Keynote Speaker
Naveed Sherwani, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer
Day 1 / 10:00 - 10:30
Dr. Naveed Sherwani is a world-renowned semiconductor expert, entrepreneur, and leader in chip design. He holds a PhD in computer engineering from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and his career spans academia, industry leadership, and entrepreneurship. Early in his career, he served as a professor at Western Michigan University before joining Intel in 1994, where he focused on design automation for complex chips.
Dr. Sherwani has founded or co-founded numerous influential semiconductor companies, including Open-Silicon, Brite Semiconductor, PeerNova, and Rapid Silicon. His ventures have been instrumental in advancing semiconductor technology, raising over $1 billion in funding across these projects. A key figure in the RISC-V movement, he has led the growth of companies like SiFive and SemiFive, contributing to the global rise of RISC-V technology.
In addition to his leadership roles in the private sector, Dr. Sherwani is the Chairman of the National Semiconductor Hub of the Kingdom, where he works on fostering innovation and semiconductor advancements at a national level. He continues to influence the global semiconductor landscape through his contributions to the RISC-V ecosystem and domain-specific FPGA innovations at Rapid Silicon.
Dr. Sherwani has authored multiple textbooks, including the widely-used “Algorithms for VLSI Physical Design Automation,” and has published over 125 technical papers. His leadership in both academia and the industry has earned him numerous accolades, including the Sitara-e-Quaid-e-Azam awarded by the President of Pakistan in 2019.
Company Profile
Keynote Speaker
Habib Hichri, Ph.D.
EVP, Senior Fellow, Global Applications and Business Development
Keynote: Material Science for High-Performance Packaging
Day 2 / 09:10 - 09:40
Education:
- PhD in Chemical Engineering
- MBA
Experience:
- Executive Vice President, Senior Fellow, Global Applications and Business Development at Ajinomoto Fine-Techno USA Corporation
- Vice President, Senior Fellow, Global Applications and Business Development at Ajinomoto Fine-Techno USA Corporation
- Senior Fellow, Global Applications and Business Development at Ajinomoto Fine-Techno USA Corporation.
Habib Hichri is an Executive Vice President, Senior Fellow Global Applications and Business Development at Ajinomoto Fine-Techno Corporation USA. Prior to joining AFT USA, Habib was Director of Applications Engineering at SUSS MicroTec Photonics Systems USA where he provided patterning solutions for advanced semiconductors packaging customers. Before joining SUSS MicroTec, Habib spent about 12 years with IBM Semiconductors Research and Development Center (IBM SRDC) in East Fishkill, NY where he worked as lead process integration engineer for microprocessor (IBM), games and communications chips. He later was promoted to management positions within IBM on process development in the front end of line area for microprocessor fabrication. Habib holds over 40 U.S. patents and authored over 75 publications and presentations and a book chapter in “Advances in Embedded and Fan-Out Wafer Level Packaging Technologies” (Wiley – IEEE) first Edition. Habib received Master and PhD degrees in Chemical Engineering from the Claude Bernard University at Lyon, France, and an MBA degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Habib is the chair of the Orange County California IEEE/Electronic Packaging Society (EPS) Chapter. He is also a member of the technical committees of Electronic Components and Technology Conference (ECTC), International Microelectronics Assembly and Packaging Society (IMAPS). He was the general chair of IMPAS 2020. Habib is IMAPS Society Fellow. He is currently member of the IMAPS executive council. Habib is Board member of International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative (iNEMI) since April 2024 and International Semiconductor Executive Group (ISEG) since April 2025.
Company Profile
Ajinomoto Fine-Techno Co., Inc. (AFT) is a subsidiary of the Ajinomoto Group responsible for the fine chemicals division. AFT (est. 1942) continues to deliver materials that can suit a wide range of customer needs in our four main strengths: molecular design, formulation, process development, and solutions. Our customers have commended us for our electronic materials. We have grown to play a major part in their value chains for electronics, automotive, and a variety of other products. We continue to refine our ability in materials science through research and development to continue creating value with our customers. We strive to provide the highest quality products, services, and information for our customers. Beyond our Ajinomoto Build-up film®, we’ve expanded our material portfolio to include molding, photo dielectric, magnetic, and optoelectronics. To maintain our leadership in our specified industry, we are devoted to providing state-of-the-art material, technology know-how, and customer service.
