ICTC, CSC, CMC Microsystems and ventureLAB Partner to Advance Canada’s National Semiconductor Strategy

Vancouver, BC | November 17, 2025 Canada’s Semiconductor Council (CSC) is pleased to announce that Microchip Technology Inc., a leading semiconductor company making innovative design easier through total systems solutions, has joined as the newest member of the Council. With a global reputation for enabling innovation across industries from automotive and aerospace to industrial and communications, Microchip’s membership strengthens CSC’s mission to build a competitive and resilient semiconductor ecosystem in Canada. “Microchip’s technical leadership, collaborative mindset, and deep industry experience will bring tremendous value to our collective efforts to drive semiconductor innovation, talent development, and policy advancement in Canada,” said Paul Slaby, Managing Director of Canada’s Semiconductor Council. As part of their engagement, Kevin So, Vice President, Communications Business Unit will join CSC’s Advisory Board, contributing to national strategy discussions and working groups. "Microchip has a strong and growing presence across Canada, with R&D centers and business operations in five provinces developing market-leading solutions for edge computing, automotive, data center, AI and communications markets," said Kevin So, Vice President of Microchip’s Communications Business Unit. "Joining the CSC reinforces our commitment to Canada’s innovation ecosystem—collaborating across industry, academia and government to strengthen the talent pipeline, advance innovation and support Canada’s leadership in the global semiconductor landscape.” Microchip joins a growing list of CSC members — including multinationals with operations in Canada, SMEs, startups, and related ecosystem organizations — working together to ensure Canada’s leadership in next-generation semiconductor technologies, from automotive power electronics to AI chips and photonics. About Microchip Technology Inc. Microchip Technology Inc. is committed to making innovative design easier through total system solutions that address critical challenges at the intersection of emerging technologies and durable end markets. Its easy-to-use development tools and comprehensive product portfolio support customers throughout the design process, from concept to completion. Headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, Microchip offers outstanding technical support and delivers solutions across the industrial, automotive, consumer, aerospace and defense, communications and computing markets. For more information, visit the Microchip website at www.microchip.com. About Canada’s Semiconductor Council Canada’s Semiconductor Council (CSC) is a national semiconductor industry organization representing a broad ecosystem of companies and institutions involved in the development and manufacturing of semiconductor components. CSC is dedicated to accelerating the growth and development of Canada’s semiconductor sector. The organization's goal is to strengthen our domestic supply chain resiliency and future in the digital economy by establishing Canada as a leader for semiconductor research, design and development, and manufacturing at the forefront of commercialization and innovation for the global semiconductor industry.

Burnaby, BC | October 24, 2025 Canada’s Semiconductor Council (CSC) is pleased to announce that Preciseley Microtechnology Corporation (PMC) has joined as the newest member of the Council. Headquartered in Burnaby BC, Preciseley is a global leader in the design and manufacture of MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) for advanced optical and photonic applications. Their membership strengthens CSC’s cross-country representation and reinforces the importance of western Canada’s contributions to the national semiconductor value chain. “As one of Canada’s homegrown technology success stories, Preciseley brings world-class expertise in MEMS innovation and an important regional perspective that broadens Canada’s collective voice on the global stage,” said Paul Slaby, Managing Director of Canada’s Semiconductor Council. As part of their engagement, Bruce Scatchard, Interim CEO of Preciseley, will join CSC’s Advisory Board, contributing his technical and strategic insights to national initiatives focused on photonics, advanced packaging, and next-generation manufacturing capabilities. “We’re proud to join the Council and contribute to the collaborative effort of building a strong, nationally integrated semiconductor ecosystem,” said Bruce Scatchard, Interim CEO of Preciseley Microtechnology. “As a western Canadian company competing globally, we see the value of aligning regional innovation with national priorities to accelerate commercialization, talent development, and sustainable growth across the country.” With Preciseley joining its growing roster of members, CSC continues to expand its network of industry leaders, innovators, and researchers united around a shared vision: making Canada a global semiconductor industry leader. About Preciseley Microtechnology Corporation Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Burnaby, British Columbia, Preciseley Microtechnology Corporation (PMC) is a global leader in the development and manufacturing of MEMS-based optical components and subsystems. PMC’s technologies enable high-performance applications in LiDAR, optical communications, displays, and sensing. Learn more at www.preciseley.com About Canada’s Semiconductor Council Canada’s Semiconductor Council (CSC) is a national semiconductor industry organization representing a broad ecosystem of companies and institutions involved in the development and manufacturing of semiconductor components. CSC is dedicated to accelerating the growth and development of Canada’s semiconductor sector. The organization's goal is to strengthen our domestic supply chain resiliency and future in the digital economy by establishing Canada as a leader for semiconductor research, design and development, and manufacturing at the forefront of commercialization and innovation for the global semiconductor industry.

