News Release
Innovation Space and Silicon Catalyst Establish Collaboration for Joint Incubation to Fuel Growth of Semiconductor Industry Startups
Wilmington, DE and Silicon Valley, CA, October 3, 2023 - The Innovation Space™ a not-for-profit innovation ecosystem - and one of the nation’s largest for science entrepreneurs - and Silicon Catalyst, the world’s only incubator + accelerator focused on semiconductor solutions, have established a collaboration to co-incubate early-stage science-based enterprises focused on advanced materials and other enabling technologies critical for the semiconductor industry.
Startups and early-stage entrepreneurial teams will have access to the best-in-class science labs, mentorship, and customized programming available from The Innovation Space alongside Silicon Catalyst’s startup development expertise and its comprehensive ecosystem of Strategic Partners, Advisors and In-Kind Partners, providing a unique opportunity to drive business growth.
“The partnership between The Innovation Space and Silicon Catalyst was inspired and catalyzed by the pending transformative changes on the horizon for the semiconductor industry as a result of the bipartisan CHIPS & Science Act that was championed by President Biden,” said Bill Provine, founder, President and CEO of The Innovation Space. “Our new partnership will provide startups with critical resources and support that will build and grow a more vibrant domestic semiconductor innovation ecosystem.”
Silicon Catalyst Co-founder and former CEO Dan Armbrust is one of the original 24 members appointed to the Industrial Advisory Committee (IAC), an advisory body that is providing guidance to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo on a range of issues related to domestic semiconductor research and development in support of the CHIPS & Science Act. In addition, CEO Pete Rodriguez served on the semiconductor working group of the President’s Council of Advisors in Science and Technology (PCAST).
Collectively, this new partnership will present opportunities to startups that leverage the industry-specific expertise of Silicon Catalyst and its powerful semiconductor ecosystem coupled with the state-of-the-art laboratories and scientific infrastructure and the hands-on, mentorship and coaching prowess of The Innovation Space. Startups can now be considered for lab space at The Innovation Space in Wilmington, Delaware and/or with virtual support provided by both entities for startups from anywhere in the world.
“We are very pleased to announce our collaboration with The Innovation Space. Our joint efforts to assist science-based entrepreneurs develop and deliver new technologies for semiconductor materials offers a unique opportunity for our industry,” stated Dr. Atiye Bayman, Silicon Catalyst Partner.
The Innovation Space is a not-for-profit organization and is a virtual and physical innovation ecosystem located in Wilmington, Delaware on the historic grounds of the DuPont Experimental Station campus. It is built from the foundational partnership between the State of Delaware, DuPont, and the University of Delaware and its mission is to catalyze the scientific innovation of entrepreneurs working in the fields of advanced materials, innovative ingredients, agriculture, healthcare, renewables, and advanced manufacturing. Innovation Space has supported more than 100 companies on their trajectory toward commercialization and those companies have raised $1 billion in funding since the founding of Innovation Space in 2017.
Silicon Catalyst is the world's only incubator + accelerator focused on semiconductor solutions, (including Photonics, MEMS, sensors, IP, materials & Life Sciences) to accelerate startups from idea through prototype, and onto a path to volume production.
Silicon Catalyst has developed an unparalleled support ecosystem for its semiconductor start-ups, providing a strong network of financiers, business advisors, and industry professionals who help companies to launch and scale in the market. In addition, the incubator provides privileged access to services, expertise, and intellectual property that can empower their companies’ technological innovation.
About The Innovation Space
The Innovation Space™ - “The home for science entrepreneurs”™
The Innovation Space™ is a not-for-profit innovation ecosystem and is a virtual and physical home for leading science entrepreneurs. The Innovation Space works to “transform science and technology startups into industry leading companies.” Located on the historic Experimental Station campus in Wilmington, Delaware, The Innovation Space is comprised of 130,000 ft2 of state-of-the-art lab and office space with access to cutting edge equipment alongside a suite of entrepreneurship programs and opportunities supporting startup growth. Register for more information and updates to learn more about all The Innovation Space programs and funding opportunities. www.innovationspace.org
About Silicon Catalyst
“It’s about what’s next”
Silicon Catalyst is the world’s only incubator focused exclusively on accelerating semiconductor solutions, built on a comprehensive coalition of in-kind and strategic partners to dramatically reduce the cost and complexity of development. More than 900 startup companies worldwide have engaged with Silicon Catalyst and the company has admitted 97 exciting companies. With a world-class network of mentors to advise startups, Silicon Catalyst is helping new semiconductor companies address the challenges in moving from idea to realization. The incubator + accelerator supplies startups with access to design tools, silicon devices, networking, and a path to funding, banking and marketing acumen to successfully launch and grow their companies’ novel technology solutions. Over the past nine years, the Silicon Catalyst model has proven to dramatically accelerate a startup’s trajectory while at the same time de-risking the equation for investors. Silicon Catalyst has been named the Semiconductor Review’s 2021 Top-10 Solutions Company award winner as well as the 2023 Top Photonics Solutions Provider. The Silicon Catalyst Angels was established in July 2019 as a separate organization to provide access to seed and Series A funding for Silicon Catalyst portfolio companies. SiliconCatalyst.UK. a subsidiary of Silicon Catalyst, was selected by the UK government to manage ChipStart UK, an early stage semiconductor incubator funded by the UK government.