase from our year-ago revenue results. Our data center revenue reached a record high, making up more than half of our revenue for the first time, with revenue growing 400% year-over-year. Our shipments of HBM — a critical product for #AI data center servers — were ahead of plan and we doubled HBM revenue from the previous quarter. Customer inventory reductions in consumer-oriented segments and seasonality are slowing near-term bit shipment estimates. That said, we expect this adjustment period to be relatively brief and anticipate customer inventories reaching healthier levels by spring, enabling stronger bit shipments in the second half of fiscal and calendar 2025. Longer term, we see particularly robust growth ahead for HBM, with the total addressable market growing from $16 billion in 2024 to greater than $100 billion in 2030 (bigger than the entire combined DRAM/HBM market today). We continue to apply our technology leadership to create leading-edge products — from high-capacity server modules to SSDs, low-power DRAM and mobile memory — that address the high-growth segments of multiple markets, putting Micron in the strongest competitive position in our 46-year history.

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Mivium, Inc., led by CEO Eric Tsai, is pioneering a new wave in semiconductor technology with gallium nitride (GaN), a material poised to replace silicon in a variety of applications. GaN not only increases efficiency but also reduces energy consumption in devices, a benefit that’s especially valuable as AI and data centers grow in demand. “Our process keeps our production output clean, and we don’t use toxic materials,” Eric explained. This shift addresses the environmental and health issues plaguing traditional semiconductor production. The company’s unique GaN production technique offers substantial benefits, from fast-switching properties to downsized device components. “GaN has a fast-switching property... and it can perform double as fast and better,” Eric said, adding that it’s currently being used in chargers, with plans to expand into data centers where it can dramatically cut energy usage. These advantages make Mivium’s gallium nitride a significant contender in the drive toward sustainable tech. In a promising move for both the business and potential investors, Mivium is raising capital through a regulated investment crowdfunding campaign on Equifund. This approach allows everyday investors to support groundbreaking tech, which Eric himself champions as a crowdfunding advocate. By sharing Mivium’s journey with the public, he aims to democratize early-stage investment opportunities, giving people a chance to invest in future tech with high social and environmental value. As Mivium’s crowdfunding progresses, it may inspire tech enthusiasts and impact investors alike to support a cleaner, more efficient semiconductor future. http://s4g.biz/14nov24 #ImpactCrowdfunding #DiverseFounders #SocialEntrepreneurs #CommunityCapital #ImpactInvestors #RIC #InvestmentCrowdfunding #SuperCrowd

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The coordination of semiconductor subsidies between the European Union and the United States is crucial to avoid duplicating efforts and maximize industry innovation. Through the European Chips Act and U.S. Chips Act, significant public funds are being invested to enhance semiconductor capabilities and reshore manufacturing activities. Imec, a leading microchips research center, highlights the necessity for synchronized and coordinated research and development efforts across continents to ensure efficient use of resources and technological advancements. #imec #chip #cooperation #coordination #technology #semiconductor #innovation #research #microchip #semiconductors #semiconductormanufacturing #EU #USA #ChipsAct https://lnkd.in/dZ3SZvMd

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Another innovative American semiconductor customer benefiting from our yieldHUB system. Re automation: "We needed to minimize and remove the low-value, low-impact work from our engineers."

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Peraso's FWA 60GHz technology makes inroads into the transportation market. Since it is in the Unlicensed Spectrum (no cost to use the wireless spectrum), it allows this huge market to move forward cost effectively. Since this is a high volume market, the use of a Licensed Spectrum solution would be a huge impact on ROI over time.