Toronto, ON | September 22, 2025 Canada’s Semiconductor Council is pleased to announce that the TekStart Group, a Canadian company dedicated to accelerating the growth of emerging semiconductor, hardware, and IP ventures, has joined the Council as its newest member. Howard Pakosh, TekStart founder and CEO, will contribute his expertise to CSC’s Advisory Board. TekStart supports companies at the forefront of hardware and semiconductor innovation by providing design, commercialization, and strategic advisory services. Its mission aligns closely with CSC’s efforts to build a resilient Canadian semiconductor ecosystem that drives competitiveness and growth across key sectors of the economy. Paul Slaby, Managing Director of Canada’s Semiconductor Council, said: “TekStart helps turn promising ideas and technologies into real business value. This is exactly the kind of momentum Canada’s semiconductor sector needs. We’re glad to welcome them to the CSC community.” Howard Pakosh added, “It’s an exciting time to join CSC at such a pivotal time for Canada’s technology sector. TekStart has seen firsthand the challenges and opportunities facing emerging semiconductor ventures. Our experience in overcoming these obstacles can help the Council and its members to build a stronger ecosystem that enables Canadian companies to compete better and thrive globally.” Canada’s semiconductor future depends on bold companies willing to nurture innovation from the ground up. TekStart plays a unique role by guiding promising ventures through the critical stages of design and commercialization—work that complements CSC’s mission to support growth, foster collaboration, and strengthen Canada’s role in the global semiconductor industry. About The TekStart Group Founded in 1998, the TekStart Group is a privately held Canadian firm dedicated to turning breakthrough technology concepts into market-ready successes. TekStart provides investment, commercialization, and executive support, partnering with innovators to fund, build, and scale advanced technologies. Through its ChipStart® business unit, the company delivers custom ASIC design and outsourced operations for semiconductor, consumer electronics, and IoT companies. Its latest innovation, Cognitum, is a high-performance, ultra-low-power AI processor designed for edge devices. With deep expertise and a trusted partner network across North America and Europe, TekStart helps clients reduce risk, accelerate time-to-market, and unlock lasting value. Learn more at tekstart.com . About Canada’s Semiconductor Council Canada’s Semiconductor Council (CSC) is a national semiconductor industry organization representing a broad ecosystem of companies and institutions involved in the development and manufacturing of semiconductor components. CSC is dedicated to accelerating the growth and development of Canada’s semiconductor sector. The organization's goal is to strengthen our domestic supply chain resiliency and future in the digital economy by establishing Canada as a leader for semiconductor research, design and development, and manufacturing at the forefront of commercialization and innovation for the global semiconductor industry.

