SURECORE

What SURECORE does

sureCore Ltd is a Sheffield, UK-based semiconductor intellectual property (IP) company that designs, licenses and supports ultra-low power embedded memory IP for advanced silicon processes. The company's core offerings center on a portfolio of silicon-proven SRAM IP products — PowerMiser, PowerMiser Plus (sub-0.5V operation to 0.45V), EverOn (near-threshold from 0.6V), MiniMiser (low-power register files), and CryoMem (cryogenic IP operating from 77K to near-absolute-zero for quantum computing control ASICs) — together with the CompuRAM in-memory compute platform targeting AI inference at the edge. Two patented circuit techniques underpin the family: Bit Line Voltage Control and SMART-Assist, which together enable operation at near-threshold voltages on standard foundry bit cells without process modifications. These products have been silicon-proven on 28HPC+, 22ULL, 16FFC, 28FDSOI, Samsung 28nm FDS and 12nm nodes, with development extending to 7nm.

The company monetizes these IP products through quote-based, multi-year perpetual or recurring licensing agreements, complemented by application-centric bespoke design services under the SureFIT brand (delivering up to 70% power savings in custom engagements) and a broader Silicon Services Suite launched in 2025 that covers analogue/mixed-signal design, custom layout, verification, characterization, and test chip development. Customer acquisition runs through a web-based Compiler Access Program providing 30-day evaluation, direct enterprise sales for complex engagements, and channel partners in China (Shanghai LoMicro, contributing an estimated 75% of business) and APAC (Taiwan Dream Services covering Taiwan, South Korea and Japan). End customers include Zepp Health in wearables, KU Leuven's MICAS research division for a 16nm FinFET neural processing accelerator, and Semidynamics for a RISC-V-based tensor processing chip.

Strategically, sureCore has anchored itself in the nascent cryogenic CMOS IP market for quantum computing — leading the £6.5M Innovate UK-funded CryoCMOS consortium (2021) with partners including Universal Quantum, SEEQC, Synopsys, Oxford Instruments, the University of Glasgow, SemiWise, and Agile Analog, complemented by a cryogenic packaging partnership with Sarcina Technology (2024). The company is led by founder and CEO Paul Wells, CTO Tony Stansfield, COO Eric Gunn and chairman Guillaume d'Eyssautier, and operates from a single-site headquarters at Sheffield Technology Park with 1–10 employees. Reported funding consists of roughly $7.2M of early venture rounds (2012–2020) and the non-dilutive £6.5M Innovate UK grant; no institutional investors are identified in the available data and no revenue is publicly disclosed.

Name

SURECORE

Legal name

sureCore Ltd

Website

https://sure-core.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

sureCore Ltd is a Sheffield, UK-based semiconductor IP company that designs, licenses, and supports ultra-low power SRAM and register-file IP — including PowerMiser, EverOn, PowerMiser Plus, MiniMiser, and CryoMem — alongside SureFIT custom design services for wearables, IoT, edge AI, and quantum computing control ASIC customers globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Semiconductor Memory IP

NAICS

Semiconductor and Related Device Manufacturing (334413), Other Specialized Design Services (541490)

SIC

Semiconductors & Related Devices (3674)

akta.pro primary industry

Hardware/Chip Design IP Cores (Processor, Interface, Analog, Security) (HDAHAFAF)

Keywords

• Ultra-low power SRAM
• Embedded memory IP
• Semiconductor IP licensing
• Cryogenic memory IP
• Custom memory design

Headquarters

HQ city

Sheffield

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Licensed SRAM IP Products: sureCore licenses its standard off-the-shelf ultra-low power memory IP products (PowerMiser, EverOn, PowerMiser Plus, MiniMiser, CryoMem) to semiconductor companies for integration into their SoC designs. Customers pay a one-time or recurring license fee for the right to use the IP in their silicon. Available via web-based compiler generating standard EDA views (Verilog, LEF, Liberty).
2. Custom Memory Design Services (SureFIT): Bespoke application-centric SRAM and memory subsystem design services optimizing for Power, Performance, and Area (PPA) for customers with unique or demanding memory requirements beyond what standard IP products address. Deliverables include custom memory IP, verification, and characterization.
3. Silicon Services: Comprehensive suite of low-power mixed-signal design services covering analogue/mixed signal design, full custom transistor-level layout, mixed-signal verification and characterization, and test chip development and evaluation.
4. Compiler Access Program (CAP): 30-day evaluation access to memory compilers for qualifying companies to evaluate low power capabilities before committing to a license.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

