The SEMI Startups for Sustainable Semiconductors Program – or S3 – connects promising climate technology startups with many of the industry’s largest Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) firms. For startups interested in applying their solutions to improving sustainable practices within the semiconductor industry, the call for applications is open until May 1.
After applications have been submitted, finalists will pitch their solutions to an audience at this year’s SEMICON West, taking place from October 7-9 in Phoenix, Arizona.
Solutions of Interest – 2025 S3 Categories
Each year, sponsors choose priority categories for sustainability-related solutions. This year’s categories include:
- Sustainable and efficient solutions for data centers, including thermal management, power management, and systems and components
- Generative AI, software, and other AI solutions for alternative materials discovery, device and physics simulation, energy-efficient chip design, and end-to-end sustainable product design
- More sustainable solutions for energy and materials, including new process designs for lower energy intensity, energy tracking and management software, emissions control and abatement, water solutions, PFAS destruction, and recycling solutions
All startups that address any of these areas are encouraged to apply.
Why Apply for S3?
Startups that apply for S3 can benefit from the following.
- Mentorship from industry experts on how to break into the semiconductor industry, even if your startup had never previously considered the semiconductor market for its products or services
- Proof of concept (POC) and pilot partnership opportunities
- Exposure to major semiconductor industry leaders
- Potential investments from both CVCs and venture capitalists (VCs) throughout the program and final pitch event
- Additional public relations opportunities as a result of the program
S3 Performance Report
To help prepare for the 2025 competition, the S3 team conducted a review of the application process to develop a report card of key performance indicators. After assessing three years’ worth of data from over 150 startup teams, notable takeaways from the report are as follows.
- The S3 program provides startups with a 4.1% chance of securing a scaled customer. To date, S3 has enabled eight direct VC investments, 34 first-of-their-kind proof of concepts, and seven sustainability innovations that have scaled into initial production.
- One in three startups reviewed by internal subject matter experts moves into a POC
- One in five startups that secure a POC move into a scaled deployment
- One in two startups that move into scaled deployment receive direct investment from the CVC arm of the company
- Approximately one in 30 startups are successful at a first-scaled deployment with a semiconductor customer
By providing footholds into the semiconductor ecosystem through mentoring and customer introductions, S3 offers the opportunity for startups to strategically solve pressing, real-world technological challenges.
Forward Statements
To achieve a more sustainable semiconductor industry, we must move faster. The longer humanity takes to resolve unsustainable practices, the more expensive solutions will become. Through collaboration and competition, we can advance development on a larger, more efficient scale.
To learn more, download the full report.
John Wei joined Applied Ventures in 2020. He focuses on a range of deep tech areas and industry verticals, including advanced materials, display, and Industry 4.0 technologies. He also manages Applied Ventures’ investment activities in the Greater China region.
Prior to joining Applied Ventures, Wei was a key member of the SABIC Ventures investment team, where he led multiple investments in advanced materials, display, energy & sustainability, and manufacturing space in North America, Europe, and China. Earlier in his career, Wei held various commercial and technical roles at The Linde Group and General Electric with domain expertise in the petrochemical, power generation, alternative energy and oil & gas industries.