Ottawa, ON | June 24, 2025 Canada’s Semiconductor Council (CSC) has released its 2025 Talent & Workforce Development Report, highlighting a clear path to realizing the sector’s growth potential: build the workforce, and the growth will follow. The report—developed by CSC’s Talent & Workforce Development Working Group with contributions from 24 leaders across 16 organizations—shows that 70% of Canadian semiconductor companies surveyed plan to at least double in size over the next five years. But this growth hinges on one critical factor: access to skilled talent. According to the report, talent shortages are the number one barrier to growth. Without targeted action, the sector risks stalled expansion, increased offshoring, and missed opportunity. “The talent gap is not just a barrier—it’s our biggest opportunity,” said Paul Slaby, Managing Director of CSC. “With the right investments in workforce development, Canada can realize billions in GDP gains, secure high-value jobs, and cement its leadership in strategic technologies.” Led by Working Group Chair Dr. Tony Chan Carusone, CTO of Alphawave Semi, the report draws on a national survey and in-depth interviews with companies across the country. It identifies the most urgent workforce challenges and proposes three actionable strategies to close the gap and support industry expansion. Key Strategies to Grow Canada’s Semiconductor Workforce More HQP into Industry: Expand Master’s & PhD Programs Increase support for graduate-level training directly aligned with industry needs—especially long-term (8+ month) internships for Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Hire-Ready: Launch a National Industry Certification Program Equip new graduates and early-career talent with hands-on semiconductor design and engineering skills that go beyond current academic offerings. Develop Targeted Learning Programs for Critical Skills Prioritize applied training in the most in-demand areas: Analog Design (High-Speed), Systems Engineering, and Physical Layout. These actions would address key hiring challenges, enabling Canada to significantly boost GDP and compete globally in semiconductors and advanced technologies. “The semiconductor industry is at a turning point. The investments we make over the next few years will shape Canada’s role in this strategic sector for decades. We’ve heard clearly that the single most effective way to seize this opportunity and drive Canadian prosperity is to build a strong, sustainable talent pipeline,” said Tony Chan Carusone. The full report is available here .

June 19, 2025 TechWorks, the UK industry association for semiconductor and deep tech innovation, has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Canada's Semiconductor Council (CSC) to foster strategic collaboration between the UK and Canadian semiconductor ecosystems. The agreement recognises the highly complementary strengths of both nations in areas such as advanced packaging, compound semiconductors, quantum technologies, AI, neuromorphic processors, sustainable materials, and more. While traditional high-volume digital CMOS production manufacturing has shifted eastward, the UK and Canada remain at the forefront of innovation across emerging technologies critical to future global competitiveness. This coincides with the meeting this week in Ottawa between Sir Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (UK) and Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada to reaffirm the strength of the Canada-UK partnership, deepening trade ties as trusted partners and, in particular, agreeing to work together to enhance both nations’ complementary strengths in semiconductors, photonics, emerging materials and chip design. Their commitment underscores the vision set out in the MoU to build resilient supply chains and accelerate breakthroughs in this key economic growth sector, which is of great importance to both countries. Charles Sturman, CEO of TechWorks , commented, “This partnership represents a significant milestone for our respective semiconductor industries. By connecting two innovation-rich ecosystems, we are opening the door to deeper collaboration in R&D, talent development, and commercial opportunity. Through shared strengths and common mind-set, we can help build resilient supply chains and accelerate the technologies that will define the next decade.” The MoU sets out a long-term collaborative framework based on: Sharing market intelligence, roadmaps, and best practices Promoting business-to-business collaboration and trade missions Supporting workforce development and academic partnerships Facilitating bilateral R&D initiatives, including participation in international innovation programs Both countries aim to enhance their global competitiveness by increasing trade, foreign direct investment, and innovation output across the full semiconductor and microelectronics value chain—from design to manufacturing to end-use applications in AI, IoT, communications, mobility, and more. “Canada and the UK have long shared a rich history of collaboration, and this agreement is a natural next step in addressing the growing need for deeper cooperation in the semiconductor sector—especially as global trade dynamics continue to shift rapidly,” said Paul Slaby, Managing Director of Canada’s Semiconductor Council . “By strengthening ties and leveraging our mutual strengths, we can create new opportunities and lasting impact for both nations.” The UK Science Minister, Lord Vallance said: “This new partnership reflects the UK and Canada’s shared commitment to strengthening semiconductor supply chains and deepening international cooperation in critical technologies. “It will help create new opportunities for businesses and researchers and support our Plan for Change through long-term economic growth.” The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions added: “Canada and the United Kingdom’s partnership demonstrates our shared commitment to advancing innovation and building economic resilience. We are strengthening our leadership in innovation, reinforcing secure supply chains, and creating new opportunities for businesses and researchers on both sides of the Atlantic.” TechWorks and CSC are also working with the UK and Canadian governments to support innovation and economic growth in this critical sector, supporting a jointly funded research and development program focusing on advanced packaging, photonics, and emerging materials. This was recently launched by Innovate UK and Canada's National Research Council Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP). The program aims to foster innovation and resilient supply chains: https://iuk-businessconnect.org.uk/opportunities/canada-uk-semiconductors-2025/. The call for proposals is open to Canadian and UK organisations who wish to form project consortia to collaborate on innovative products, processes, or technology-based services. TechWorks and CSC invite stakeholders across industry, academia, and government to engage with this partnership and participate in shaping the future of semiconductor innovation between our two nations.

