StrictlyVC Download X-Light's Nicholas Kelez and Pat Gelsinger on government-backed chips
Dec 16, 2025
In this insightful conversation, Pat Gelsinger, a semiconductor veteran and former Intel CEO, teams up with Nicholas Kelez, CEO of deep-tech startup X-Light. They dive into the groundbreaking EUV laser technology that aims to revive Moore's Law. Pat and Nicholas discuss the U.S. government's pivotal investment in X-Light and the importance of U.S. competitiveness in the AI era. They touch on the challenges and opportunities in scaling semiconductor innovations and the moral responsibilities of tech leadership.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Light Is The Limiting Factor For Moore's Law
- Lithography's light source is the central limiter for continuing Moore's Law advances today.
- X‑Light aims to provide higher‑power, shorter‑wavelength light to wake Moore's Law from its nap.
Utility‑Scale Light Architecture Unlocks Power
- EUV adoption and maturity now make alternative light architectures feasible and valuable.
- X‑Light proposes utility‑scale external light sources to increase power and extensibility for scanners.
Sell Complementarity, Not Disruption
- Position new tech as an enabler, not a competitor, to incumbents like ASML.
- Work with existing tool vendors to extend their machines rather than replace them outright.