This was the second Silicon Catalyst.UK event we attended. Attendance was now up to 100+ with full semiconductor focus which makes these events so good and effective. It brings together the whole eco-system: from EDA to IP, from fabless to specialty silicon manufacturers. It was a great event with a set of excellent startup pitches as well as a set of industry veterans presenting. For the UK these events are critical to bring the UK’s semiconductor industry back to the level where it belongs. It has the talent, it has the entrepreneurial spirit. It is important to continue and broaden these efforts. It will take time so financing and supporting such events over a longer period of time is key. We are talking a decennia and longer and failures are part of the effort. Too many governments are afraid to “waste” the public taxpayer’s money if there is a failure – it should be made clear that failures are part of the journey and equally valuable as the successes. Only with this approach will you get real and lasting results.
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.