Silicon Catalyst Announces Seven Newly Admitted Companies to Semiconductor Industry Accelerator
Silicon Valley, California – November 10, 2026 – Silicon Catalyst today announced that seven companies have joined its semiconductor accelerator. The program supports startups working across Chips, Chiplets, Materials, IP and Silicon fabrication-based Photonics, MEMS, Sensors, Life Science, and Quantum technologies.
Chicago UpDown Computing
Chicago, Illinois
chupdown.com
Andrew Chien, CEO
aachien@chupdown.com
Chicago UpDown Computing is developing specialized chips and software to help computers analyze large networks of connected data. Known as graph computing, this approach can reveal patterns that are difficult to spot when records are examined individually, such as links among transactions that may indicate fraud. A spinout from the University of Chicago, the company aims to help computers uncover those patterns faster, even as the number of records and connections grows.
energHius
Barcelona, Spain
energhius.com
Daniel García, CEO
daniel.garcia@energhius.com
energHius develops ultra-low-power chips that let tiny wireless sensors run without batteries by drawing energy from their surroundings, even from dim indoor light. In buildings, these sensors could track temperature, air quality, or whether doors and windows are open. Removing the need to replace batteries could make sensors easier to maintain across large buildings and in hard-to-reach locations.
Lightspring
Besançon, France
light-spring.com
Grégoire Bonnat, CEO
gb@light-spring.com
Lightspring uses lasers to write tiny three-dimensional pathways that guide light between chips, lasers, and optical fibers. The pathways are designed to reduce signal loss and make assembly easier by allowing more room for slight shifts in component placement. The technology could help manufacturers build optical systems that move data between servers or connect equipment in telecommunications networks.
NuNami
San Jose, California
nunami.net
Syed Enam Rehman, CEO
enam@nunami.net
NuNami develops chips that help businesses monitor and manage how their equipment uses electricity. The chips allow sensitive electronics to measure power use in high-voltage equipment while helping shield the electronics from electrical faults. By giving operators a clearer picture of where and when power is being used, NuNami’s technology can help them make better use of their existing electrical capacity.
PhotonicDx
Champaign, Illinois
Timothy Gustafson, CEO
tim@photonicdx.com
PhotonicDx develops technology that uses light to detect individual molecules in biological samples. That sensitivity could help researchers and clinicians measure disease markers in amounts that some conventional tests miss. The company aims to make highly sensitive testing faster, simpler, and more affordable.
Sofant Technologies
Edinburgh, UK
sofant.com
David Wither, CEO
david.wither@sofant.com
Sofant Technologies develops compact, low-power antennas for satellite communications. The antennas steer their signals electronically, so they can maintain a satellite connection as a vehicle, boat, or aircraft moves, without having to turn the antenna itself. This makes them useful where space and power are limited.
Sparxity
Dresden, Germany
sparxity.ai
Hector Gonzalez, CEO
hector.gonzalez@sparxity.ai
Sparxity (formerly SpiNNcloud) develops computing systems for AI, from the chips to the software that runs on them. Its systems are designed for AI models that activate only the parts they need for each task. By skipping calculations in the unused parts of the model, Sparxity aims to deliver faster responses while using less electricity.
Applications for Silicon Catalyst’s 2027 cohort are open through January 11, 2027.