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🚀 Innovation meets defense! 🛡️ Palmer Luckey, the mastermind behind Oculus VR and Anduril, dives into the critical realm of defense technology. 💥 Highlighting the historical ties between Silicon Valley and defense contracts, Luckey stresses the urgency for the US to stay ahead in defense innovation. 🇺🇸 Falling behind is not an option! ⏳ Investing in cutting-edge weapons and strategic planning is key to deterring conflicts and safeguarding national security. 🔒 Let's join forces to tackle security challenges head-on and pave the way for a secure future. 💪 #DefenseInnovation #NationalSecurity #InnovationLeadership

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Tech Thought #1 Innovations Beyond HBM in Memory Technology Exciting advancements are on the horizon beyond HBM in memory technology. HBM3 is poised to elevate bandwidth and capacity for demanding applications, while Memory-Class Storage (MCS) merges memory and storage features for enhanced speed and capacity. Persistent Memory (PMEM) offers a blend of DRAM-like performance and storage durability, propelling innovation in data processing efficiency. Furthermore, breakthroughs in 3D integration, like 3D NAND and 3D DRAM, promise heightened storage density and performance. Neuromorphic memory, inspired by neural networks, and Quantum memory, harnessing quantum states, hold the potential to revolutionize speed and capacity in memory technology. Reconfigurable memory architectures are also set to adapt to diverse workloads, optimizing performance across various applications. These advancements collectively mark a significant leap forward in memory technology, paving the way for a future that goes beyond the capabilities of HBM. #MemoryArchitecture #3DMemories #HBM #SpintronicsAI

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Good interview with Eddie Ramirez on how Arm is helping to democratize chiplet-based design with platforms like #Arm #Neoverse CSS, and initiatives like Arm Total Design, which is now over 30 partners strong. https://lnkd.in/geVb4RQ3

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HBM (High-Bandwidth Memory), which is based on DRAM products, is a crucial building block for data centers. The following article addresses some complex issues in building such products. https://lnkd.in/gSYcAxuN

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🚨Great article on Teledyne's new products for the Space & Defense markets. 📻Of special note is the UHF to S-band low-noise amplifier. If SWaP-C is a challenge, you'll want to dive in headfirst on this one. https://lnkd.in/gQh77EnN

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The global investor community has been captivated by the rise of AI, leading to a proliferation of AI startups in recent years. As of our latest count, there are around 200-210 hardware companies focused on AI applications worldwide. However, the challenge remains in distinguishing which of these companies will successfully commercialize their technology and which will remain "great ideas that never came to fruition." In my view, the key element determining success or failure is talent. Developing silicon is tough, and creating chips for AI-centric workloads is even tougher. AI hardware demands deep knowledge in mathematics, computer science, and electrical engineering. Companies often struggle to build teams with the right mix of hardware, software, algorithm, sales, and marketing skills to not only bring their products to life but also sell them to customers who may still be skeptical about AI transformation. This is why I’ve been impressed by the success of Canadian AI hardware startups like Tenstorrent and Untether AI. These companies have assembled world-class teams, developed industry-leading solutions, and successfully brought their chips to market. For years, I’ve believed that Canada is a "sleeping giant" in terms of having world-class talent that many in the global community underestimate. Tenstorrent and Untether AI are winning because they’ve harnessed the human capital available in cities like Toronto. This reminds me of a conversation I had with Hugh Chow, CEO of Canada’s premier startup accelerator ventureLAB when Hugh highlighted that Canada has long been a key player in AI development. Canadian Machine Learning expert Geoffrey Hinton’s seminal research laid much of the groundwork for the innovations we see today. Cities like Toronto have a unique mix of hardware and software talent and offer various career opportunities at startups and established companies, creating a virtuous cycle that attracts even more talent. Hugh and his team at ventureLAB are passionate about the potential of AI to transform sectors like medical tech, drones, education, and elder care which is why they work closely with startup founders such as Niraj Mathur, COO of Blumind, to help them secure the funding and talent needed to strengthen their companies. I encourage you to listen to Hugh’s perspective about why Canada is a formidable region for AI startups. Consider it an “appetizer” because tomorrow I’ll be broadcasting LIVE from ventureLAB’s headquarters in Toronto where you can hear the rest of Hugh’s insights as the “main course”. Check the event link in the comments and I hope to see you there! #semiconductorindustry #startups #artificialintelligence

