StarIC
StarIC is a Toronto-based fabless semiconductor company (~30 staff, founded 2019) that designs analog/mixed-signal and electro-photonic silicon IP — SerDes, TIAs, MRM drivers, and 70+ silicon-proven blocks — alongside custom silicon programs for AI, HPC, data centers, automotive, and Physical AI customers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersToronto, Canada
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What StarIC does
StarIC Inc. is a Toronto-headquartered, privately held fabless semiconductor company founded in 2019 that designs analog/mixed-signal (AMS) and electro-photonic silicon IP alongside custom silicon programs. Its portfolio spans high-speed SerDes (die-to-die, long-reach, and APX PHY), silicon photonic interface IP (TIAs and micro-ring modulator drivers up to 100 Gbps NRZ/PAM4 on GlobalFoundries Fotonix), precision data converters, intelligent edge interfaces, and analog/power foundation blocks, with the catalog reaching 70+ silicon-proven IP blocks. The company's differentiator is operating at the intersection of high-speed electronics and silicon photonics — designing the full electro-photonic link across monolithic, multi-die, and 3D-stacked assemblies on advanced CMOS nodes including GF 22FDX and GF Fotonix.
The business operates three revenue streams: (1) silicon IP licensing (one-time/perpetual, individual IP blocks or bundles), (2) custom silicon / ASIC programs (professional services spanning architecture, tapeout, and silicon validation, with a discovery-phase engagement to de-risk programs), and (3) platform solutions tied to ecosystem partnerships such as Inova Semiconductors' APXpress. Go-to-market is direct enterprise field sales supplemented by Redtree Solutions as Pan-European sales representative and ecosystem co-marketing through GlobalFoundries, PhotonDelta, and Inova. Customer segments are AI infrastructure and data centers, Physical AI and robotics, automotive zonal architectures, industrial automation, and the silicon photonics ecosystem.
The company employs approximately 30 professionals (roughly half holding PhDs, collectively ~400 years of design experience) across two global design centers in Toronto and Utrecht, Netherlands, with key strategic positions as a GF Fotonix design partner, PhotonDelta ecosystem member, and silicon-validated PHY provider for the Inova APXpress ecosystem (initial silicon on GF 22FDX announced June 2026). No venture funding rounds have been disclosed, indicating organic/bootstrapped growth, and pricing is quote-based across multi-year contracts with no public disclosure.
StarIC firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- StarIC
- Legal name
- StarIC Inc.
- Website
- https://staric.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- StarIC is a Toronto-based fabless semiconductor company (~30 staff, founded 2019) that designs analog/mixed-signal and electro-photonic silicon IP — SerDes, TIAs, MRM drivers, and 70+ silicon-proven blocks — alongside custom silicon programs for AI, HPC, data centers, automotive, and Physical AI customers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
StarIC industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Semiconductor Intellectual Property (Analog/Mixed-Signal & Silicon Photonics IP)
- NAICS
- Semiconductor and Related Device Manufacturing (334413)
- SIC
- Semiconductors & Related Devices (3674)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Custom & Application-Specific ASIC Design Services (HDAHABAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Interface ICs (USB/HDMI/SerDes/Level Shifters) (HDAHAIAD), Power Management & Power Conversion ICs (PMIC/DC‑DC/AC‑DC/Gate Drivers) (HDAHABAE)
Keywords
Where StarIC is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Toronto
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
StarIC business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Silicon IP Licensing: StarIC licenses individual IP blocks or bundles from its 70+ silicon-proven IP library. Licensing covers photonic interface IP, high-speed interconnect (SerDes, PHYs), precision data converters, intelligent edge interfaces, and analog foundation blocks. Bundle licensing is available at lower pricing for multiple IPs. Deliverables include GDS layout database, Liberty timing models (.lib), LEF layout exchange format, schematics, and integration support packages.