Toronto, ON | May 9, 2025 Canada’s Semiconductor Council (CSC) is proud to welcome Intel as its newest member, joining a growing network of leading global and domestic companies committed to advancing Canada’s semiconductor ecosystem. Representing Intel on CSC’s Advisory Board is Asma Aziz, General Manager of Intel Canada. As a global technology leader, Intel is at the forefront of driving innovation in semiconductor design and manufacturing. With its bold strategy to lead in the AI era, Intel is investing in next-generation technologies and global manufacturing capabilities that support a resilient and sustainable semiconductor supply chain. Intel’s membership comes at a pivotal moment as Canada works to build a stronger, more competitive position within the global semiconductor landscape. "I’m glad to represent Intel on the Advisory Board of Canada’s Semiconductor Council," said Asma Aziz, General Manager, Intel Canada. “Canada has a critical role to play in the future of AI and advanced computing. I look forward to working alongside public and private stakeholders to help grow the country's semiconductor capabilities and ensure we’re aligned to Canada’s broader digital and economic goals.” Intel’s leadership in AI-driven computing, combined with its continued investment in advanced manufacturing—including the highly anticipated Intel 18A process node, expected later this year—is helping to shape the future of the global semiconductor industry. “Intel’s global perspective and deep expertise in advanced computing and manufacturing will be a tremendous asset as we work to accelerate Canada’s role in critical technologies. We’re pleased to have Asma’s leadership and experience contributing to our Advisory Board,” said Paul Slaby, Managing Director of Canada’s Semiconductor Council. As Canada deepens its focus on semiconductor strategy, industry collaboration remains essential to advancing opportunities in AI, next-generation computing, and resilient supply chains. CSC looks forward to Intel’s active engagement in advancing these national objectives. About Intel Intel (Nasdaq: INTC) is an industry leader, creating world-changing technology that enables global progress and enriches lives. Inspired by Moore’s Law, we continuously work to advance the design and manufacturing of semiconductors to help address our customers’ greatest challenges. By embedding intelligence in the cloud, network, edge and every kind of computing device, we unleash the potential of data to transform business and society for the better. To learn more about Intel’s innovations, go to newsroom.intel.com and intel.com. About Canada’s Semiconductor Council Canada’s Semiconductor Council (CSC) is a national semiconductor industry organization representing a broad ecosystem of companies and institutions involved in the development and manufacturing of semiconductor components. CSC is dedicated to accelerating the growth and development of Canada’s semiconductor sector. The organization's goal is to strengthen our domestic supply chain resiliency and future in the digital economy by establishing Canada as a leader for semiconductor research, design and development, and manufacturing at the forefront of commercialization and innovation for the global semiconductor industry.

