do you work with startups

**Yes! We love working with startups** and have **helped over 500 startups bring their first chips to market** with flexible terms, technical mentorship, and startup-friendly pricing programs designed to support innovation from concept to production. **Why Startups Choose Chip Foundry Services** **Startup-Friendly Approach**: - **Flexible Payment Terms**: Extended payment schedules aligned with funding milestones - **Reduced Minimum Orders**: MPW access with as few as 5 wafers for prototyping - **Technical Mentorship**: Experienced engineers guide first-time chip designers - **Risk Mitigation**: Phased approach with go/no-go decision points - **Fast Turnaround**: 6-12 weeks for prototyping to accelerate time-to-market **Startup Success Program** **Eligibility**: - **Funding Stage**: Pre-seed, seed, Series A, or Series B - **First Chip**: First or second tape-out (limited production experience) - **Innovation Focus**: Novel technology, unique application, or disruptive approach - **Growth Potential**: Clear path to volume production and market adoption **Program Benefits**: - **20% Design Services Discount**: Reduced NRE for RTL, verification, physical design - **Flexible Payment**: Pay in milestones aligned with funding rounds - **Technical Advisory**: Monthly meetings with senior engineers for guidance - **Fast-Track Access**: Priority scheduling for prototyping runs - **Marketing Support**: Case study, press release, conference presentation opportunities - **Investor Introductions**: Connect with our VC network for funding opportunities **Program Requirements**: - **Equity Option**: 0.5-2% equity or revenue share (negotiable) - **Case Study**: Allow us to publish success story (with approval) - **Reference**: Serve as reference customer for similar startups - **Collaboration**: Participate in technology development feedback **Startup Service Packages** **Concept Validation Package ($25K-$50K)**: - **Feasibility Study**: Technical assessment of chip concept - **Architecture Definition**: High-level block diagram and specifications - **Technology Selection**: Process node, IP requirements, packaging recommendations - **Cost Estimation**: Detailed NRE and production cost projections - **Timeline**: 4-6 weeks - **Deliverables**: Technical report, architecture document, project proposal - **Best For**: Pre-seed startups validating chip feasibility for investors **Prototype Development Package ($150K-$400K)**: - **RTL Design**: Complete Verilog/VHDL implementation - **Verification**: Testbench, simulation, functional verification - **Physical Design**: Synthesis, place-and-route, timing closure - **Tape-Out**: GDSII, DRC/LVS, mask data preparation - **Fabrication**: 25 wafers (MPW or dedicated run) - **Packaging**: 500-1,000 packaged units - **Testing**: Wafer sort, final test, basic characterization - **Timeline**: 9-15 months - **Best For**: Seed to Series A startups building first prototype **Production Ramp Package ($500K-$2M)**: - **Design Optimization**: Performance, power, area optimization for production - **DFM/DFT**: Manufacturing and test optimization for yield - **Qualification**: Reliability testing, characterization, datasheet development - **Production Setup**: Volume manufacturing, supply chain, quality systems - **Initial Production**: 100-500 wafers, 50K-250K units - **Timeline**: 12-18 months - **Best For**: Series A/B startups ramping to production **Common Startup Challenges We Solve** **Limited Budget**: - **Solution**: MPW programs share mask costs (5-10× cheaper than dedicated masks) - **Example**: $50K MPW vs $500K dedicated masks for 28nm prototype - **Benefit**: Validate technology before major investment **First-Time Tape-Out Risk**: - **Solution**: Experienced team reviews design at every stage - **Example**: DFM review catches 50+ potential yield issues before tape-out - **Benefit**: 95%+ first-silicon success rate vs 60-70% industry average **Uncertain Volume Projections**: - **Solution**: Scalable approach from prototyping to volume production - **Example**: Start with 25 wafers, scale to 100, then 1,000+ as demand grows - **Benefit**: No long-term commitments, pay as you grow **Cash Flow Constraints**: - **Solution**: Milestone-based payments aligned with funding events - **Example**: 20% at contract, 30% at Series A close, 30% at tape-out, 20% at delivery - **Benefit**: Manage cash burn while maintaining project momentum **Limited Technical Expertise**: - **Solution**: Technical advisory and mentorship from senior engineers - **Example**: Monthly design reviews, architecture guidance, technology selection - **Benefit**: Avoid costly mistakes, accelerate learning curve **Startup Success Stories** **AI Accelerator