Cadence offers IC design program for start-ups in Australia

SAN JOSE, USA: Cadence Design Systems Inc. has launched a business incubation program for Australian integrated circuit (IC) start-ups designed to enhance the region's entrepreneurial environment.

By providing industry-leading EDA solutions, this unique program will help remove some of the barriers to entry that new IC design companies face in the marketplace. Since many Australian design firms focus on mixed-signal design, the IC program for start-ups aligns with Cadence technology strengths, while encouraging and supporting the expansion of the IC design and semiconductor industry in Australia.

"Being part of the program has enabled us to focus on designing our chip at a low burn rate, which is critical for a start-up," said Pat Kelly, CEO of Nitero, a fabless semiconductor company that is working on next-generation 60 GHz WI-Fi solutions for portable platforms. "Accessing leading-edge Cadence EDA technology and solutions has provided us with a unique advantage in the marketplace."

The Cadence IC design program offers small and medium enterprises access to the Cadence suites of analog, custom, digital and PCB/package/board design software, as well as Internet training. The program is available through NICTA, Australia's Information and Communications Technology Research Centre of Excellence.

"Cadence has supported programs around the world to foster innovation in the semiconductor industry," said Pankaj Mayor, VP of Marketing, Cadence. "Collaborating with the leading technology research organization in Australia demonstrates our commitment to both providing proven EDA resources to startups and to helping grow the Australian IC industry."

"This program, which supports the growth of small and medium businesses through technology and business development, is an excellent example of industry, government and academic cooperation," said Paul Hoff, director of technology transfer, NICTA.

NICTA is funded by the Australian Federal and State Governments and universities to develop technologies that generate economic, social and environmental benefits for Australia. NICTA collaborates with industry on joint projects, creates new companies, and provides new talent to the ICT sector through a NICTA-enhanced Ph.D. program. With five laboratories around Australia and over 700 people, NICTA is the largest organization in Australia dedicated to ICT research.