ChinaTalk In-Q-Tel on Chips, CFIUS, and The Valley of Death
Jun 4, 2021
In this engaging conversation, Yan Zheng, a senior technical staff member at In-Q-Tel, shares insights on the CIA's unique approach to startup investments in microelectronics. He discusses the broken early-stage chip ecosystem and suggests ways to improve it. Zheng emphasizes the need for the U.S. to enhance its direct investments in hard tech and considers the impact of anti-Asian violence on the research community. He also touches on the importance of navigating CFIUS challenges and the critical role of innovative talent in engineering.
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HSMC Debacle
- The Wuhan HSMC semiconductor debacle exemplifies China's aggressive, sometimes mismanaged, push for self-reliance.
- A charismatic businessman secured substantial funding despite lacking technical expertise, highlighting potential pitfalls of rapid expansion.
China's Chip Ambitions
- China's chip industry growth raises concerns for U.S. supply chain security and global competitiveness.
- China's strategy of starting with memory production, similar to Japan and Korea, may enable future advancements in more complex chip designs.
Beyond Fab Construction
- Funding fab construction is crucial, but other parts of the chip innovation pipeline require attention.
- Congress should consider a more holistic approach to funding, addressing the entire process from research to commercialization.