Startup nation: Semiconductors

 

Uri Frank an Intel Israel veteran is leading Google's IC design

Israel's technology companies are infamous for cyber security, both defense and attack (NSO). There is global awareness for AI, cloud computing and mobile gaming. But in the hardware area there is less press and even less financial investing awareness. Yet, the country boasts two known semiconductor fabs (Intel Israel and Tower Semiconductor). 

Many Israeli semiconductor companies are not immediately visible. These include ASIC designs inside system boards and large system designs. Companies like SatixFy designs modem and antenna devices. These go into their boards and modules. Companies like Hailo designs AI devices, these require a whole software system. Today's popular IC applications like cloud, AI and 5G plug into the ecosystems they serve. In the case of SatixFy, satellite communication is serving remote areas like oceans and remote locations (deserts, forests) and undeveloped locations. Hailo and Intel's Habana Labs plug into the exploding AI ecosystems. 

Intel's fab in Qiryat Gat is the largest fab in Israel. The second largest fab is Tower Semiconductor which Intel also acquired in 2022. The two give Israel a strong semiconductor fabrication position. While European and Asian countries finance fab investments with large system or consumer electronic companies, Israel's investment came from Intel which started with design centers. Tower semiconductor was originally built by National Semiconductor. Through the years, the company acquired fabs in Nishiwaki Japan (Panasonic), San Antonio TX (Maxim, Analog), and Newport Beach California (Rockwell, SiGe, BiCMOS, MEMS). The company gathered a mix of technologies outside the mainstream processes. With strong business connections, Tower has weathered the ups and downs of a volatile industry.