sureCore develops, licenses, and supports silicon-proven ultra-low power embedded SRAM memory IP for semiconductor SoC designers. Its portfolio spans PowerMiser, PowerMiser Plus, EverOn, MiniMiser, CryoMem, and CompuRAM IP products targeting 40nm to 12nm process nodes, plus SureFIT custom memory design services and a Silicon Services Suite covering analog/mixed-signal design, custom layout, verification, characterization, and test chip development.

Product overview

SureCore is an ultra-low power embedded memory IP company offering a portfolio of silicon-proven, process-independent SRAM IP products and design services. The core product line includes PowerMiser (standard low power SRAM), PowerMiser Plus (ultra-low voltage down to 0.45V), EverOn (near-threshold operation to 0.6V), MiniMiser (register files with 50%+ power reduction), and CryoMem (cryogenic IP for quantum computing). The company also offers CompuRAM in-memory computing technology for AI edge processing. Services include the SureFIT custom SRAM design service and a comprehensive Silicon Services Suite covering mixed-signal design, layout, verification, and test chip development. The products are connected through shared power-saving architectural techniques (Bit Line Voltage Control, SMART-Assist circuitry) and target applications in AI/ML, wearables, IoT, medical devices, and quantum computing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PowerMiser: Ultra-low dynamic power SRAM IP with patented Bit Line Voltage Control techniques for power-critical applications.
• EverOn
• MiniMiser
• CryoMem
• SureFIT
• CompuRAM
• SMART-Assist

Products and services

• PowerMiser Low power single-port SRAM IP delivering up to 50% dynamic power savings and 20% leakage power reduction versus foundry/competitive SRAM, with patented Bit Line Voltage Control and retentive sleep modes, targeted at SoC designers building power-constrained wearables, IoT, AI, and edge devices.
• PowerMiser Plus Ultra-low voltage SRAM IP operating down to 0.45V, enabling logic and memory to interface at the same voltages for tandem performance/power adjustment, ideal for power-critical edge-AI applications; delivers 400MHz at worst-case corner at 0.45V.
• PowerMiser AI Specialized PowerMiser variant optimized for AI workloads, tuned to drive down dynamic power while exploiting FinFET power efficiencies for compute-intensive embedded memory requirements.
• EverOn Ultra-low voltage SRAM IP enabling near-threshold operation from 0.6V upward via patented SMART-Assist circuitry, supporting single-rail direct logic connection without level shifters and delivering up to 50% power savings versus standard memories.
• MiniMiser Custom register file architecture delivering over 50% power reduction versus off-the-shelf register files, with multi-port and high-performance variants generated via proprietary compiler technology for AI and high-performance applications.
• CryoMem Cryogenic semiconductor memory IP silicon-proven in 180nm and 22nm process nodes, operating from 77K (-196°C) down to near absolute zero temperatures to enable design of Cryo-CMOS control chips co-located with qubits inside cryostats for quantum computing.
• CompuRAM In-memory computing development platform embedding arithmetic operations deep within low-power SRAM to enable power-efficient AI processing at the edge by reducing data movement within chips.
• Silicon Services Suite Comprehensive suite of silicon design services covering analog/mixed-signal design, full custom transistor-level layout, mixed-signal verification and characterization, and test chip development and evaluation for SoC and IP design.
• SureFIT Custom Memory Design Service Application-centric custom SRAM design service delivering bespoke, verified memory implementations addressing specific power, performance, and area requirements for wearable, wireless, AR, and IoT devices, producing SRAM and Register File variants based on standard foundry or custom bit cells.
• Compiler Access Program (CAP) 30-day web-based evaluation program allowing qualifying companies to assess PowerMiser and EverOn memory compilers on 22nm, 28nm, or 40nm process technology, generating detailed datasheets on access times, dynamic power, and sleep modes.

Quantifiable outcome

• PowerMiser IP delivers up to 50% dynamic power savings and 20% leakage power savings versus foundry/competitive SRAM across full process, voltage and temperature range
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and strategic.

