In a world dominated by technology, India, with a whopping 20% share of global chip designers, surprisingly lacks a robust presence in the international semiconductor market. However, the country is now making significant strides to change this narrative.
A notable player in this movement is BigEndian Semiconductors, a fabless design startup based in Bengaluru, founded in May. Led by CEO Sunil Kumar, an industry veteran with experience at esteemed companies like ARM Broadcom and Intel, BigEndian has a strong founding team with expertise from chipmakers such as Broadcom and Cypress Semiconductors.
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Domestic Demand:
The founding members of BigEndian were inspired to establish the startup when they witnessed a substantial domestic demand for surveillance chips for cameras in India. With approximately 50 million cameras in use annually, generating billions in revenue, the team saw an opportunity to cater to the country’s need for semiconductor solutions. - Government Support:
Encouraged by the incentives provided by the Indian government and the global shift towards diversifying supply chains away from China, BigEndian sets its sights on capitalizing on this momentum.
CEO Sunil Kumar believes that the time is now for India to step up its game in the semiconductor market, as this generation holds the experience necessary to drive the industry forward. The government’s allocation of $9 billion towards the development of local semiconductor and display manufacturing companies further propels this vision, marking a significant leap in India’s technological landscape.
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Strategic Focus:
Setting its sights on surveillance chips initially, BigEndian has partnered with Taiwanese fab company UMC to develop reference chips based on a 28nm node process, with plans to launch in the first quarter of 2025. The startup also envisions expanding its footprint in the IoT market, particularly in the realm of 16- and 32-bit microcontrollers. - Innovative Approach:
One distinguishing feature of BigEndian is its platform-as-a-service model, designed to provide customized software solutions for surveillance cameras. By offering tailor-made options as subscription-based add-ons, the startup aims to revolutionize the industry and circumvent the prevalent Chinese middleware access in surveillance solutions.
As the startup navigates the funding challenges inherent in the Indian market, it has secured $3 million in an equity seed round led by Vertex Ventures SEA and India. While this initial funding might not suffice for mass production, the backing of strategic investors and support from the Indian government are instrumental in propelling BigEndian’s mission forward.
In conclusion, BigEndian Semiconductors has set its sights on not only revolutionizing India’s semiconductor landscape but also making a mark on the global stage. With a strategic focus on surveillance chips and innovative business models, the startup is poised to pave the way for other Indian semiconductor companies to thrive. India’s journey into the semiconductor market is just beginning, and BigEndian is at the forefront of this technological revolution.