- Insulation film: Ajinomoto Build-up Film (ABF)
- Magnetic materials (Film and Liquid Format)
- Semiconductor encapsulants (AEF )
- Adhesives & Encapsulants (PLANSET)
- Functional adhesive / encapsulation film “AFTINNOVA EF series”
- Latent curing agent “AJICURE”
- Pigment dispersants, coupling agents
- Flame retardants, polymer co-stabilizer
- Activated carbon
Please visit the website: Product information – Ajinomoto Fine-Techno Co.,Inc. (aft-website.com)
Speaker
Chloe Ma
Chief Business Officer
From Power to Performance: EPIC Silicon Stack for the AI Era
Day 1 / 14:25 - 14:40
AI is rewriting compute—from chiplets and advanced packaging to cloud-to-edge specialization. This talk frames the industry shift (“design for AI”) and introduces EPIC Semi’s KSA-rooted answer: a sovereign silicon stack that turns power into performance across E·P·I·C—Edge AI (Echelon), Physical AI (Pegasus), IoT (Ionos), and Cloud AI (Contrail). We’ll outline the mission, the cloud-first portfolio, and a pragmatic strategy—partner to accelerate, acquire to anchor, and co-design with the Kingdom—to deliver outcomes, not parts, while compounding Saudi local content for Vision 2030 and beyond.
Chloe Jian Ma is Chief Business Officer at EPIC Semi, leading global partnerships, strategy, and go-to-market to build a KSA-rooted silicon portfolio for AI deployment from cloud to edge. A veteran of Arm, Intel, Mellanox, SiFive as well as tenure in networking system companies including Cisco System and Juniper Networks, she blends deep technical fluency (AI/ML, silicon, systems, robotics) with commercial execution. At Arm she led Edge AI & Robotics GTM and ecosystem growth; at Intel and Mellanox she drove cloud compute and networking solution marketing across the Super 7 hyperscalers. A frequent keynote speaker and recognized industry voice, Chloe holds an MBA from Wharton and an MSEE from USC.
Company Profile
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 will demand hundreds of billions of dollars in semiconductors—from edge to cloud. EPIC Semi is building a world-class, KSA-rooted fabless company to meet that demand with locally designed chips and IP. As Saudi Arabia’s 1st fabless semiconductor technology and solutions company, EPIC Semi is positioned at the forefront of the AI revolution, developing cutting-edge silicon solutions for the next generation of intelligent, immersive and interconnected applications. As a strong KSA-rooted brand, EPIC is creating an E+P+I+C portfolio of Edge AI, Physical AI, IoT and Cloud AI solutions to power AI computing from cloud to edge, enabling AI buildout with local innovation in Saudi Arabia, extending to Middle East and global markets.
EPIC’s extensive AI chip and solution portfolio addresses four critical market segments:1. EPIC Echelon™ — Edge AITiered, low-latency inference that lives where your data is born—factory lines, smart cities, and energy sites. Scale from single node to fleet without changing the control stack.2. EPIC Pegasus™ — Physical AIComputer vision, reasoning, planning, and actuation for robots and autonomous systems. From inspection to pick-and-place, Pegasus turns intent into safe, smooth motion.3. EPIC Ionos™ — IoT & InterconnectDeterministic device connectivity through cellular, WiFi/BLE or power line communications, with secure telemetry, and over-the-air control.4. EPIC Contrail™ — Cloud AIRich portfolio of modern CPU compute, AI accelerations, data center interconnect, memory and storage, and liquid cooling, to support state of the art AI data center build-out at rack scale.
