Open-Silicon

Open-Silicon
IndustrySemiconductors, Electronics
Founded2003
FoundersDr. Naveed Sherwani, Dr. Satya Gupta, Scott Houghton
HeadquartersMilpitas, California, USA
ProductsASICs, system-on-a-chip, integrated circuits
Number of employees
400 as of 2013

Open-Silicon is a semiconductor company founded in 2003.

Open-Silicon was acquired by OpenFive in September, 2021.

Corporate history

Open-Silicon was founded in 2003 by Naveed Sherwani, Satya Gupta and Scott Houghton. Initial funding was provided by Sequoia Capital, Norwest Venture Partners, and InterWest Partners.[1] In December 2007 Unicorn Investment Bank acquired 75% of Open-Silicon for $190M, with the rest of the company employee-owned.[2]

In May 2007, Open-Silicon acquired Zenasis Technologies, a maker of processor optimization EDA software.[3] This technology has also been expanded by Open-Silicon to focus on low power design and process variability management.[4]

In 2009 Open-Silicon acquired design services firm Silicon Logic Engineering (SLE). This acquisition has enhanced the company's derivative IC design capabilities.[5] In 2010 the company opened new facilities in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, and Pune, India, to provide additional support for derivative IC design.

In 2012, Open-Silicon acquired and grew substantial design operations in Pakistan and Taiwan.

On August 17, 2020, SiFive acquires Open-Silicon and names it OpenFive, an independent business unit of SiFive.

On Sept. 1, 2022, Canadian semiconductor licensing company Alphawave acquires SiFive’s OpenFive business unit for $210 million.

Products and services

Open-Silicon's business model is called the OpenMODEL.[6]

References

  1. ^ "Open-Silicon Inc. Secures $19.5 Million in Funding". March 29, 2004. Archived from the original on January 30, 2013.
  2. ^ "Bahrain Bank Buys Stake in Open-Silicon". December 24, 2007.
  3. ^ "Open-Silicon Acquires Zenasis Hybrid Optimization Technology". May 7, 2007. Archived from the original on July 30, 2012.
  4. ^ "When an ASIC Vendor Partners with an EDA Vendor: A New Model". November 12, 2008. Archived from the original on July 31, 2012.
  5. ^ "Open-Silicon Acquires Design Services Firm". January 12, 2010.
  6. ^ "Open Silicon thriving and hiring in downturn". January 12, 2009.