Toronto, Ontario | March 31, 2025 Canada’s Semiconductor Council (CSC) is pleased to announce that Hepzibah AI, a pioneering venture focused on next-generation, energy-efficient AI inference technology, has joined as its latest industry member. Founded by Martin Snelgrove and Raymond Chik—co-founders of Untether AI—along with David Lynch and Taneem Ahmed, Hepzibah AI is pushing the boundaries of AI compute by delivering high-performance, low-power AI compute solutions that are inference-centric with fine-tuning capabilities. Instead of manufacturing AI chips, the company provides intellectual property (IP) and core designs that enable chipmakers to integrate cutting-edge AI capabilities directly into their system-on-chip (SoC) solutions. Hepzibah AI’s unique architecture builds upon the the energy-efficient AI compute architecture breakthrough pioneered by Martin’s research on C*RAM (Computational RAM) at U of Toronto 40 years ago, which was later re-branded by Untether AI as 'At-memory Compute'. Their work supports the broader shift toward integrating AI as a core function in everything from consumer electronics to industrial applications. “Hepzibah AI brings valuable expertise in AI compute to CSC, particularly through their participation in our AI Chips Working Group,” said Paul Slaby, Managing Director of Canada’s Semiconductor Council. “Their decision to join CSC underscores the value of our organization in supporting semiconductor companies in Canada—driving industry growth and ensuring a strong voice with all levels of government.” "We are excited to join Canada’s Semiconductor Council and collaborate with industry leaders to drive innovation in AI compute," said Raymond Chik, Co-founder of Hepzibah AI. "AI is becoming ubiquitous, and our mission is to ensure that AI inference is not only more powerful but also dramatically more efficient. We believe Canada is well-positioned to be a leader in this space, and we look forward to contributing to this growing ecosystem." By joining CSC, Hepzibah AI becomes part of a growing coalition of semiconductor innovators, industry leaders, and policymakers working to strengthen Canada’s position in the global semiconductor and AI ecosystem. About Hepizbah AI At Hepzibah, we redefine AI acceleration based on the at-memory compute architecture. Building on pioneering research in Computational RAM (C-RAM) started in the late ’80s by our co-founder/CEO Martin Snelgrove when teaching at the University of Toronto during the late-’80’s to mid-’90s, our technology now targets modern AI and machine learning workloads. Initially developed for graphics and digital signal processing (DSP) applications, C-RAM technology has evolved into today’s at-memory compute, significantly reducing energy consumption and boosting performance. Leveraging transistor-level expertise, careful pipelining, and optimized hardware utilization, our scalable platform supports dynamic inference and real-time tuning. Combined with an easy-to-use software stack, Hepzibah offers architectures & IPs that empower rapid deployment across multiple verticals, including but not limited to automotive, healthcare, industrial IoT, and cloud infrastructure. We aim to enable the ubiquity of efficient AI computing on every chip, transforming how AI is integrated across all technology sectors. To learn more about Hepzibah AI, visit https://www.hepzibah.ai/ About Canada's Semiconductor Council Canada’s Semiconductor Council (CSC) is a national semiconductor industry organization representing a broad ecosystem of companies and institutions involved in the development and manufacturing of semiconductor components. CSC is dedicated to accelerating the growth and development of Canada’s semiconductor sector. The organization's goal is to strengthen our domestic supply chain resiliency and future in the digital economy by establishing Canada as a leader for semiconductor research, design and development, and manufacturing at the forefront of commercialization and innovation for the global semiconductor industry.