Speaker
Mo Maghsoudnia
Founder & CEO
Day 2 / 12:15 - 12:30
Mo Maghsoudnia is the visionary Founder and dedicated CEO at the helm of UltraSense Systems, a pioneering company in the technology and manufacturing sector. With a track record of transformative leadership and innovation, Mo has been instrumental in shaping the industry landscape.
Before founding UltraSense, Mo Maghsoudnia made significant contributions as the Vice President of Technology & Manufacturing at InvenSense. In this influential role, he oversaw global operations and spearheaded the development of cutting-edge Process Technology. Under his guidance, InvenSense achieved remarkable success, culminating in its acquisition by TDK for a staggering $1.4 billion in 2017.
Prior to his tenure at InvenSense, Mo Maghsoudnia served as the Vice President of Manufacturing at NetLogic MicroSystems. Here, he demonstrated his exceptional ability to steer manufacturing operations, elevating the company from a single product line to a diversified product portfolio powerhouse. His adept leadership, combined with a diverse product range, paved the way for Broadcom’s acquisition of NetLogic MicroSystems for a
remarkable $4 billion in 2012.
Mo’s expertise is firmly rooted in his academic pursuits, holding a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from Santa Clara University. His passion for innovation is further underscored by his impressive intellectual property portfolio, boasting 12 patents, and an extensive list of research papers that he has authored.
Mo Maghsoudnia’s unwavering commitment to technological advancement and his exceptional leadership have left an indelible mark on the tech and manufacturing sectors, solidifying his status as a true industry luminary.
Company Profile
UltraSense Systems transforms driver touch interfaces in automotive with its In-Plane Sensing solutions, which enable multi-mode sensing, processing, and AI / Machine Learning algorithms to turn almost any surface into the ultimate touch experience. UltraSense In-Plane Sensing includes a SmartSurface Human Machine Interface (HMI) controller for programmable audio, illumination, haptics, and user feedback. When integrated into steering wheels, infotainment systems, and other in-vehicle interfaces, UltraSense offers a more intuitive and modern experience for drivers; a more integrated, easier to manufacture and thinner solution for tier-suppliers; and greater design options plus recyclability and sustainability benefits for automakers.
UltraSense TouchPoint HMI Controllers fully integrate multi-mode touch sensing, lighting control, and algorithm processing in a single chip – powering a new generation of Human-Machine Interfaces.
*UltraSense TouchPoint C-CapForce HMI Controller. Capacitive + Force integrated System on a Chip (SoC) controller including Analog Front End (AFE).
*UltraSense TouchPoint Z – UltraForce HMI Controller. Ultrasound + Force integrated SoC controller including AFE.
*UltraSense TouchPoint Q – TapForce HMI Controller. Piezoelectric Force sensing integrated SoC controller including AFE.
*UltraSense TouchPoint Edge – HMI SoC for cluster of buttons & slider capabilities. Integrated sensing and feedback control, MCU, AFE and Neural Touch Engine coupled with LIN communication.
Speaker
Anton Hofmeister
Group Vice President – GM Central R&D
Day 2 / 11:35 - 11:50
MEMS Driving Smart Systems from Europe to MENA
Anton Hofmeister is Group Vice President and General Manager of R&D in ST’s Analog, Power & Discrete, MEMS & Sensors Group. He is also Managing Director of ST’s German subsidiary since 2016.
Hofmeister joined Thomson Semiconductors (a predecessor company to STMicroelectronics) as a marketing engineer in 1986. He subsequently held management positions in product marketing, key account management and corporate strategic marketing. In 1997, Hofmeister was appointed Director of a System R&D team in San Diego, USA, and became subsequently Director of the Print Head Business Unit. In 2005, he was appointed General Manager of the Microfluidics Division and has broadened his responsibility with the MEMS Microactuator Division in 2015, managing the MEMS business for a variety of applications in Consumer Electronics, Automotive, Industrial, and Medical markets.
Hofmeister has served as a board member of the Singapore-based Molecular Diagnostics company Veredus Laboratories. He is currently a member of the Governing Council of the MEMS&Sensor Industry Group (MSIG) at SEMI and a board member of the European Association on Smart Systems Integration (EPoSS).
