Semiconductors & AI Take Center Stage
XTC Startup Cup Drives Sustainable Innovation at CES 2025
As Extreme Tech Challenge (XTC)Founder Young Sohn put it, “Ten years ago, if you said you had a chip startup, everyone would run away. Now, it’s taking center stage in venture investing.”
This seismic shift was on full display at the XTC’s Semiconductors & AI Innovation Startup Cup, sponsored by industry giants Arm and Hon Hai Technology Group (better known as Foxconn).
Chips are now an essential part of modern technology—without Arm, there would be no mobile phones; without Intel, no PCs; and without NVIDIA, AI training would be far more challenging. However, today’s chips consume significant power, and there is a growing recognition that we can design them to be far more efficient.
The Semiconductors & AI Innovation Startup Cup was created to accelerate advancements in chips, AI software and data center technologies that are inherently climate positive. The competition offers unparalleled global exposure for participating startups, with opportunities to connect with corporate leaders, VCs, and potential partners.
“Semiconductors and [AI] are two key technologies that will help drive sustainable growth for all of us,” said Young Liu, Chairman of Hon Hai Technology Group. “With XTC, we have the opportunity to see how emerging startups are leveraging these powerful and versatile technologies to innovate for the greater good.”
The Elite Eight
The competition began on October 28, 2024, at XTC’s Semiconductors & AI Innovation Forum, held alongside TechCrunch Disrupt in San Francisco. With the support of sponsors Foley & Lardner LLP and CBRE, participating startups gathered at the breathtaking 46th-floor event space in the Salesforce Tower, which offered stunning panoramic views of the city.
Detailed Recap HERE
Watch the Event Videos HERE
After a rigorous evaluation by a panel of seasoned judges, 24 exceptional startups were named Semifinalists. At the end of the evening, Will Abbey, EVP and Chief Commercial Officer of Arm, announced the elite 8 startups moving on as Finalists. These startups went on to pitch live at the Finals, which took place at CES 2025 on January 7.
“With great power comes great responsibility,” said Abbey. “At Arm, we take seriously the need to ensure that the potential of AI benefits both people and the planet. That’s why we are so inspired by all the startups in this competition that are driving meaningful, sustainable impact.”
To see all 24 Semifinalists, 8 Finalists, 2 Winners and the Special Award Winner, check out our 2024 Lookbook (p.66-77)
The Grand Finale at CES 2025
The stakes were high when the Top 8 Finalists took the stage at CES 2025. The Eureka Park Pavilion was buzzing with excitement as over 100 attendees packed the Startup Stage seating area to witness the live pitches.
Watch the full CES session HERE.
Young Sohn, Will Abbey, and Robert Schlaeger, Chief Communication Officer of Foxconn USA, were on hand to greet the finalists and cheer them on. The presentations were fast-paced and inventive, showcasing everything from ultra-low power AI microprocessors, to innovations in integrated circuit cybersecurity, to sustainable solutions for detecting GenAI content.
And the Winners Are…
After the final pitches, the judges announced the winners across three categories, marking the culmination of months of hard work. Here’s a breakdown of the categories and the winners:
- Semiconductors & Ecosystem
This category recognizes groundbreaking innovations that advance semiconductor technologies and strengthen the broader ecosystem. Young Sohn announced ATLANT 3D (Denmark) as the winner for its atomic-scale manufacturing platform, which revolutionizes microelectronics and optics production. - AI and Data Infrastructure
Focused on hardware and software solutions that support AI and machine learning workloads, this category highlights technologies driving the future of AI. Robert Schlaeger named Phanofi (Denmark) as the winner, praising its contributions to energy-efficient connectivity solutions. - Special Award: Data Center Efficiency
This award honors breakthroughs in making data centers more sustainable and energy-efficient. Will Abbey announced Phanofi as the winner for its pioneering work in energy-efficient, high-speed intra-datacenter connectivity.
Resounding Success
The competition showcased the tremendous strides being made in semiconductors, AI, and sustainable technology, as well as the incredible potential of these startups to transform industries while addressing critical global challenges.
The audience and sponsors were highly impressed by the quality of the startups’ innovations and their business development progress.
The startups, in turn, were thrilled with the exposure to investors and the opportunity to receive evaluation and feedback from such an exceptional panel of judges.
See Testimonial Videos HERE and HERE.
Overall, The Semiconductors & AI Innovation Startup Cup proved to be a resounding success, fostering a thriving community of innovators and accelerating investments in potentially world-changing young companies.
Key Takeaways
The hosts and sponsors shared insights that highlighted the value of the competition and the importance of semiconductors and AI in driving innovation and sustainability.
Young Sohn emphasized that semiconductors have reclaimed their role as the backbone of the data economy, enabling transformative advancements.
Will Abbey highlighted the critical importance of power efficiency, a core principle for Arm and a key to unlocking AI’s full potential.
Meanwhile, Robert Schlaeger reinforced Foxconn’s commitment to chip and AI innovation, noting that the company produces 40% of the world’s datacenter servers.
Together, these perspectives reflect the competition’s broader mission: to drive innovation, foster collaboration, and accelerate sustainable progress in semiconductors, AI, and beyond.
See all the photos and videos HERE.