Universities are often centers for R&D as well as experimentation, making them the perfect
partner for a start-up. Thankfully in central Texas there is an innovation corridor
connecting several top-tier universities that have become centers of engineering
excellence. These partnerships will be critical in helping Phoenix solve chip obsolescence
and may lead to the establishment of a hub for legacy chip production.
Earlier this year we submitted a proposal to the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund
(TSIF). Part of our submission included establishing a formal partnership with Texas State University, including its Science, Technology, and Advanced Research (STAR) Park. The STAR Park is a technology incubator dedicated to research and commercialization efforts in Central Texas. Our partnership will create a talent pipeline between Texas State engineering students and Phoenix. Texas State University will offer cleanroom space that will serve as a prototyping lab for initial design and development. Should Phoenix be awarded a grant through TSIF, our chip development and design process will be accelerated not only through increased funding but also from the collaboration with engineering talent at Texas State.
Earlier this year, Dr. Ryan Hatcher and Vice President of Product Research, and Senior Technical
Fellow, Marco Davila sponsored a research project at UT Austin’s Engineering School this
Spring. The project attempted to recreate the Z80 microprocessor one of the oldest chips
still in use today. The team of undergraduate students presented their project at the UVA Engineering conference and to the broader UT engineering community in May. Projects like this one bring awareness, and spark interest for engineering students to help solve legacy chip supply issues in the future.