• Silicon CatalystcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 December 2025sureCore was named as one of six new In-Kind Partners (IKPs) in Silicon Catalyst's quantum ecosystem expansion, providing technical and business support across the full stack of quantum hardware and software tools for portfolio companies developing solutions for quantum computing, communications, and sensing. Silicon Catalyst is the only accelerator focused on the global semiconductor industry.
• KU LeuvencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 February 2025sureCore collaborated with KU Leuven (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven) in Belgium, enabling them to develop a 16nm neural processing accelerator chip for AI applications using PowerMiser IP. The chip achieved dynamic power savings exceeding 40% compared to industry standard SRAM. The project was led by Professor Wim Dehaene in the MICAS research division of KU Leuven's electrical engineering department, which focuses on integrated circuit design including low power digital circuits, memory, and in-memory computing.
• Sarcina TechnologycoreTechnology or Integration · 17 December 2024sureCore partnered with packaging specialist Sarcina Technology following the launch of its cryogenic IP range. Sarcina designed a custom BGA package specifically for cryogenic temperature operation to support sureCore's CryoMem IP and cryo-CMOS control chip customers. The partnership ensures reliable, robust cryo-ready chip packaging for the harsh low-temperature environments inside cryostats. Sarcina's CEO Larry Zu noted the company's reputation as the go-to design expert for extreme packaging challenges.
• Shanghai LoMicro Information Technology Co. LtdstrategicChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 16 May 2022sureCore appointed Shanghai LoMicro Information Technology Co. Ltd to support its growing presence in the dynamic Chinese market. Founded in 2011, LoMicro has over a decade of focus on supporting IP and EDA companies in China, with a team having over 20 years of semiconductor industry experience. Their goal is to help Chinese design houses with innovative technologies from companies worldwide.
• Zepp HealthcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 10 March 2022Zepp Health, a market leader in digital health management and one of the largest global developers of smart wearable health devices, licensed sureCore's EverOn ultra-low voltage SRAM IP. The partnership enables Zepp to deliver improved computing efficiency at reduced power for its family of wearable health monitoring products. Zepp studied the lowest power memories available before selecting sureCore.
• Taiwan Dream Services Company (TDSC)strategicChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 7 March 2022sureCore appointed Taiwan Dream Services Company (TDSC) as its sales agent and local technical support centre for the APAC region covering Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan. TDSC has an experienced team providing business development and support for IP, EDA and design services companies with an established network of potential customers in the semiconductor industry.
• SemidynamicscoreTechnology or Integration · 18 November 2021sureCore designed a power and area efficient, high performance, multi-port embedded memory and register file solution for Semidynamics' new RISC-V-based tensor processing chip for AI applications. The solution delivered performance exceeding 2.5GHz with compelling area and power characteristics, enabling optimal PPA configuration for the AI chip.
• Innovate UK Consortium (CryoCMOS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 November 2021sureCore led a seven-member consortium awarded a £6.5M Innovate UK grant to develop cryogenic semiconductor IP for quantum computing. Consortium members include: Universal Quantum (end user needs), SEEQC UK (end user needs), SemiWise (cryogenic PDK development), University of Glasgow (cryogenic research), Synopsys (TCAD tools), Oxford Instruments (cryogenic systems), and Agile Analog (cryogenic analogue IP). The project aims to develop and prove a suite of foundation CryoCMOS IP that can be licensed to designers for creating custom quantum computing control ASICs.
• Universal QuantumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 November 2021Universal Quantum is a key consortium partner in the £6.5M Innovate UK CryoCMOS project led by sureCore. Their modular ion-trap-based quantum computing hardware architecture will directly benefit from cryogenic IP developed by the project. Unique among QC architectures, their 70K operating environment is relatively warm compared to sub-4K superconducting qubit systems.
• Oxford InstrumentsstrategicTechnology or Integration · 5 November 2021Oxford Instruments NanoScience is a consortium partner providing cryogenic systems expertise and ultra-low temperature environmental know-how for chip characterization requirements within the Innovate UK CryoCMOS project. Their expertise supports the consortium's chip characterization at cryogenic temperatures.
• SynopsysstrategicTechnology or Integration · 5 November 2021Synopsys is a consortium partner in the Innovate UK CryoCMOS project, providing Sentaurus TCAD framework and TCAD to SPICE tools for design technology co-optimization of Cryo-CMOS circuits, enabling optimal performance-power-area-yield in the new application area.
• University of GlasgowstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 November 2021The University of Glasgow's quantum research group (led by Professor Martin Weides) and SemiWise collaborate on the CryoCMOS project to accurately model transistor behavior at cryogenic temperatures. The university is an internationally recognized centre of excellence in quantum technology.
• SEEQC UKstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 November 2021SEEQC UK is a consortium partner representing end user needs in the Innovate UK CryoCMOS project. Their cryogenic logic is at the core of SEEQC's unique quantum computing platform using all-digital Single Flux Quantum (SFQ) architecture that can operate at the same temperatures as qubits.
• SemiWisestrategicTechnology or Integration · 5 November 2021SemiWise is a consortium partner responsible for developing the cryogenic version of the foundry PDK and enabling SRAM and circuit design at cryogenic temperatures. Professor Asen Asenov is CEO of SemiWise. Their work re-centers foundry PDK models for 4K to 77K operation.
• Agile AnalogstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 November 2021Agile Analog (based in Cambridge) was a member of the Innovate UK CryoCMOS consortium contributing analogue IP expertise to the development of cryogenic semiconductor IP for quantum computing.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Synopsys: Through its DesignWare portfolio, Synopsys offers embedded memory compilers and SRAM IP across a wide process range. It competes head-to-head with sureCore in embedded memory licensing but bundles memory IP with processors, interfaces, and EDA tools at a scale and ecosystem breadth sureCore cannot match.
• ARM (Artisan Physical IP): ARM's Artisan physical IP family includes embedded SRAM compilers and memory IP widely licensed with Cortex processors. It is a broad incumbent offering that overlaps with sureCore's general-purpose low-power memory but is typically chosen for ecosystem integration rather than extreme low-power optimization.
• Cadence: Cadence provides embedded memory IP and memory compilers as part of its broader IP and EDA portfolio, overlapping with sureCore at mainstream nodes. Cadence bundles memory IP with its implementation flow, presenting a bundled alternative to standalone specialists like sureCore.