- Custom Silicon / ASIC Programs: Full custom analog/mixed-signal and electro-photonic silicon programs from architecture through validated silicon. Services span purpose-built circuit development (SerDes, data converters, clocking, sensor interfaces, photonic drivers/TIAs, power, control), top-level integration and tapeout (DRC/LVS closure, production-ready GDSII with documentation), and silicon validation (lab bring-up, characterization, correlation against design targets). Discovery phase engagement precedes full programs.
- Platform Solutions: Pre-built electro-photonic platform designs that can be tailored to customer applications. Includes electro-optical transceiver platforms across reach and data rates, silicon photonics platforms on GF Fotonix, and APXpress ecosystem solutions. Platforms are available for ecosystem partners building within Inova's APXpress ecosystem.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Individual IP Block Licensing |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Bundle IP Licensing |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom Silicon / ASIC Programs |
| Other | Multi-year contract | APXpress Ecosystem PHY Licensing |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
StarIC product offering
Product offeringCore offering
StarIC is a fabless semiconductor IP and custom silicon design company that architects the full electro-photonic link across advanced CMOS and silicon photonics platforms. It licenses 70+ silicon-proven analog/mixed-signal IP blocks (SerDes, TIAs, MRM drivers, ADCs, sensor interfaces, power management) and delivers ground-up custom silicon programs from architecture through tapeout and silicon validation for AI, HPC, data centers, automotive zonal architectures, and Physical AI/robotics customers.
Product overview
StarIC is a fabless semiconductor IP and custom silicon design company offering a portfolio of electro-photonic silicon solutions. The portfolio consists of four pillars: (1) Electro-Photonic Interconnect — high-speed transceivers, SerDes, and platform architecture from chip to system; (2) Silicon IP Library — 70+ silicon-proven blocks across photonic-electronic interface (TIA, MRM drivers), high-speed interconnect (die-to-die/short-reach SerDes, long-reach SerDes, APX PHY), precision data conversion (audio/sensor ADCs), intelligent edge interfaces (microphone, touch, sensors, power), and analog/power foundation (oscillators, LDOs, converters, I2C/SPI controllers); (3) Custom Silicon Programs — ground-up purpose-built AMS and photonic designs from architecture through tapeout and silicon validation; and (4) APXpress Ecosystem — a platform partnership with Inova Semiconductors delivering silicon-validated 16 Gbps APX PHY for Physical AI, robotics, and automotive zonal architectures on GlobalFoundries 22FDX®.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Electro-Photonic Interconnect Platform offering covering high-speed transceivers, SerDes, and silicon photonic systems that bridge electronics and photonics across monolithic silicon, multi-die, and 3D-stacked assemblies for AI, HPC, data centers, and Physical AI customers.
- Silicon IP Library Catalog of 70+ silicon-proven IP blocks available for individual or bundle licensing, covering photonic-electronic interface, high-speed interconnect, precision data conversion, intelligent edge interfaces, and analog/power foundation blocks. Deliverables include GDS layout database, Liberty timing models (.lib), LEF layout exchange format, schematics, and integration support packages.
- Custom Silicon Programs Ground-up custom analog/mixed-signal and electro-photonic silicon design from specification through tapeout and silicon validation, including SerDes, transceivers, data converters, photonic interfaces, sensor chains, and power management circuits. Engagements follow a discovery phase that de-risks projects before committing to full programs.
- APXpress Ecosystem PHY Inova Semiconductors' next-generation high-speed interconnect platform for Physical AI, robotics, and zonal automotive; StarIC delivers the silicon-validated 16 Gbps APX PHY with CTLE and 12-tap DFE for deterministic, time-synchronized connectivity.
- TIA - 100G NRZ (Transimpedance Amplifier) Up to 100 Gbps NRZ TIA on GF Fotonix, silicon-proven and GDS ready, for silicon photonic receivers in integrated transceiver designs.
- MRM Driver - 100G (Micro-Ring Modulator Driver) Up to 100 Gbps NRZ/PAM4 MRM driver on GF Fotonix, silicon-proven and GDS ready, optimized for micro-ring modulator transmitters in integrated transceiver designs.
