VLSI System Design

What VLSI System Design does

VLSI System Design (VSD), legally VLSI System Design Corp. Pvt. Ltd., is a Bangalore-based, privately held open-source semiconductor ecosystem enabler founded in 2011 and operating with 1-10 employees. The company delivers an integrated stack of educational hardware (the VSDSquadron board family based on RISC-V and FPGA architectures), cloud-based training labs (VSD-IAT, scalable to 200+ users per cohort and 2000+ per month), and a content library of 41 online VLSI courses spanning RTL2GDSII flow, physical design, STA, analog IP, and FPGA design, delivered across 151 countries in 47 languages. VSD's core technology rests on open-source EDA tools (OpenROAD, OpenLANE, qflow, FOSSEE eSim), the SkyWater 130nm open PDK, and the Google/Efabless shuttle program, enabling end-to-end silicon tapeout experiences for students and professionals.

Name

VLSI System Design

Legal name

VLSI System Design Corp. Pvt. Ltd.

Website

https://vlsisystemdesign.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

VSD is a Bangalore-based open-source semiconductor education platform that sells RISC-V development boards, online VLSI courses, and cloud tapeout workshops to engineering students, working professionals, and hardware hobbyists globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Semiconductor Design Education and Training

NAICS

Computer Training (61142), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (5415)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

Design Services & ASIC/SoC Implementation (EDA-Adjacent) (HDAHAFAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Compute & Acceleration ICs (CPU/GPU/AI/FPGA/ASIC) (HDAHABAC)

Keywords

• VLSI design education
• RISC-V development boards
• Semiconductor training
• Open-source chip design
• Silicon tapeout services

Headquarters

HQ city

Bangalore

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Online Course Fees: Revenue from selling online VLSI courses on platforms like Udemy and through VSD's own website, including physical design flow, STA, SoC design, and RISC-V courses.
2. Hardware Product Sales: Sale of VSDSquadron development boards including VSDSquadron ($110), VSDSquadron Mini ($37), VSDSquadron FM ($49), VSDSquadron Pro ($130), and VSDSquadron Ultra ($130).
3. Workshop and Certification Programs: Revenue from intensive workshop programs such as VSD-IAT (5-day workshop), VSD-Hardware Design Program (10-week program at $450), and SoC Design and Implementation using Synopsys ($1100).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

VLSI System Design (VSD) operates an integrated open semiconductor design ecosystem that combines RISC-V/FPGA educational hardware development boards (VSDSquadron series priced $15–$130), online VLSI courses and Nasscom-certified training programs, a cloud-based assessment and lab platform (VSD-IAT), and end-to-end silicon tapeout services through the Google/Efabless open shuttle program. All offerings are anchored on a consistent SkyWater 130nm open-source technology node and open-source EDA toolchain (qflow, OpenROAD, OpenLANE).

Product overview

VLSI System Design (VSD) operates as an open semiconductor ecosystem enabler offering an integrated portfolio of educational hardware platforms, training programs, and tapeout services. The core product line consists of VSDSquadron development boards (Mini, FM, Pro, Ultra, and standard VSDSquadron) based on RISC-V and FPGA architectures, priced from $15 to $130, designed for learning RTL2GDSII chip design flow using open-source tools. The ecosystem is anchored by VSD-IAT (Intelligent Assessment Technology), a cloud-based training and assessment platform offering RTL2GDS VLSI tapeout workshops scalable to 2000+ users monthly. VSD complements its hardware with Nasscom-certified programs (Digital VLSI SoC, RISC-V MYTH), advanced courses covering RTL design, physical design, STA, analog IP design (bandgap, PLL, SRAM), and FPGA development, along with 10-week VSD-Hardware Design Program ($450) and Synopsys-backed SoC Design certification ($1100). The company provides end-to-end tapeout services enabling designs to reach silicon through Google/Efabless shuttle programs, supported by an open-source IP library of analog/mixed-signal, memory, and I/O cores. Community initiatives include VSDOpen (annual online semiconductor conference), hackathons, and the VSD RISC-V Roadshow across India. VSD positions itself around the mission of enabling chip design at zero cost through open-source EDA, cloud design labs, and accessible FPGA platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VSD IAT: VSD - Intelligent Assessment Technology (VSD-IAT) is an expertly built training platform offering high-intensity lab-based RTL2GDS VLSI tapeout workshops for freshers and mid-level professionals.
• VSDSquadron
• VSD-Hardware Design Program (VSD-HDP)
• VSDOpen
• Chip Design for High School (K-12 Program)
• VSD Intern

