Semiconductor Innovation Community
For semiconductor ecosystem professionals: join industry leaders, academics and NGOs presenting products and ideas in monthly meetings designed to inspire and inform.
Join the community
Are you passionate about driving innovation in the semiconductor industry? Become a part of our Innovation Community. You'll receive an invitation to participate in the Monthly Semiconductor Innovation Roundtable—a discussion group open to semiconductor ecosystem professionals. All are welcome to participate, from companies, academia, NGOs, to government representatives.
How it works
1 Sign up
Submit your contact information to join the Innovation Community.
2 Get the invite
We'll send you an invitation to join the virtual Monthly Semiconductor Innovation Roundtable sessions.
3 Participate
Connect with the semiconductor community—no commitment required. If you can't make a session, join the next one as your schedule permits.
Chris Ouslis, Chair
Chris Ouslis, Industrial Technology Advisor at NRC, leads the Semiconductor Innovation Community, formerly known as the Alliance of Semiconductor Innovation Canada (ASIC). Chris founded the discussion group in 2021 with the aim of uniting experts and stakeholders to share insights, enhance awareness, and advance the semiconductor industry in Canada. With extensive experience in the industry, Chris is committed to fostering collaboration and supporting the growth of this vital technology ecosystem.
Our participants
Five years of building together
Since 2021
Monthly virtual and hybrid sessions
200+
Participating organizations
5 sectors
Industry, academia, NGOs, finance and government
Past sessions
AUGUST 18, 2026
Chips in Space
Christopher Elash, Novigrad
What happens to chips in orbit and deep space, and how design techniques change to survive radiation. Novigrad introduced Canada's first full radiation testing service, with context on the new generation of space processors from NASA, Microchip, Intel and others.
JUNE 18, 2026
AI for Analog
Astrus AI; Asterquanta
Two Canadian startups showed how physics-aware reinforcement learning is automating analog/mixed-signal circuit design and layout, one of the most talent-intensive parts of chip design. Astrus first presented to the community in January 2024 and is now in trials with tier-1 chip companies.
MAY 26, 2026
Silicon Saxony + Mexico Semi
Frank Bösenberg, Silicon Saxony; Eugenio Marin, FUMEC
A look at two partner ecosystems: Europe's largest microelectronics cluster in Dresden (700+ members, one third of Europe's chips) and Mexico's semiconductor supply chain mapping across design, manufacturing and ATP.
APRIL 30, 2026
Photonics & OFC 2026 Wrap-up
Michael Davison, CPFC; Mohsen Asad, Hyperlume; Hojjat Salemi, Ranovus; Imran Ahmed, StarIC
The community's most popular annual session. Canadian photonics leaders shared takeaways from OFC, building on the country's deep strength in optical networking.
FEBRUARY 12, 2026
Apple + TSMC: Co-dependent, Interdependent, Transformative
How Apple and TSMC grew together, with Apple anchoring every leading-edge node since 20nm. A primer ahead of a review of Dan Wang's Apple in China and what it means for industrial policy.
NOVEMBER 26, 2025
IBM Mainframes: The Machines Behind Daily Digital Life
Kevin Stoodley, IBM
Inside the IBM Z and its Telum II processor with on-chip AI for real-time fraud detection. Chip modules are assembled, tested and packaged at IBM Bromont, with compute drawers built in Canada by Celestica.