Setting the Stage for Development of a Robust Semiconductor Ecosystem: Government of Odisha hosted Odisha4Silicon-2023

2nd November 2023, Bhubaneswar: Providing another impetus to the State’s ambition of becoming a Semiconductor hub, Government of Odisha successfully hosted Odisha4Silicon-2023, a pioneering initiative to build a robust semiconductor ecosystem in the State. The event saw the gathering of numerous national and global stakeholders from the semiconductor and ESDM ecosystem.

Addressing the event through  Video Massege, Honorable Chief Minister, Shri Naveen Patnaik, accentuated that Odisha4Silicon-2023 will enable to create a vibrant semiconductor ecosystem, driving innovation, economic growth, and generate employment opportunities for our people and help in achieving inclusive growth of our State.

Speaking in the event, Shri Tusharkanti Behera, Honorable Minister, Electronics and IT, Sports and Youth Services, and Home shared his valuable insights on the evolution of

Odisha’s tech ecosystem and the opportunities present in the semiconductor domain.

He reiterated State’s strong commitment to positioning Odisha as a prime destination for investors, entrepreneurs, and innovators in both the IT and semiconductor sectors.

Other notable dignitaries from the Government included Shri Pradeep Jena, Chief Secretary, Government of Odisha, Shri Manoj Mishra, Principal Secretary, Electronics and IT Department, Smt. Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary, Skill Development and Technical Education Department, Shri Manas Panda, Special Secretary, Electronics and IT Department, and Shri Manoj Pattnaik, Additional Secretary, Electronics and IT Department.

President and CEO of India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA); professors from academic institutions such as IIT Bhubaneswar, IIIT Bhubaneswar, Biju Patnaik University of Technology, and Silicon Institute of Technology; leaders from companies such as Synopsys, Kaynes Technology, d-Matrix, OLA, Ansys, and Metavlsi;  and senior representatives of bodies such as Electronics Sector Skills Council of India (ESSCI) were also attended the event.

Odisha4Silicon-2023, a key initiative by the State Government, has further solidified Odisha's position as a compelling destination for investments and innovation in the semiconductor domain. The event covered pivotal themes such as Talent Transformation, Chip Architecture, and Chip Design and was enriched by some insightful panel discussions.

During the event, three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed, paving the way for new partnerships and collaborations in the semiconductor sector. As per the MoU with IESA, the association will facilitate Government of Odisha in development of capacity building programs and in the promotion of the state’s semiconductor ecosystem through organization of events and conceptualization of knowledge material.

The MoU with global semiconductor giant Synopsys will involve collaboration in areas such as the O-Chip program, talent transformation, workforce development, readiness assessment of the state in semiconductor and VLSI domains, and internship and placement assistance to students of Odisha’s engineering institutions.

The third MoU with the Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council (ESC) will promote Electronics and IT/ITeS exports from the country. ESC will be provided with built up space to set up a dedicated office for Odisha.

The event witnessed launching of pan-India Design Challenge under O-Chip being organized by Electropreneur  Park, Bhubaneswar (A STPI CoE for ESDM Startups). The contest aims to give Students, Researchers, and Startups an avenue to showcase their abilities in developing innovative electronic products, Circuits and Chip designs with the mentoring support from the stakeholders & Industry leaders.

In addition to these MoUs, there are other several initiatives like launching of IESA Odisha Chapter, Campus Connect Program which aimed at fostering innovation, skill development, and industry-academia collaborations in the state.

These launches met with enthusiastic responses from attendees and showcased the state's dedication to becoming a hub for semiconductor research and development.

A highlight of Odisha4Silicon-2023 was the engaging panel discussions that took place, featuring eminent experts from the industry, academia, and government. These discussions revolved around the future of semiconductor technology, the challenges and opportunities in the sector, and the strategies for talent transformation and upskilling in Odisha. The insights shared during these discussions are expected to guide the state's strategic roadmap in the semiconductor domain for the coming years.

The event's success marks a significant milestone in Odisha's journey to becoming one of India's premier semiconductor hubs. The state's proactive measures, as showcased during the event, are a testament to its commitment and vision in this domain.

Further, Odisha has notified its Semiconductor Manufacturing and Fabless Policy 2023 which is offering the most competitive and comprehensive  bouquet  of incentives to investors. Odisha’s Policy stands apart from  other policies by  covering  both fab and fabless units along with incentives for raw materials and supply chain units.

The state has also launched the Odisha Semiconductor Fab and Fabless Innovation and Acceleration Program (O-Chip) to catalyze the development of a semiconductor ecosystem in the state. This program will benefit startups, MSMEs, academic institutions, institutional researchers, and students by offering them access to  EDA tools and IP repository ,  seed funding and research grants, market access, mentorship  and infrastructure support  and a common facilities centre.

The Government of Odisha’s pioneering effort will position the State as a prime destination for investors, entrepreneurs, & innovators which will be the catalyst for Odisha’s journey into the heart of the Global Semiconductor industry.