- Long-Reach SerDes 32 Gbps PCIe-class links, 4-tap Tx FIR, CTLE, 12-tap DFE, targeting 30 dB insertion loss with asymmetric full-duplex architecture; silicon-proven with first silicon success for automotive, robotics, and Physical AI.
- APX PHY 16 Gbps asymmetric full-duplex PHY for the Inova APXpress ecosystem, built on StarIC's long-reach SerDes (4-tap Tx FIR, CTLE, 12-tap DFE, ~30 dB IL target); silicon validated with Inova on GlobalFoundries 22FDX.
- MRM Control Loop PHY Low-noise, low-power optical control loop with high-resolution ADCs, DACs, and digital control for wavelength stabilization, thermal tuning, and optical power control on monolithic silicon photonic platforms; under development for GF Fotonix.
Quantifiable outcome
- At least 10x higher performance compared to off-the-shelf standard IP products, improving overall system performance substantially
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use StarIC
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
StarIC technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
StarIC partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Inova SemiconductorscoreStarIC and Inova Semiconductors achieved initial silicon validation and early lab verification of a jointly developed high-speed interconnect on GlobalFoundries' 22FDX platform. StarIC provides the APX PHY (16 Gbps asymmetric full-duplex SerDes with 4-tap Tx FIR, CTLE, 12-tap DFE) as part of the Inova APXexpress ecosystem for Physical AI, robotics, automotive zonal architectures, and software-defined vehicles. This milestone validates the complementary engineering approach and marks a significant step toward production-ready APXexpress connectivity. Development is progressing toward production readiness over the coming months.
- PhotonDeltacoreStarIC joined PhotonDelta as an ecosystem partner, combining StarIC's electronics-for-photonics expertise with PhotonDelta's mission to accelerate the global integrated photonics industry. The collaboration helps fill a gap in the PhotonDelta ecosystem — expertise in electronics-for-photonics. StarIC supports integrated photonics innovations by providing purpose-built drivers, TIAs, SerDes, and control circuits for PICs. StarIC also opened a design center in Utrecht, Netherlands as part of its participation in the PhotonDelta ecosystem.
- GlobalFoundriescoreStarIC is a strategic design partner with GlobalFoundries on the GF Fotonix monolithic silicon photonics platform. The partnership delivers a library of silicon-proven Micro Ring Modulator (MRM) drivers and Transimpedance Amplifiers (TIAs) targeting NRZ and PAM4 data rates exceeding 100GS/s. GF Fotonix is the first monolithic platform combining differentiated photonics features and high-performance RF-CMOS on a silicon wafer. StarIC's MRM driver and TIA IP blocks help GF customers accelerate time to market with ultra-fast, ultra-efficient silicon photonics solutions.
- MIPS / Inova / GlobalFoundries (Reference Architecture)coreReference architecture collaboration involving MIPS, Inova Semiconductors, and GlobalFoundries for Physical AI robotics control platforms. StarIC's APX PHY provides the silicon-validated high-speed PHY layer connecting compute, actuators, and sensors on Inova's APXexpress backbone for the MIPS-Inova-GlobalFoundries Physical AI robotics control platform. This reference design demonstrates production-oriented Physical AI systems.
- Canada's Semiconductor CouncilminorStarIC joined Canada's Semiconductor Council (CSC) to shape Canada's semiconductor strategy. StarIC Co-founder and CEO Imran Ahmed takes a seat on the CSC advisory board to help accelerate the growth and development of Canada's semiconductor sector. This positions StarIC as a key contributor to national semiconductor policy and industry development.
- Redtree SolutionscoreStarIC appointed Redtree Solutions as its Pan-European sales representative to expand analog/mixed-signal IP and custom design reach across Europe. Redtree covers more than 20 countries across EMEA with more than 40 people and over 500 active customers. The partnership enables Redtree to complement its ASIC, foundry, and services ecosystem with StarIC's IP and ASIC capabilities in high-speed data communication, audio, MEMS sensor interfaces, power management, PLLs, ultra-low power, and high-speed DACs/ADCs.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
StarIC competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Blue Cheetah Analog Design: Die-to-die and chiplet SerDes IP specialist. StarIC's CSO Samir Patel was CEO of Blue Cheetah immediately prior to joining StarIC, and the two address highly overlapping customers (chiplet/automotive/AI) with similar analog SerDes IP.
