The semiconductor industry has been racing forward since its very start in the 70ies. Today, demand is surging from sectors like AI, automotive, and IoT, and the market itself is on track to break $700 billion barrier by the end of 2025 (Source: WSTS). Yet, this rapid growth comes with its own set of challenges—ones that many startups find difficult to tackle alone. Semiconductor innovation requires navigating a complex maze of high costs, lengthy development and qualification paths, detailed technical specifications, and, of course, the right market timing. For startups that seek to lead in their space, external expertise isn’t just helpful; it is almost always essential.
The first hurdle for many deep-tech startups is translating groundbreaking ideas from the lab into viable products. As a startup you might have developed a ground-breaking circuit which outperforms existing approaches. Getting it patented is key but that is just the beginning. How do you get from a circuit to a product? Many variables need to be considered and those are just the variables related to the step between a circuit and a product (and the corresponding business model). But designing the right product is foremost a question of the market segment(s) and customers you are targeting.
This is where partnerships and advisory support come in. Working with experts in semiconductor manufacturing, supply chains, and market positioning offers startups not only technical support but also strategic guidance. It allows them to harness outside knowledge, experience and infrastructure to bring their technology to scale efficiently.
The complexity of semiconductor manufacturing demands specific skills and insights that are hard to build internally, especially for young companies. External advisors—whether in process, design, EDA tools, or IP protection—bring a wealth of experience that can help avoid costly mistakes. For instance, choosing the right fabrication process early on can affect a chip’s efficiency, compatibility, and cost-effectiveness for years to come.
Investors are particularly drawn to startups with credible, experienced advisors or partners. This collaboration can signal to investors that the startup is not just a speculative venture but one with a clear path to commercialization, equipped to overcome known industry challenges.
Semiconductor development involves high stakes, with R&D costs alone sometimes requiring millions before a prototype even reaches the market. Without external advisors who understand the terrain, startups risk burning through precious resources on avoidable pitfalls—like inefficiencies in design or missed regulatory steps.
Consider the dynamics of intellectual property in semiconductor innovation. With deep-tech patents on the rise, having a team with patent and IP management experience can be critical. External expertise in IP strategy helps to ensure that innovations are well-protected and aligned with long-term business goals, preventing competitors from gaining an edge through overlooked legalities.
Even once a semiconductor product is ready, finding the right entry points in a competitive global market is a challenge. Strategic advisors and external partners often provide more than just technical advice—they bring valuable networks in distribution, manufacturing, and sales. These connections open doors that many startups can’t access independently, accelerating time-to-market and helping position new products competitively from day one.
For instance, some partners may have longstanding relationships with foundries or distributors that can fast-track production or secure favorable terms. Others may help navigate government regulations, particularly in regions with stringent import/export controls.
For startups in semiconductors, innovation alone isn’t enough to overcome industry challenges. External expertise provides more than technical know-how—it’s a resource that supports resilience, allowing startups to focus on their core innovations while leaning on trusted advisors for everything from risk management to market positioning. In a field as demanding as semiconductors, those who collaborate wisely position themselves not only to survive but to lead in this fast-evolving landscape.
When stakes are high and paths to success are narrow, it’s the combination of innovation and informed strategy that turns vision into reality. For semiconductor startups, that informed strategy often begins with the right partnerships and expert guidance.
“Crafted with a mix of human creativity and AI-powered refinement!”
Many founders underestimate how different deep tech fundraising really is. Deep tech funding rounds don’t follow the same rules as software funding rounds. These rounds take more time, they are larger, and are validation-driven due to long-lasting R&D cycles and capital intensity. Imagine that each round answers the question, then what question would it be?
Early exits are named as such because the exit constitutes an interruption of the regular venture path. There are several paths to an early exit, some organized, some happen by coincidence. For startups, it is important to have a clear focus on the path forward and, based on the technology and product it is developing, to understand the startup’s value path.
TD Shepherd congratulates Keiron Printing Technologies on successful raising Series A round led by Invest-NL. Keiron Printing Technologies B.V. (Eindhoven) commercializes a laser-induced forward transfer (LIFT) platform for solder paste deposition in electronics assembly.