Funding is increasingly tight for IC start ups.

If you're in start up mode youself this is merely stating the obvious. In recent times there have been announcements of start ups getting funding (eoSemi and Mirics to name a couple) but deal flow is slowing. The basic problem is that it takes a long time and a (relatively) lot of money before investors can see a return. Add to this the amount of money already tied up with investors and attractive returns available in other sectors and its easy to understand why.

Is it the beginning of the end? Personally speaking I do not think so - modern living is underpinned by semiconductor technologies and driven by innovation so something must happen to change the VC dominant model for fuelling start-ups. There is a way forwards but it requires more of a collaborative approach and more players contributing positional assets such as channel to market. We'll be exploring the way forward at The Future World Symposium on Sept 15th and we're pleased to announce that Malcolm Penn will be chairing the session exploring the possible routes forwards.