Products and services

• VSDSquadron RISC-V Educational Board Caravel RISC-V based educational board with RTL2GDSII flow based on open source tools; enables complete chip design learning from RTL to GDSII using open-source tools.
• VSDSquadron Mini CH32 RISC-V based lower power embedded board enabling edge RISC-V product development; designed for learning and prototyping at $37 per unit.
• VSDSquadron FM (FPGA Mini) ICE40UP5K based easy-to-use FPGA board with high LUT count for rapid prototyping of RISC-V designs; priced at $49 per unit.
• VSDSquadron Pro FE310-G002 RISC-V based advanced board supporting edge AI compute for higher-complexity applications; priced at $130 per unit.
• VSDSquadron Ultra THEJAS32 SoC based RISC-V development board powered by C-DAC's VEGA Processor; flagship educational and development kit priced at $130 per unit.
• VSD-IAT (Intelligent Assessment Technology) Cloud-based training and assessment platform offering high-intensity lab-based RTL2GDS VLSI tapeout workshops for freshers and mid-level professionals; scalable to 200+ users per cohort and close to 2,000+ users per month with 24/7 live QnA over Slack.
• VSD-Hardware Design Program (VSD-HDP) 10-week program on SoC design planning using the Google-SkyWater 130nm process node within the OpenLANE flow, covering standard cell design, physical design, and GDSII generation; priced at $450.
• SoC Design and Implementation using Synopsys (SFAL Program) Advanced program by SFAL, Synopsys, and VSD covering the complete SoC design process with real-world design projects, Synopsys tool access, GitHub documentation, and potential internship opportunities; priced at $1,100.
• Digital VLSI SoC Design and Planning (Nasscom Certification) Nasscom-certified program covering digital VLSI SoC design and planning; part of VSD's professional certification track.
• RISC-V MYTH (Nasscom Certification) Nasscom-certified RISC-V MYTH (Microprocessor for You in Thirty Hours) program teaching RISC-V architecture through design projects.
• Product Based RISC-V Skilling Program Program focused on exploring RISC-V ISA and its application in product-based environments with hands-on Verilog simulation, C and inline assembly, and processor-level insights; priced at $149.
• VSD Tapeout Program Tapeout program enabling student and designer designs to reach silicon manufacturing through Google/Efabless open shuttle programs; silicon tapeout has been achieved with IIIT Bangalore students.
• VSD Open-Source Semiconductor IP Library Catalog of open-source semiconductor IPs designed by VSD including analog/mixed-signal, memory, and I/O libraries for chip design reuse.
• Chip Design for High School (K-12 Program) Free educational program for students from 6th grade to early college that introduces chip design fundamentals and aims to democratize hardware design education at the school level.

