2024-10-19
The first batch of winners from the IC Taiwan Grand Challenge, hosted by the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), has been revealed. The selected startups include Quinas Technology (UK) with III-V compound semiconductor technology. Newsight Imaging (Israel) with cutting-edge image sensor chips, GalaVerse (USA) with high-efficiency remote processing sensing chips, Ranictek (Taiwan) with advanced high-performance transmission chips, Polaris Electro-Optics (USA) with groundbreaking silicon photonics solutions, and Voltraware Semiconductor (Taiwan) with mid-range wireless charging technology. These innovations, showcased at the Taiwan Innotech Expo (TIE), are geared to accelerate breakthroughs in communication, autonomous driving, industrial automation, and robotics across Taiwan's industrial landscape.
Meet the Six Groundbreaking Startups
Each of the six selected startups brings unique and transformative technology to the table. Quinas Technology has developed the innovative ULTRARAM™, a memory solution that combines the speed of DRAM with the non-volatile characteristics of NAND flash memory. This cutting-edge technology is expected to play a pivotal role in AI, quantum computing, defense, and space exploration. Newsight Imaging specializes in CMOS image sensor chips, utilizing high-sensitivity pixel technology, which is being applied in robotics, the automotive industry, mobile depth-sensing cameras, AR/VR, and Industry 4.0.
GalaVerse USA is behind the development of an advanced AI-powered next-generation WiFi/B5G/6G sensing chip, which has applications in indoor navigation, smart home automation, and security systems. Ranictek has designed a baseband chip for 5G/6G O-RAN base stations and satellite communications, not-ed for its cost-efficiency and low power consumption. This innovation not only reduces energy use but also slashes R&D and production costs for base stations, contributing to energy savings and carbon reduction efforts.
Polaris Electro-Optics is breaking new ground with its proprietary Ferroelectric Nematic Liquid Crystal (FNC) technology for optoelectronic materials. Their work supports the development of high-speed transmission and high-performance silicon photonics IC solutions. Lastly, Voltraware Semiconductor has introduced a powerful 150W/15cm wireless charging solution that increases energy efficiency and speeds up charging. This technology has promising applications in electric motocycle and bike, consumer electronics, and robotics.
Second Batch of IC Taiwan Grand Challenge Now Open
The second batch of the IC Taiwan Grand Challenge kicked off on September 4 and is open for submissions until January 31, 2025. Startups, both domestic and international, are encouraged to apply. Winning teams will not only receive a land-ing grant of USD 30,000 from the NSTC but will also have opportunities to collabo-rate with Taiwanese manufacturers and businesses to explore new markets. In ad-dition, they will gain access to mentoring from senior semiconductor industry ex-perts, professional venture capital guidance, and potential equity-based funding.
The NSTC remains committed to leveraging Taiwan's semiconductor industry ecosystem, using this competition to foster the global development of innovative IC applications, driving industrial transformation, and promoting integration into international markets.
Media Contact：
Hung-Wen Kao
Section Chief
Department of Academia-Industry Collaboration and Science Park Affairs
National Science and Technology Council
Tel: +886 (2)27377227
Minister Wu of the National Science and Technology Council (in the middle) presented awards to six winning startups of the IC Taiwan Grand Challenge.
The winning startups of the IC Taiwan Grand Challenge took a group photo with Vice Minister Su (the 7th from left side).
Source： National Science and Technology Council
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