Attending the Canadian Semiconductor Council Summit in Ottawa (Tuesday, February 6th) was an excellent opportunity to participate in a focused discussion on Canada’s current and future semiconductor strategy. Not only was the discussion open and bringing in the key representatives from the relevant players present in Canada but there was also direct participation of key government officials. This direct coupling of discussion and (government-supported) execution made the Summit a unique event, superbly managed and led by Paul Slaby and his team.
Building on Canada’s rich semiconductor history (who does not remember ATI, Newbridge, and Mitel to name a few), Canada today is focusing on growing its role in the semiconductor supply chain for EVs. The important role of Canada in this supply chain, ranging from power electronics to batteries, is highlighted by some of the key players choosing Canada for major parts of their operations. Infineon choosing Ottawa as its center of excellence for power electronics is a good example of a major player in the automotive semiconductor market choosing Canada as a key location for its activities. Research, development, and production of key components using the latest technologies such as GaN and SiC is going to be strategic to maintain and grow current market positions.
The TD Shepherd team is happy to congratulate the Qualinx B.V. team on successfully raising €20 million from Dutch investors. TD Shepherd has provided strategic support to Qualinx over the years (starting in 2018), witnessing each step of their journey; their growth and success, makes us truly proud of their outstanding achievements.
If there’s one thing we’ve learned about surviving the Valley of Death in deep tech, it’s this: don’t go it alone. This stage is all about leveraging relationships, and corporate partnerships can be your most valuable lifeline. The key is to think beyond customers.
The so-called “Valley of Death” in deep tech isn’t just about running out of cash—it’s about navigating a period where expectations clash with reality. Investors want to see traction, but your tech isn’t market-ready. Customers are intrigued, but they’re not ready to commit. And your R&D costs? They’re still burning through cash like it’s a bonfire.