SiGe pioneer joins semiconductor start-up

AdvanceSis, the start-up company spun out of the University of Warwick, UK, has appointed Dr Derek Houghton, previously founder of SiGe Semiconductor, to the position of CEO. AdvanceSis (www.advancesis.com) was set up with funding from the Mercia Fund and Seven Spires Investments Ltd to exploit intellectual property from the University of Warwick's physics department.

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The company is developing virtual substrates for applications in CMOS microelectronics and optoelectronics, with an emphasis on the development of manufacturable processes for high germanium content, low defect silicon germanium substrates.

Dr Houghton founded SiGe Semiconductor in 1996, building on a decade of pioneering research and development work at Canada's National Research Council (NRC) in SiGe device and process technology. He joins AdvanceSis from Aixtron, where he was director of sales and marketing for silicon technology, being responsible for all aspects of SiGe, strained silicon and other silicon platforms. Houghton has over 20 years experience in the semiconductor sector, including hands-on roles in R&D, marketing, strategic business development, start-up company leadership, and the successful raising of venture capital finance.

His international business experience covers the USA, Canada, Japan, UK and Germany and he has a track record in the management and commercial exploitation of innovative R&D. In addition to his roles in Aixtron and SiGe Semiconductor, Houghton also worked at British Telecom, Nortel Networks and Hitachi.

Houghton recently received the 2004 entrepreneur of the year award from Canada's national laboratory, NRC, in recognition of his success in building out SiGe Semiconductor.

Dr Robin Godfrey, who founded the company with Professor Evan Parker and Dr. Tim Grasby, and who has acted as interim CEO said, “This is another exciting milestone in the development of AdvanceSis as one of the leaders in engineered silicon substrates. Derek has demonstrated the rare blend of skills necessary to build a world class business from disruptive semiconductor technology, and we look forward to working with him to achieve yet more success with AdvanceSis.”

Ian Page of Seven Spires Investments (www.sevenspires.co.uk), an 'angel' investment fund, said that since their major investment in November 2004 the company has made excellent progress in developing a world-class technology. “The appointment of Derek ensures that this is now complemented by equally excellent skills and experience in bringing state-of-art, innovative technology to the semiconductor marketplace. AdvanceSis is one of the most exciting companies in our portfolio and I am proud to be associated with the Company.”

Derek Houghton said, “I am truly excited about the tremendous commercial opportunity at AdvanceSis. The team is world class and the breakthrough potential of its technology is enormous, given the industry's appetite for a manufacturable solution in Strained Silicon. It will be my privilege to lead the company, bringing value to our customers and partners by boosting CMOS performance and leveraging unique products.”

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© Chilli Publishing Ltd 2005

27JUN2005