Direct peers

• VeriSilicon: VeriSilicon is a fabless semiconductor IP company offering a broad IP catalog that includes embedded memory compilers. It is the closest direct peer to sureCore as a similarly-sized, similarly-positioned IP vendor licensing memory IP across multiple foundries and process nodes.
• M31 Technology: M31 is a Taiwan-based fabless IP company providing memory compilers, foundation IP, and interface IP across TSMC and other foundries. It is a direct competitor to sureCore in embedded memory IP, with comparable scale and a similar licensing-led business model focused on Asian fabless customers.

Emerging players

• Attopsemi Technology: Attopsemi is a Taiwan-based specialty memory IP company focused on one-time-programmable and embedded NVM IP. While not a direct SRAM competitor, it operates in adjacent non-volatile memory IP and serves a similar customer base of Asian fabless designers.
• Vidatronic: Vidatronic provides analog and memory IP for low-power SoCs. It overlaps with sureCore on low-power design ethos and embedded memory but is more analog-focused, and competes for similar low-power SoC design wins in wearables and IoT.

Others

• Arteris: Arteris is a small-cap IP company specializing in network-on-chip (NoC) interconnect IP. While not a memory IP competitor, it is a comparable-sized, IP-only semiconductor company with a similar capital-light licensing model serving SoC developers.
• Alphawave Semi: Alphawave Semi is a connectivity-focused IP company (SerDes, UCIe, chiplet) that has scaled via licensing to hyperscaler and AI customers. It is thematically adjacent as a specialist IP vendor, though its product focus is high-speed connectivity rather than memory.
• Agile Analog: Agile Analog is a UK-based analog and mixed-signal IP company that is a consortium partner in sureCore's Innovate UK CryoCMOS project. It is adjacent in the low-power IP ecosystem and a relevant peer in scale and product specialization, though its analog focus differentiates it from sureCore's memory IP core.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/surecore-ltd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds5 records

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SURECORE