In a strategic move to strengthen India’s semiconductor design ecosystem, Bengaluru-based SmartSoC Solutions has partnered with the ChipIN Centre at the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC). The collaboration is aimed at supporting startups registered under the government’s Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme, offering them critical access to post-silicon validation labs, foundry services, and technical expertise to accelerate chip development.
The partnership will help startups and MSMEs overcome major roadblocks such as high fabrication costs, limited access to testing facilities, and engineering resource constraints—issues that often delay the journey from chip design to production.
Bridging Design and Deployment for Emerging Chipmakers
SmartSoC will provide post-silicon validation services to verify and benchmark prototype chips for functionality and performance. The company will also facilitate access to multiple semiconductor foundries, giving startups flexibility in selecting manufacturing partners based on technology, cost, and scale requirements.
Bharath Desareddy, CEO of SmartSoC Solutions, said:
“We understand the challenges of moving from design to functional silicon. Our goal is to be a one-stop partner guiding startups through real-world complexities, helping them reduce time-to-market while ensuring commercial viability.”
Through this partnership, DLI-registered startups will gain access to expert guidance on SoC design, verification, and product engineering, further enabling India’s ambitions to become a global semiconductor hub.
Strengthening India’s Semiconductor Mission
The initiative aligns closely with the government’s India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) and Atmanirbhar Bharat objectives to achieve technological self-reliance in chip manufacturing. By providing infrastructure, mentorship, and validation resources at minimal or no cost, the collaboration aims to lower the entry barriers for early-stage chip startups.
E. Magesh, Director General of CDAC, welcomed the initiative, saying:
“This reinforces our commitment to empowering Indian startups and MSMEs with world-class semiconductor design infrastructure. The ChipIN Centre will continue to serve as a national backbone for innovation and capability building.”
SD Sudarsan of CDAC Bengaluru added that the partnership would “help innovators confidently progress from prototypes to deployable, industry-grade products.”
Driving Growth Through Accessible Infrastructure
As one of the first Indian firms to collaborate with multiple foundries globally, SmartSoC offers a critical advantage to emerging startups in navigating technical and operational bottlenecks. The partnership will also contribute to creating a more cohesive and supportive ecosystem for semiconductor design, testing, and commercialization.
By ensuring affordable access to design infrastructure and validation facilities, the initiative marks another step in India’s roadmap toward semiconductor self-sufficiency and supply-chain resilience.