Anton Hofmeister was born in Munich and graduated with a Master’s degree in Engineering from the University of Munich.
Anton Hofmeister is Group Vice President and General Manager of R&D in ST’s Analog, Power & Discrete, MEMS & Sensors Group. He is also Managing Director of ST’s German subsidiary since 2016.
Hofmeister joined Thomson Semiconductors (a predecessor company to STMicroelectronics) as a marketing engineer in 1986. He subsequently held management positions in product marketing, key account management and corporate strategic marketing. In 1997, Hofmeister was appointed Director of a System R&D team in San Diego, USA, and became subsequently Director of the Print Head Business Unit. In 2005, he was appointed General Manager of the Microfluidics Division and has broadened his responsibility with the MEMS Microactuator Division in 2015, managing the MEMS business for a variety of applications in Consumer Electronics, Automotive, Industrial, and Medical markets.
Hofmeister has served as a board member of the Singapore-based Molecular Diagnostics company Veredus Laboratories. He is currently a member of the Governing Council of the MEMS&Sensor Industry Group (MSIG) at SEMI and a board member of the European Association on Smart Systems Integration (EPoSS).
Anton Hofmeister was born in Munich and graduated with a Master’s degree in Engineering from the University of Munich.
Company Profile
At ST, we are more than 50,000 creators and makers of semiconductor technologies mastering the semiconductor supply chain with state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. An integrated device manufacturer, we work with more than 200,000 customers and thousands of partners to design and build products, solutions, and ecosystems that address their challenges and opportunities, and the need to support a more sustainable world. Our technologies enable smarter mobility, more efficient power and energy management, and the wide-scale deployment of cloud-connected autonomous things. We are committed to achieving our goal to become carbon neutral on scope 1 and 2 and partially scope 3 by 2027. Further information can be found at www.st.com.
Speaker
Kieran Harney
Chief Executive Officer
Optical MEMS breaking performance barriers in sensors
Day 1 / 15:45 - 16:00
sensiBel is shipping the world’s first studio quality MEMS microphone using breakthrough optical MEMS technology. The optoKore(TM) platform that is the basis of the sensiBel SBM100B microphone will be used to create a wide range of other high-performance sensors. This technology is being scaled to address multi-billion unit opportunities in consumer, industrial and other markets. This presentation will outline the audio capture capabilities that are enabled with this 80dB SNR MEMS microphone and will describe some of the innovations that are at the heart of this technology.
Kieran Harney is CEO of sensiBel, a deep tech optical MEMS company. He has worked in the MEMS industry for over 30 years with over 20 years in the MEMS microphone business. He has held senior management positions at Analog Devices, InvenSense and TDK.
Kieran joined Analog Devices in 1986 in Ireland as a semiconductor packaging engineer. He was engineering manager in ADI Philippines for three years and then joined the ADI MEMS group in Cambridge Massachusetts in 1997 with responsible for assembly and test operations for MEMS accelerometers and gyroscopes. In 2004 he started a successful MEMS microphone product line that was sold to Invensense in 2013. He held senior management roles in Invensense and TDK in the MEMS microphone group.
He joined sensiBel in 2022 and served as COO before becoming CEO in 2025.
Kieran is from Limerick Ireland and has a Bachelor of Engineering and MBA from the University of Limerick.
Company Profile
sensiBel is a deep-tech company who has developed the new generation of optical MEMS microphones that deliver studio-quality sound in a miniature MEMS package. By replacing traditional capacitive sensing with advanced optical readout technology, sensiBel achieves unprecedented performance in signal-to-noise ratio, dynamic range, and sound fidelity. Founded by experts in micro-optics and acoustics, the company’s mission is to revolutionize how sound is captured across consumer electronics, professional audio, and industrial applications. With innovation at its core, sensiBel is redefining what’s possible in microphone technology.