Startup (Series A)**: - **Challenge**: First chip, complex 28nm design, limited team (3 engineers) - **Solution**: Full design services, technical mentorship, MPW prototyping - **Result**: Successful tape-out in 14 months, 95% functional, raised Series B - **Production**: Now shipping 50K units/quarter at volume pricing **IoT Sensor Startup (Seed)**: - **Challenge**: Ultra-low-power design, tight budget ($200K total) - **Solution**: 180nm process, shared design resources, MPW program - **Result**: Working prototype in 10 months, $180K total cost, 1,000 units delivered - **Production**: Scaled to 100K units/year, acquired by Fortune 500 company **Power Management Startup (Series B)**: - **Challenge**: High-voltage BCD process, automotive qualification needed - **Solution**: 180nm BCD, full AEC-Q100 qualification, production ramp support - **Result**: Qualified product in 18 months, now shipping 500K units/year - **Production**: $50M annual revenue, IPO in progress **Medical Device Startup (Series A)**: - **Challenge**: Mixed-signal ASIC, ISO 13485 compliance, low volume (5K/year) - **Solution**: 130nm process, medical-grade packaging, full qualification - **Result**: FDA-cleared device in 20 months, successful market launch - **Production**: Growing 50% year-over-year, expanding product line **Startup Resources We Provide** **Technical Resources**: - **Design Tools**: Access to Synopsys, Cadence tools through our licenses - **IP Libraries**: Standard cell libraries, I/O libraries, memory compilers included - **Training**: Free training on design tools, methodologies, best practices - **Documentation**: Templates, guidelines, checklists for first-time designers **Business Resources**: - **Cost Modeling**: Detailed cost models for business planning and fundraising - **Investor Materials**: Technical slides, feasibility reports for pitch decks - **Market Analysis**: Industry insights, competitive analysis, market sizing - **Partner Introductions**: Connect with packaging, testing, distribution partners **Funding Support**: - **VC Introductions**: Warm introductions to semiconductor-focused VCs - **Grant Assistance**: Help with SBIR/STTR, government grants, R&D tax credits - **Investor Events**: Invite to demo days, investor showcases, industry events - **Due Diligence**: Support technical due diligence for funding rounds **Startup-Friendly Terms** **Payment Flexibility**: - **Milestone-Based**: Pay as you achieve development milestones - **Funding-Aligned**: Payment schedule aligned with funding round closings - **Extended Terms**: 90-120 day payment terms vs standard 30 days - **Deferred Payment**: Option to defer portion of NRE until production revenue **Volume Flexibility**: - **No Minimum Commitments**: No long-term volume commitments required - **Scalable Pricing**: Volume discounts kick in as you grow - **Inventory Management**: We can hold inventory and ship as needed - **Forecast Flexibility**: Change forecasts monthly without penalties **IP Protection**: - **Customer Owns IP**: All custom IP developed belongs to customer - **NDA Protection**: Strict confidentiality for your technology - **Clean Room**: Isolated design environment for your project - **No Reuse**: We don't reuse your IP for other customers **How Startups Get Started** **Step 1 - Initial Contact**: - Email: [email protected] - Phone: +1 (408) 555-0150 (Startup Program Hotline) - Include: Pitch deck, technical overview, funding status **Step 2 - Qualification Call (30 minutes)**: - Discuss your chip concept and business model - Review funding status and timeline - Assess program eligibility - Answer your questions **Step 3 - Technical Review (1-2 hours)**: - Deep dive into technical requirements - Architecture discussion and recommendations - Technology selection and feasibility - Cost and timeline estimation **Step 4 - Proposal (48 hours)**: - Detailed technical proposal - Startup program pricing and terms - Payment schedule options - Next steps and timeline **Step 5 - Agreement & Kickoff**: - Execute NDA and service agreement - Assign dedicated team - Project kickoff meeting - Begin execution **Startup Program Contact** **Dedicated Startup Team**: - **Email**: [email protected] - **Phone**: +1 (408) 555-0150 - **Website**: www.chipfoundryservices.com/startups - **Office Hours**: Monday-Friday, 8 AM - 6 PM PST **Application**: - Submit startup program application online - Include pitch deck and technical overview - Response within 48 hours - Fast-track review for qualified startups Chip Foundry Services is **committed to startup success** — we've helped hundreds of startups bring innovative chips to market, and we're ready to help you too with flexible terms, expert guidance, and startup-friendly pricing!