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INFICON is an AI native company. Why? When you measure, you have data and when you measure with sophisticated sensors you have lots and lots of data. To understand what is going on, you need to understand the data and break it down. We started to drive machine learning and data analytics with the start of the FabGuard product line 25 years ago and now more than ever this is a gamechanging capability of INFICON. Proud of our progress especially in recent years. We have exciting times ahead as we keep pushing forward with AI and innovation! 🚀💡   #INFICON #DataScience #AI #SmartManufacturing #Semiconductors #Innovation #IntelligentSensorSolutions

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We’re one day into DAC, and there have already been announcements that will shape the future of semiconductor design. One startup that I've followed closely for two years shared groundbreaking news that promises to revolutionize chip development and democratize accessibility to chiplets. Baya Systems emerged from stealth mode last week, and CEO and co-founder Sailesh Kumar has done a remarkable job of staying under the radar since founding the company, choosing the perfect moment to unveil updates. Baya revealed not only WHAT they’re working on but also HOW they plan to tackle some of the most pressing challenges faced by SoC architects and designers, and it’s inspiring. The complexity of system design, high costs, and long time-to-market for advanced SoCs often means that a chip can be nearly obsolete by the time it reaches customers. The rapid pace of innovation, especially in AI chips, creates an unforgiving environment where promising startups might only have one shot at success. Baya’s solutions, WeaverPro and WeaveIP, aim to accelerate the design and performance of complex single-die and multi-die SoCs and chiplets. By leveraging a software-centric architecture, Baya simplifies development and accelerates data movement between chiplets and dies. This approach reduces the overall costs associated with advanced AI and CPU acceleration and speeds up time-to-market. WeaverPro and WeaveIP have already received the best kind of acclaim, customer adoption, and Baya announced this week that chiplet technology advocate Tenstorrent will license their WeaveIP fabric to scale their AI and RISC-V chiplet solutions. Chip design icon Jim Keller, who sits on Baya’s Advisory Board, praised the company, saying: “Baya makes great, comprehensive fabric tools that start with top-level architecture and allow us to plan at a detailed level… this, coupled with their visualization tools, enables designers to build next-generation chips, chiplets, and IP.” Adding to their momentum, Baya announced a partnership with Blue Cheetah Analog Design, Inc. yesterday at DAC and introduced a combined chiplet-optimized Network on Chip and PHY interconnect IP solution that simplifies the design and architecture of chiplet-based systems. Sailesh said, “In partnership, we provide system architects with a state-of-the-art platform and powerful tools to create the most innovative and cost-effective chiplet-based products.”   I've mentioned before that enabling development is key to unlocking the door to innovation. For founders without deep pockets or connections to investors, gaining access to better tools and proven intellectual property allows them to move faster and at a lower cost, ultimately helping to bring new designs to life. I’m impressed that Baya, a small yet mighty startup, has created this accessibility and fostered partnerships to help proliferate it. My encouragement to the community - watch them closely. #semiconductorindustry #ai #chiplets

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The legal battle between Arm and Qualcomm kicked off this week, with both sides presenting their arguments. Arm alleges Qualcomm breached its licensing agreement by using Nuvia's chip designs without paying higher royalties, while Qualcomm counters that Arm is overreaching and seeking to stifle competition. Arm maintains that its actions are necessary to protect its business model and ensure fair licensing practices. The outcome of this case will have significant implications for the future of the semiconductor industry and the relationship between chip designers and technology licensors. The Arm-Qualcomm legal battle kicked off this week with both sides presenting their arguments. Arm accuses Qualcomm of breaching its licensing agreement by using Nuvia's designs without paying higher royalties. Qualcomm counters that its existing license covers Nuvia's technology and alleges Arm is seeking to disrupt Qualcomm's business by entering the chip market itself. Arm contends that Qualcomm's actions could severely impact its revenue, while Qualcomm argues that Arm's actions are misleading and intended to stifle competition. The outcome of this case will have significant implications for the semiconductor industry, particularly regarding intellectual property rights and the relationship between technology licensors and their customers. #Arm #Qualcomm #TechGiants #lawsuit #licensing #chips #semiconductor #semiconductors #semiconductorindustry #semiconductormanufacturing #IP #innovation #technology #technologynews