SBM100B
The SBM100B is a high-performance MEMS microphone based on sensiBel’s deep-tech, patented optical technology platform. This microphone delivers studio-quality audio, with 80 dB SNR, 146 dB AOP and 24-bit audio, in a miniaturized package. By combining the MEMS system with advanced optical sensing, sensiBel’s technology enables crystal-clear audio capture in applications where high fidelity and small size are critical. These applications include microphone arrays, enterprise conferencing systems, industrial sound detection, spatial audio, high end smart phones and wearables.
Keynote Speaker
Oreste Donzella
Strategic Advisor, Board Member, Former C-Suite Executive
Day 1 / 10:30 - 11:00
A Semiconductor industry veteran with over three decades of experience in semiconductor manufacturing and capital equipment companies, holding various engineering and leadership positions at Texas Instruments, Micron Technology and KLA Corporation. Frequent keynote speaker at industry events and featured in several technical publications, awarded with VLSI Semiconductor All Star in 2020. Oreste is currently Senior Advisor at KLA, imec, KronosAI, AlixPartners, and ISIG and he serves the board of Aion Silicon and Synergie CAD group as independent director. Oreste earned his master’s degree in electrical engineering from the University La Sapienza in Rome, Italy
Company Profile
Speaker
Steve Stoffels, Ph.D.
CEO
Day 1 / 14:45 - 15:00
Steve Stoffels is an entrepreneur and technology leader with over 20 years of experience in deep-tech, medtech and integrated photonics. He is CEO and co-founder of Aluvia Photonics, the world’s first company dedicated to aluminum oxide photonic integrated circuits, advancing applications in telecommunications, quantum computing, AR/VR, healthcare, and AI data centers. Previously, he founded and served as CTO of Pulsify Medical, developing wearable ultrasound for continuous organ monitoring. Steve holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, an M.Sc. in Applied Physics (Magna Cum Laude), and was a visiting scholar at Stanford University. He is inventor on 10+ patents, author of 150+ papers, contributor to the European roadmap for power semiconductors, and a frequent invited speaker.
Company Profile
Aluvia Photonics is a pioneering photonic integrated circuit (PIC) platform provider, built on its proprietary aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) technology. As the first company worldwide dedicated to Al₂O₃ PICs, Aluvia offers unmatched advantages including ultra-low propagation losses, broad spectral transparency from UV to mid-infrared, high power handling, and on-chip optical amplification. Delivering amplification performance comparable to high-end fiber amplifiers, the Aluvia platform unlocks breakthroughs in quantum computing, advanced telecommunications, and LiDAR, while its wide transparency window also supports AR/VR and precision sensing applications.
Through partnerships with leading foundries, Aluvia ensures scalable, volume manufacturing and provides access to multi-project wafers, dedicated runs, and tailored processes that serve both emerging startups and established global leaders. With its unique material benefits and scalable platform model, Aluvia Photonics is accelerating the adoption of next-generation, high-performance PICs and strengthening Europe’s position at the forefront of integrated photonics.
Aluvia Photonics provides a cutting-edge integrated photonics platform based on our proprietary aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) technology. Our platform delivers unique advantages including ultra-low propagation losses, broad transparency from the UV to mid-infrared, high power handling, and on-chip optical amplification. These capabilities enable applications ranging from quantum computing and advanced telecommunications to LiDAR, AR/VR, and precision sensing.
To support diverse customer needs, Aluvia offers multiple engagement models. Customers can access our technology through multi-project wafer (MPW) runs, which provide cost-efficient prototyping and early testing. For advanced development, dedicated wafer runs and tailored process modules enable optimization for specific performance requirements and scaling to volume production.
Aluvia also collaborates closely with partners and end-users to accelerate innovation, providing tested dies, design support, and integration guidance. By combining unmatched material benefits with scalable, CMOS-fabrication compatible manufacturing, Aluvia delivers the foundation for next-generation photonic integrated circuits across multiple industries.
Speaker
Ara Philipossian, Ph.D.