Waterloo, Ontario | January 27, 2025 Canada’s Semiconductor Council (CSC) is pleased to announce that Applied Brain Research (ABR), a leader in the development of AI solutions, has joined as the newest member of the industry association. Kevin Conley, ABR’s CEO and Director, will take a seat on CSC’s Advisory Board. Founded in 2013 by Dr. Chris Eliasmith, ABR CTO and renowned professor at the University of Waterloo, ABR is at the forefront of leveraging neuroscience and machine learning to create efficient, scalable solutions for complex computing challenges. With their groundbreaking work in neuromorphic hardware and AI software, ABR is helping reshape the future of intelligent systems, advancing technologies across industries such as robotics, automotive, and IoT. “ABR’s unique perspective will be important as we advance Canada’s position in the global semiconductor value chain and drive growth in AI and emerging technologies,” said Paul Slaby, Managing Director of CSC. Through joining CSC and contributing to CSC's AI Chips Working Group initiatives, ABR plays a valuable role in accelerating innovation in areas such as energy-efficient computing, advanced AI development, and enhancing global technology competitiveness. “Canada is poised to lead in the development of sustainable, efficient, and ethical AI infrastructure from the data center to edge devices,” said Kevin Conley, CEO of ABR. “We are excited to join CSC and contribute to building a stronger semiconductor ecosystem that supports innovation and positions Canada as a global technology leader.” As a member of CSC, ABR will collaborate with key stakeholders to tackle challenges such as talent development, supply chain resiliency, and commercialization of advanced technologies. About Applied Brain Research Applied Brain Research Inc (ABR) is a pioneer in Artificial Intelligence technology founded by alumni of the Computational Neuroscience Research Group at the University of Waterloo. ABR is leading a new wave of product development targeting ultra-low power Edge AI, enabling a new level of capability in low-power critical applications. ABR’s revolutionary time-series AI processor uses 100x less-power than other high-functionality edge AI hardware, and supports AI models up to 10-100x larger than other low-power edge AI hardware. For more information visit: www.appliedbrainresearch.com. About Canada's Semiconductor Council Canada’s Semiconductor Council (CSC) is a national semiconductor industry organization representing a broad ecosystem of companies and institutions involved in the development and manufacturing of semiconductor components. CSC is dedicated to accelerating the growth and development of Canada’s semiconductor sector. The organization's goal is to strengthen our domestic supply chain resiliency and future in the digital economy by establishing Canada as a leader for semiconductor research, design and development, and manufacturing at the forefront of commercialization and innovation for the global semiconductor industry.

Montreal, Canada | December 17, 2024 Canada’s Semiconductor Council (CSC) is delighted to announce that Stathera, a leading provider of next-generation MEMS timing solutions, has joined the Council as its newest member. This addition further strengthens CSC’s mission to unite key players across Canada’s semiconductor ecosystem to drive innovation, commercialization, and global competitiveness. Stathera is recognized as a leader in MEMS timing technology, delivering innovative solutions for applications such as IoT, wearables, telecommunications, and more. Their advancements in timing technology enable greater precision, reliability, and energy efficiency, making them a key contributor to Canada’s growing semiconductor ecosystem. “We are glad to welcome Stathera to the CSC community,” said Paul Slaby, Managing Director of Canada’s Semiconductor Council. “Their innovative solutions not only address critical industry needs but also help to position Canada as an already established leader in MEMS semiconductor technologies.” “We are excited to join Canada’s Semiconductor Council and collaborate with industry leaders shaping the future of semiconductors,” said George Xereas, Co-founder and CEO of Stathera. “Our mission is to revolutionize timing solutions with reliable, power-efficient MEMS technology, which is rooted in advanced semiconductor processes. Through CSC’s platform, we aim to drive broader adoption of MEMS-based timing solutions and help position Canada as a global semiconductor hub.” Stathera joins an expanding roster of industry leaders, including semiconductor design firms, manufacturers, and AI chip innovators, all committed to advancing Canada’s semiconductor capabilities. CSC continues to promote collaboration, advocate for strategic investments, and address key challenges in the semiconductor supply chain. For more information about Stathera, visit www.stathera.com. About Canada's Semiconductor Council Canada’s Semiconductor Council (CSC) is a national semiconductor industry organization representing a broad ecosystem of companies and institutions involved in the development and manufacturing of semiconductor components. CSC is dedicated to accelerating the growth and development of Canada’s semiconductor sector. The organization's goal is to strengthen our domestic supply chain resiliency and future in the digital economy by establishing Canada as a leader for semiconductor research, design and development, and manufacturing at the forefront of commercialization and innovation for the global semiconductor industry.