Quantifiable outcome

• 35,900+ students trained across 151 countries
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• RISC-V InternationalcoreTechnology or IntegrationRISC-V is a featured partner/logo on VSD's supporter page. VSD's curriculum is heavily centered on RISC-V architecture with courses, boards (VSDSquadron), and intern programs focused on RISC-V ISA and implementation.
• SynopsyscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSynopsys is a logo supporter and collaborated on the SoC Design and Implementation program ($1100). Synopsys tools (Design Compiler) are used in VSD's advanced synthesis and STA courses.
• GooglecoreTechnology or IntegrationGoogle sponsors SkyWater Multi-Project Wafer shuttles and supports VSDOpen 2022 conference. Google and SkyWater open-sourced SkyWater 130nm technology which enables VSD's tapeout programs.
• SkyWater Technology FoundrycoreTechnology or IntegrationSkyWater provides the open-source 130nm PDK used in VSD's tapeout workshops and educational programs. The SkyWater 130nm process node is the consistent technology node used across all VSD courses.
• EfablesscoreTechnology or IntegrationEfabless provides the open shuttle program for VSD's community-based silicon tapeouts. VSD has taken students' designs through the Google/Efabless open shuttle program for tapeout.
• Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment ministry supporting VSD through Chip-to-Start Programme. MeitY logos appear on VSD's supporter page indicating direct government backing for semiconductor education initiatives.
• IIT MadrascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVSD has collaborated with IIT Madras on open-source activities and design projects. Prof. V. Kamakoti from IIT Madras gave the inauguration talk at VSDOpen 2022.
• IIT BombaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIIT Bombay students have participated in hackathons and VSD programs. Sumanto Kar from IIT Bombay gave a talk on hackathon impact at VSDOpen 2022.
• IIIT BangalorecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVSD collaborated with IIIT Bangalore for silicon tapeout and hosted the Ethical RISC-V IoT Workshop (May 9 to June 15, 2024). Prof. Nanditha Rao from IIIT Bangalore spoke on STEM education at VSDOpen 2022.
• IIT GuwahaticoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVSD has collaborated with IIT Guwahati on open-source activities and design projects.
• FOSSEE IIT BombaycoreTechnology or IntegrationFOSSEE (Free/Libre and Open Source Software for Education) provides eSim open-source EDA tool used in VSD courses for circuit design, simulation, and PCB design.
• OpenFPGAcoreTechnology or IntegrationOpenFPGA supports VSD's RISC-V on FPGA programs and is listed as a logo supporter. VSD's intern programs cover RISC-V on FPGA and OpenFPGA.
• Chips AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChips Alliance is a strategic partner. Robert Mains from Chips Alliance spoke on government steps to boost semiconductors at VSDOpen 2022.
• NIELITcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) is a logo supporter of VSD, indicating collaboration in electronics and IT training.
• SFAL (Synopsys, Framecad, Aacute, Lambda)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSFAL collaborated with Synopsys and VSD on the SoC Design and Implementation program ($1100), providing industry expert insights through real-world design projects.
• NasscomcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVSD offers Nasscom Certification Programs including Digital VLSI SoC Design and Planning, providing industry-recognized credentials.
• IIT HyderabadminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIIT Hyderabad is listed as a logo supporter of VSD, indicating collaborative relationship in semiconductor education.
• C-DAC (Centre for Development of Advanced Computing)coreTechnology or IntegrationVSDSquadron Ultra is powered by C-DAC's VEGA Processor. THEJAS32 SoC on the board is based on VEGA architecture, indicating deep technical integration.
• IIT Madras (OpenROAD)coreTechnology or IntegrationThe OpenROAD project (originating from UC San Diego but supported by multiple institutions) provides the open-source physical design flow used extensively in VSD's tapeout workshops.
• Semi FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSemi Foundation is listed as a logo supporter, indicating industry association backing for VSD's open-source semiconductor initiatives.
• OpenFPGA FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOpenFPGA Foundation supports VSD's RISC-V on FPGA programs, providing open-source FPGA infrastructure for student learning.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Maven Silicon: India-based VLSI training company offering RTL design, physical design, and verification courses to engineering students and working professionals. Directly comparable to VSD's core VLSI education business, with a similar target customer base in India.
• NPTEL (IIT/IISc): Government-backed platform offering free VLSI, RTL design, and semiconductor courses from IIT/IISc faculty. Comparable to VSD's online course portfolio, with a strong free-content threat dynamic in the same Indian learner market.
• VLSIGuru: Online VLSI training platform offering physical design, STA, and ASIC verification courses. Comparable to VSD in course-based monetization model and target learner segment of mid-level professionals.
• ChipEdge: VLSI and embedded systems training provider focused on Indian engineering students and fresh graduates. Directly comparable to VSD's professional upskilling segment, with overlapping curriculum in ASIC design and verification.

Broad incumbents

• Cadence Design Systems: Major EDA vendor offering certified training and university programs worldwide. Comparable to VSD's curriculum focus but as a much larger incumbent serving a broader semiconductor design market beyond education.
• Arduino: Global open-source hardware education platform with development boards and curriculum targeting hobbyists and K-12 students. Comparable to VSD on the hardware-enabled STEM education model, though focused on microcontrollers rather than chip design.
• Synopsys (Education Services): Global EDA leader that also runs certified training programs (including the SFAL SoC Design program co-branded with VSD). Overlaps with VSD's advanced training offerings, but operates at vastly larger scale as part of a full commercial EDA portfolio.
• Udemy: Global online course marketplace where VSD already distributes several of its VLSI courses. Comparable as a discovery and distribution channel for VSD's content, with overlapping customer base among self-directed engineering learners.

Others

• Efabless: Open-source chip platform running the Google/SkyWater shuttle program that VSD's tapeout programs depend on. A key ecosystem enabler for VSD rather than a direct competitor; comparable as part of the same open-source silicon stack.

Emerging players

• SiFive: RISC-V IP and SoC platform company that supplies the FE310-G002 chip used in VSDSquadron Pro. Comparable to VSD on the RISC-V ecosystem axis, but positioned as a commercial IP vendor rather than an educator.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/anagha_ghosh?lang=en
• GitHubgithub.com/vsdip
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC8xyENEltc3DXGbARgbC38A
• Facebookfacebook.com/vsdopen
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vlsi-system-design
• Instagraminstagram.com/vsdsquadron?igsh=bGI3bGNocXRtajJy&utm_source=qr

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

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 VLSI System Design