Co-Founder, President and CEO
Revolutionizing Silicon Carbide Substrate Polishing via Environmentally-Conscious Slurry and Tool Designs
Day 2 / 13:10 - 13:20
Standard SiC polishing processes employ aggressive, environmentally harmful redox chemistries containing potassium permanganate to achieve acceptable polishing outcomes. Polisher wear and tear caused by such an aggressive chemical remains a significant concern. Instead, we have chosen a two-pronged approach to improve SiC polish. Firstly, we have patented a hydrogen peroxide-based SiC slurry containing alumina nanoparticles and aspartic acid complexes for final polishing. The second approach utilizes a novel polisher that we have designed, are now manufacturing, and are selling worldwide. We call our invention CARE-TEC® or “CAtalyst-Referred Etching Technology”. The technology employs a polymeric pad onto which a catalytic platinum or ruthenium film is sputtered. With pH-adjusted water as the slurry substitute, an electric potential is applied to the SiC substrate and the pad. The principal mechanism of polishing SiC is the continuous etching of the substrate by catalytically converting the top layers of SiC into monolayers of silicon dioxide, which are then removed mechanically (via polishing) at moderate pressures.
Dr. Ara Philipossian has been a professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Arizona since 2001, where he holds the Koshiyama Chair of Planarization. Since its establishment in 2004, he has also been the Co-Founder, President, and CEO of Araca Incorporated, the premier provider of services and equipment to the polishing and planarization industry worldwide. He received his BS, MS, and PhD in Chemical Engineering from Tufts University in 1983, 1985, and 1992, respectively. From 1992 to 2001, he was the Materials Technology Manager at Intel Corporation (Santa Clara, CA, USA), responsible for the development, characterization, implementation, and sustaining of new and existing CMP and post-CMP cleaning consumables, low-k dielectrics, and electroplating chemicals. From 1986 to 1992, he worked at Digital Equipment Corporation (Hudson, MA, USA) as a process development manager focusing on thermal silicon oxidation, diffusion, LPCVD of dielectric and gate electrodes, and wafer cleaning technology. Dr. Philipossian has authored approximately 180 archival journal publications and 210 conference proceedings articles. He holds 36 patents in semiconductor processing and device fabrication.
Company Profile
Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Tucson, AZ (USA), Araca Inc. provides unique, enabling, and fully customized solutions to our clients in IC planarization and semiconductor polishing for silicon and wide band-gap material applications. Clients include leading IC makers, consumables suppliers, OEMs, universities, and research centers. Our products lower the cost of ownership (COO) of CMP or polishing modules, allowing clients to save money and preserve the environment by reducing slurry and rinse water consumption, increasing pad and diamond disc life, while increasing polisher availability, throughput, and yield.
Our key equipment add-on products, namely, Flucto-CMP®, ESE-100® and the Slurry Injection System (SIS®) are compatible with all polishers. SIS® continues to be rapidly adopted in HVM due to its proven COO and environmental benefits, while Flucto-CMP® is undergoing extensive beta-testing at multiple major OEMs. We provide sensorized and affordable polishers-tribometers and PVA brush scrubbers-tribometers (up to 300 mm wafers), which offer significant reductions in process and consumables characterization costs and R&D expenses. CARE-TEC® is our revolutionary SiC and GaN final polishing system; it requires no slurry or conditioning disc. In our brand-new Class 100 clean room at the University of Arizona, we provide research and foundry services for all sizes and types of substrates. We perform high-quality and highly scientific analytical and functional tests on pads, slurries, conditioners, retaining rings, brushes, and cleaning chemicals. Our pad surface preparation and grooving services are second to none. We develop customized CMP, polishing, and cleaning consumables and processes for various applications, including SiC and GaN, and remain open to co-development programs. We also offer delayering services for 3D NAND and DRAM structures for diagnostics.
Speaker
Giorgia Longobardi, Ph.D.
Founder and CEO
Day 1 / 15:25 - 15:40
Dr. Giorgia Longobardi, founder and CEO of Cambridge GaN Devices (CGD), is an accomplished engineer and business leader with nearly two decades of experience in power semiconductors and high-efficiency power electronics. As the inventor of several high-impact patents in GaN power devices, she combines deep technical expertise with strong commercial acumen—one of her greatest strengths.