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The Silicon Kingdom's Crisis: A Call for a Semiconductor Revolution As we witness the rise of TSMC's 'Silicon Kingdom', controlling 56% of the global foundry market and over 90% of cutting-edge processes below 5nm, the semiconductor industry faces a critical juncture. This dominance, coupled with Taiwan's geopolitical instability, poses significant risks to global tech innovation and security. While semiconductor demand soars, driven by AI and high-performance computing, our over-reliance on a single company in an unstable region threatens innovation and economic growth. The 2021 chip shortage was a stark reminder of this vulnerability. Samsung Electronics and Intel, once formidable competitors, now struggle to keep pace. Both face technical challenges and disappointed shareholders, with stock prices reflecting these difficulties. However, a game-changing development has emerged: Intel plans to spin out its foundry business. This move aligns perfectly with my proposed paradigm shift - a joint venture between Samsung Electronics and Intel Foundry's businesses. By combining Samsung's advanced process technology with Intel's design capabilities and newly independent foundry, they could create a powerful TSMC competitor. This venture would diversify production geographically, mitigate geopolitical risks, and provide a neutral alternative for customers. The venture could also become a collaboration platform across the tech ecosystem, potentially partnering with NVIDIA, Google, and Apple to strengthen its position further. Challenges lie ahead – from cultural integration to regulatory approvals. But these obstacles also present opportunities for innovation and synergy. The ball is now in the court of Samsung's Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Intel's CEO Pat Gelsinger. We urge these leaders to seize this moment and make the bold decisions necessary to reshape the semiconductor landscape. This isn't just about corporate success; it's about securing the future of global technology and innovation. The proposed Samsung-Intel joint venture could be the key to unlocking a new era in semiconductor production and ensuring a stable foundation for our AI-driven future. Read my in-depth analysis here: https://lnkd.in/gtFQHR9N What are your thoughts on this potential collaboration? How can we ensure a more stable and innovative semiconductor industry? #Semiconductors #TechInnovation #GlobalSupplyChain #AI #FutureOfTech

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Efficient Power Conversion Corp (EPC), headquartered in El Segundo, CA, specializes in gallium nitride on silicon (eGaN) power FETs and integrated circuits for power management applications, with recent validation of their GaN intellectual property rights by the US International Trade Commission (ITC). The ITC upheld EPC's patents and found Innoscience Technology Co Ltd guilty of infringing EPC’s foundational patent, potentially leading to a ban on importing their products into the USA. This ruling is a significant validation of nearly two decades of EPC's hard work and research, reflecting the importance of their intellectual property portfolio. The ITC's final determination is expected on November 5. Innoscience EPC - Efficient Power Conversion #semiconductor #intellectualproperty #industry #lawsuit #technology #GaN https://lnkd.in/di792VMW

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with the huge focus of India on Semiconductor manufacturing and the investments done in that direction, the fabs are expected to ramp in the very near future. one aspect that all these fabs would need is to have cycle times which are fiercely competitive, quality which tends to sub PPM level, especially for Automotive and should keep an eye on carbon emission. in all of this, digitization and automation will play a key role by driving the fabs towards lean manufacturing and ensure reduction of waste,thereby striving towards 'green' manufacturing. Emertal with the expertise in digital solutions for manufacturing will be a great partner for the upcoming fabs to ensure early deployment of digital solutions in their pilot lines to reap benefits in production.... #Emertal #semiconductor #Fab #manufacturing

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