ICON Design Automation

What ICON Design Automation does

ICON Design Automation Private Limited is a Bangalore-based, private Indian technology firm founded in 1997 that operates in the electronic design automation (EDA) and monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) design space. Historically a small (11–50 employee) specialist design services house, the company expanded its commercial offering on January 11, 2024 by completing a Transfer of Technology (ToT) of a space-grade Modem ASIC originally developed by the Space Applications Centre (SAC) of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), channeled through NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) and authorized under IN-SPACe.

The company's core commercial product is the Modem ASIC — an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit designed for satellite and space communication modems — built on licensed ISRO heritage IP. Its prior and continuing line of work covers EDA solutions and MMIC product development, serving customers who require custom analog/RF silicon and design tooling support. The differentiation rests on access to flight-proven, ISRO-developed modem ASIC technology via NSIL's authorized technology transfer mechanism.

ICON's business model combines traditional EDA design services and MMIC development with the licensing and commercialization of the transferred Modem ASIC IP. Pricing is not publicly disclosed. The customer base is concentrated in the space and satellite communication vertical, with the ToT positioning ICON as an authorized Indian commercial supplier of space-grade modem silicon to satellite program stakeholders. There is no disclosed evidence of external institutional funding, parent company ownership, or large-scale commercial distribution; the company appears to operate as an independent, closely-held private entity.

Name

ICON Design Automation

Legal name

ICON Design Automation Private Limited

Website

https://icon-dapl.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ICON Design Automation is a Bangalore-based private Indian firm, founded 1997, offering EDA services, MMIC design, and a space-grade Modem ASIC licensed from ISRO's Space Applications Centre via NSIL for satellite communication customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Space-grade Semiconductor ASIC Design

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760)

akta.pro primary industry

Custom & Application-Specific ASIC Design Services (HDAHABAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Analog/Mixed-Signal & RF EDA Tools (HDAHAFAB), Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD), EDA Software Platforms (Digital Implementation, Verification & Signoff) (HDAHAFAA)

Keywords

• EDA solutions
• MMIC design
• Space-grade ASIC
• Satellite modem chips
• Semiconductor design

Headquarters

HQ city

Bangalore

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations

Core offering

ICON Design Automation designs and supplies the Modem ASIC, a space-grade Application-Specific Integrated Circuit for satellite and space communication modem applications, based on technology transferred from ISRO's Space Applications Centre (SAC). The company also offers Electronic Design Automation (EDA) solutions and specializes in MMIC (Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit) product development for aerospace and defense customers.

Product overview

ICON Design Automation Private Limited is an Indian aerospace technology company that offers the Modem ASIC — a space-grade Application-Specific Integrated Circuit for satellite modem applications, developed through Transfer of Technology from the Space Applications Centre (SAC) of ISRO, facilitated by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) and IN-SPACe.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• NewSpace India Limited (NSIL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 January 2024NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) facilitated the Transfer of Technology (ToT) of Modem ASIC developed by Space Applications Centre (SAC), ISRO to ICON Design Automation Private Limited. The ToT was successfully completed on January 11, 2024. NSIL operates as the commercial arm of ISRO and handles technology transfer and commercialization of space technologies.
• Space Applications Centre (SAC), ISROcoreTechnology or IntegrationSpace Applications Centre (SAC), a premier centre of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), developed the Modem ASIC technology. SAC has transferred this technology to ICON Design Automation through NSIL's authorization. This represents a significant technology transfer from India's primary space research institution.
• IN-SPACecoreOthersIN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre) is mentioned alongside NSIL in the Transfer of Technology agreement. IN-SPACe acts as the regulatory body that promotes and authorizes space activities in India, working in conjunction with NSIL for technology transfer processes.

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Cadence Design Systems: EDA platform vendor with strong analog/RF and MMIC design flows (Virtuoso, AWR), directly aligned with ICON's MMIC specialization, plus a broad IP portfolio covering space-grade interfaces.
• Siemens EDA: EDA division of Siemens (formerly Mentor Graphics) providing digital and mixed-signal IC design tools used by fabless semiconductor firms including those targeting aerospace and defense. Comparable to ICON on the EDA tooling side.
• Microchip Technology: U.S. semiconductor incumbent supplying radiation-hardened and radiation-tolerant microcontrollers, FPGAs, and ASICs for space programs. Competes with ICON for space-grade modem/processor sockets but at far greater scale and with longer flight heritage.
• Synopsys: Global EDA leader offering digital, analog/RF, and verification platforms as well as silicon IP for space and aerospace applications. Comparable to ICON's EDA + ASIC positioning, but at vastly greater scale and breadth.
• Xilinx (AMD): Provider of space-grade FPGAs and adaptive SoCs widely used in satellite modems and on-board processing. Represents a competing implementation technology for satellite modem functionality versus ICON's ASIC approach.

Direct peers

• Mistral Solutions: India-based embedded systems and aerospace/ defense electronics company offering design services and product solutions for satellite and space applications. Comparable India-based aerospace electronics design services profile.
• Saankhya Labs: India-based fabless semiconductor company developing satellite communication chipsets, including modem and RF ICs for direct-to-home and emerging satellite applications. Closest functional peer to ICON's space-grade Modem ASIC focus.
• Sankalp Semiconductor: India-based fabless ASIC design services firm offering analog, mixed-signal, and RF IC design — now part of HCLTech. Directly comparable to ICON's custom ASIC design services and India fabless heritage.

Emerging players

• Mindgrove Technologies: India-based fabless startup designing RISC-V based SoCs and analog/mixed-signal ICs for industrial and emerging applications. Comparable early-stage India fabless profile to ICON with overlap on mixed-signal design services.

Others

• Bharat Electronics Limited: Indian public-sector defense and space electronics manufacturer supplying satellite communication subsystems and modems. Comparable to ICON as a domestic Indian supplier into space/satellite communication programs, though at much larger scale and broader portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 ICON Design Automation