Driven by curiosity and a passion for making a positive impact, Giorgia founded CGD to bring advanced, energy-efficient power electronics solutions to market. She now leads a diverse team of 60+ employees across Europe, Asia, the US, and Canada. Under her leadership, CGD has raised over $65 million in private and public investment and launched multiple GaN-based power device products into mass production. Her vision includes one day driving an electric vehicle powered by CGD technology and using ICeGaN to help make AI more sustainable by reducing its environmental footprint.
Giorgia serves on the Energy Management Committee of the Power Sources Manufacturers Association (PSMA) and the Advisory Board of the International Semiconductor Industry Group (I.S.I.G.).
Company Profile
A spin-out of the Cambridge University, Cambridge GaN Devices (CGD) is a fabless semiconductor company that develops a range of energy-efficient GaN-based power devices to make greener electronics possible.
Operating at a market worth exceeding $30 billion, CGD completed several funding rounds to develop and deliver to the market a wide range of products for consumer and industrial applications.
In autumn 2021, the company was named Tech Scaleup of the Year by Business Weekly in the category of green electronics and was awarded the UK Business Angels Association (UKBAA) deep tech Investment of the Year.
Speaker
Ehsan Khan, Ph.D.
VP AI
Day 2 / 15:40 - 15:55
Company Profile
Speaker
Oleh Krutko, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President of Design and Systems R&D
Day 2 / 15:00 - 15:15
Oleh Krutko is a Senior Vice President of Design and Systems R&D at imec. In this role, he leads global research and engineering organization responsible for developing systems and circuits IP and solutions as well as managing ASIC volume production operations. Previously he was a General Manager of IC-Link by imec, imec division that offers ASIC solution development and manufacturing services.
Prior to joining imec, Oleh Krutko was a Senior Director of Engineering at AMD, managing Analog and Digital RF organization responsible for developing SOCs and ASICs for wireless infrastructure, defense, aerospace, test, and measurement applications. Previously, he was a Director of Engineering at Qorvo Texas, where he was responsible for RF, millimeter wave, broadband and power product development organization, and RF Design Specialist at Nokia North America R&D, where he was working on high efficiency power amplifiers and transmitters for wireless infrastructure.
Oleh Krutko has PhD in Electrical Engineering from the University of Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. He co-authored 40 journal and conference papers and has 7 patents. Oleh Krutko is a senior member of IEEE and Technical Program Committee member of IEEE RFIC conference.
Company Profile
Imec is a world-leading research and innovation center in nanoelectronics and digital technologies. Imec leverages its state-of-the-art R&D infrastructure and its team of more than 5,500 employees and top researchers, for R&D in advanced semiconductor and system scaling, silicon photonics, artificial intelligence, beyond 5G communications and sensing technologies, and in application domains such as health and life sciences, mobility, industry 4.0, agrofood, smart cities, sustainable energy, education, … Imec unites world-industry leaders across the semiconductor value chain, Flanders-based and international tech, pharma, medical and ICT companies, start-ups, and academia and knowledge centers. Imec is headquartered in Leuven (Belgium), and has research sites across Belgium, in the Netherlands and the USA, and representation in 3 continents. In 2021, imec’s revenue (P&L) totaled 732 million euro.
Further information on imec can be found at www.imec-int.com.
Speaker
Xiaohang Li
Associate Professor & Associate Director
Session info not yet published
Company Profile
KAUST is a world-class research university in the world. It has ranked No. 1 in the Times Higher Education Arab University Ranking since 2023. In the semiconductor area, KAUST has amassed the largest cluster of top-notched researchers and entrepreneurs in MENA and operated state-of-the-art nanofabrication and characterization facilities. Through research, innovation, entrepreneurship activities as well as numerous alumni it has trained, KAUST has been a pioneer and catalyst of the semiconductor ecosystem in Saudi Arabia and MENA region.
