Heronic Technologies to enter strategic discussions with Japanese semiconductor giant ROHM
Success at UK-APAC Tech Growth Programme reverse pitch results in opportunity for collaboration
Heronic Technologies, an Imperial College London spinout specialising in artificial intelligence (AI) accelerator architectures, has been selected to participate in commercial and technical discussions with ROHM Semiconductor, one of Japan’s largest electronics companies. The opportunity follows Heronic's successful performance at a recent UK-APAC Tech Growth Programme reverse pitch event, held in London in September.
Heronic’s proprietary technology enables the customisation of chips for specific AI applications, optimising efficiency and performance beyond the capabilities of generic architectures.
The company's innovative approach to chip architecture captured the interest of ROHM’s innovation and strategy teams, who are keen to enhance their development of power semiconductor materials and explore next-generation technologies including AI, photonics, spintronics and quantum solutions.
The reverse pitch event, organised by the UK-APAC Tech Growth Programme at Asia House in London, featured seven cutting-edge UK companies. Each took a turn to describe how their technologies could support ROHM’s business objectives, followed by a Q&A session and networking opportunity.
Alexander Montgomerie-Corcoran, CEO of Heronic Technologies, commented: “We’re honoured that ROHM selected us as the winning company in this highly competitive reverse pitch. Our technology significantly boosts the energy efficiency and performance of AI and machine learning applications.
“ROHM has a global reputation for innovation in the electronics industry and we’re excited at the opportunity to integrate our AI-driven solutions into its advanced semiconductor products.”
Alexander Montgomerie-Corcoran, CEO of Heronic Technologies, commented: “We’re honoured that ROHM selected us as the winning company in this highly competitive reverse pitch. Our technology significantly boosts the energy efficiency and performance of AI and machine learning applications.
“ROHM has a global reputation for innovation in the electronics industry and we’re excited at the opportunity to integrate our AI-driven solutions into its advanced semiconductor products.”
Koji Taniuchi, General Manager of ROHM’s Technology Innovation Team, said: “We’re constantly on the lookout for startups with the cutting-edge technology to create new businesses over the next 10-20 years. We’re particularly focusing on exploring technologies that integrate optoelectronics and spintronics.
“During this pitch event, seven startups with excellent technologies and ideas gathered from across the UK and presented their proposals to us. Each was outstanding, making it difficult to choose, but we selected Heronic as we expect its bespoke AI design environment to accelerate our digital strategy.”
Jeremy Shaw, leader of the UK-APAC Tech Growth Programme, congratulated Heronic Technologies on their success: “These events are designed to showcase the very best of UK innovation to APAC’s top industry players. We’re thrilled that Heronic Technologies has earned this exciting opportunity to engage with one of Japan’s most respected semiconductor companies.”
The UK-APAC Tech Growth Programme, delivered on behalf of the government by international business development consultancy Intralink, helps high-growth technology companies explore and expand into the APAC region. Participating companies benefit from market entry guidance, business development support and connections to potential partners and customers. The programme covers 11 markets including Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and Australia. Companies can apply to join the programme at www.intralinkgroup.com/TGP.
The programme recently published a report exploring semiconductor opportunities in Northeast Asia, identifying key prospects for UK firms in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. The report is available for free download at bit.ly/4dv8EPC
About Intralink
Intralink is a business development consultancy specialising in international markets. It helps companies expand in Asia, Europe and North America; it enables corporates to thrive through global collaboration; and it helps governments to grow their exports and attract foreign investment. Founded in 1990, the company has offices in Shanghai, Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei, Singapore, Boston, Silicon Valley, LA, Oxford, London, Paris, Poznań, and Tel Aviv. See more at www.intralinkgroup.com
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Sabina Ciofu is Associate Director – International, running the International Policy and Trade Programme at techUK.
Based in Brussels, she leads our EU policy and engagement. She is also our lead on international trade policy, with a focus on digital trade chapter in FTAs, regulatory cooperation as well as broader engagement with the G7, G20, WTO and OECD.
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