- Alphawave Semi: Pure-play high-speed SerDes and connectivity IP provider for data center, AI, and 5G. Competes head-to-head with StarIC's SerDes and PHY IP targeting the same hyperscaler and AI-infrastructure customers.
- Silicon Creations: Fabless analog/mixed-signal IP provider offering PLLs, SerDes, ADCs, and power management IP across multiple foundry nodes. Directly comparable IP-portfolio model with overlapping customer set and licensing economics.
- Rambus: Analog/mixed-signal and SerDes IP company, having acquired AnalogX — where StarIC's CEO Imran Ahmed was COO/VP Technology. Rambus sells high-speed SerDes IP into the same data center and AI customer base StarIC targets.
Broad incumbents
- Marvell Technology: Data center and networking semiconductor company with DSPs, optical interconnect, and custom silicon offerings. Competes with StarIC at the system level for AI/HPC interconnect solutions and customer relationships.
- Cadence: Broad EDA, IP, and system design portfolio. Cadence's Design IP group offers SerDes and PHY IP alongside full implementation services, directly competing with StarIC in custom analog/SerDes engagements and IP licensing.
- Synopsys: Broad EDA and semiconductor IP portfolio including DesignWare SerDes, PCIe, Ethernet, DDR PHY, and a full custom design services organization. Competes with StarIC across both catalog IP and custom silicon engagements, particularly at hyperscaler and tier-1 OEM customers.
- Broadcom: Diversified semiconductor incumbent with leading SerDes, networking, and custom silicon (ASIC) businesses. Competes both for high-performance SerDes IP design wins and for custom ASIC programs targeting hyperscalers.
Emerging players
- Ayar Labs: In-package optical interconnect company for AI and HPC. Competes in the optical interconnect space where StarIC plays but takes a more vertically integrated optical-I/O approach. Strongly funded competitor with hyperscaler design wins.
- Inova Semiconductors: Fabless automotive semiconductor company developing APIX/APXpress high-speed connectivity. StarIC and Inova are joint-development partners on APXpress PHY, but Inova also represents an emerging alternative vendor for automotive zonal interconnects.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
StarIC social profiles
Digital presenceStarIC financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
StarIC leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
StarIC funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
StarIC M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about StarIC
What does StarIC do?
StarIC is a fabless semiconductor IP and custom silicon design company that architects the full electro-photonic link across advanced CMOS and silicon photonics platforms. It licenses 70+ silicon-proven analog/mixed-signal IP blocks (SerDes, TIAs, MRM drivers, ADCs, sensor interfaces, power management) and delivers ground-up custom silicon programs from architecture through tapeout and silicon validation for AI, HPC, data centers, automotive zonal architectures, and Physical AI/robotics customers.
Is StarIC a public or private company?
StarIC is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was StarIC founded?
StarIC was founded in 2019. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is StarIC based?
StarIC is headquartered in Toronto, Canada, in the North America region.
How does StarIC make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Silicon IP Licensing is the primary driver. The others are custom Silicon / ASIC Programs and platform Solutions.
Who are StarIC's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Blue Cheetah Analog Design, Alphawave Semi, Silicon Creations and Rambus. Broad incumbents are Marvell Technology, Cadence, Synopsys and Broadcom. Emerging players are Ayar Labs and Inova Semiconductors.
Does StarIC have an API?
No public API is recorded for StarIC.
What industry is StarIC in?
StarIC's product category is Semiconductor Intellectual Property (Analog/Mixed-Signal & Silicon Photonics IP). Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAHABAJ, Custom & Application-Specific ASIC Design Services, with a secondary code of HDAHAIAD, Interface ICs (USB/HDMI/SerDes/Level Shifters). Its NAICS code is 334413 and its SIC code is 3674.