Education, training, research, innovation, entrepreneurship, consulting.
Speaker
Mohammed Tmimi, Ph.D.
Independent Strategy Consultant Specializing in Semiconductors, Telecom & Hardware
Day 1 / 12:40 - 12:55
Dr. Mohammed Tmimi is a strategy and market research consultant specializing in semiconductors, with a focus on supporting investment decisions. He earned his Ph.D. while working at STMicroelectronics, where he gained hands-on experience in advanced semiconductor design. He has deep insights into the semiconductor industry from his role as a technology and market analyst at Yole Développement, where he strengthened his expertise in the semiconductor and deep-tech sectors. As a former corporate development/investment specialist at AAC Technologies (listed in HK), he specialized in analyzing inorganic growth opportunities, researching and evaluating technologies and companies in semiconductors sectors.
Company Profile
At Nanochips Consulting
Our expertise spans from high-frequency semiconductor design to deeptech market analysis, offering bespoke services in market research, strategic planning, and due diligence.
We empower investors and companies in the semiconductor and telecom sectors with strategic insights and advanced market intelligence.
Your Partner in Navigating Market Dynamics and Advancing Technological Innovation.
Our services include the following key areas to support your growth and success. If you have additional needs in mind, please reach out to discuss how we can assist.
Market Research and Analysis
Conduct specialized market research to identify trends, niche markets, and opportunities for differentiation, providing in-depth data beyond standard $xB TAM/SAM metrics.
Track technological and market shifts to stay ahead of disruptions.
Develop and refine go-to-market strategies, including positioning, pricing, and channel selection, to accelerate market entry and growth.
Support product/market fit validation, e.g., through customer insights and feedback.
Identify key players in complementary or competitive technologies.
Strategic Planning and Business development support
Develop and refine company strategy and create compelling, data-driven story/pitch decks for value creation scenarios.
Support growth strategy execution, including market entry and expansion.
Identify and recommend strategic partnerships (academia, startups, industry) aligned with technological capabilities and future needs/roadmap.
Advise on M&A and strategic investments to strengthen market position and create synergies.
Assess acquihiring opportunities to acquire key talent, innovative technologies and capabilities.
For Investors
Identify high-potential investment opportunities, including niche and emerging markets, particularly in deep tech, Semiconductor, RF, imaging, and related sectors.
Conduct pre-due diligence and comprehensive evaluations on potential targets, assessing strategic alignment, market potential, and competitive positioning.
Evaluate technology roadmaps of potential targets to ensure alignment with emerging industry trends and investor goals.
Advise on growth, expansion, and integration strategies for portfolio companies to maximize synergies and operational efficiency.
Speaker
Ole Gerkensmeyer
VP EMEA Sales
Joint Case Study: Powering Electronics with Active and Passive Devices
Day 2 / 09:45 - 10:10
Company Profile
Headquartered in the Netherlands, Nexperia is a global semiconductor company with a rich European history and over 15,000 employees across Europe, Asia, and the United States. As a leading expert in the development and production of essential semiconductors, Nexperia’s components enable the basic functionality of virtually every electronic design in the world – from automotive and industrial to mobile and consumer applications.
The company serves a global customer base, shipping more than 100 billion products annually. These products are recognized as benchmarks in efficiency – in process, size, power, and performance. Nexperia’s commitment to innovation, efficiency and stringent industry requirements are evident in its extensive IP portfolio, its expanding product range, and its certification to IATF 16949, ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 standards.
Speaker
Eric Aguilar
CEO
Day 2 / 10:15 - 10:30
MEMS and Sensors for the Next-Gen Edge
An award-winning entrepreneur, Eric Aguilar is a visionary leader in the field of advanced sensor systems for complex systems, such as robotics and autonomous platforms.
Throughout his distinguished two-decade career, Eric’s passion for sensor design and innovation has made him a key player in the industry. His expertise includes leading teams at renowned companies such as Tesla, where he managed a crew of 300 engineers on the firmware for Model 3, and at X, where he spearheaded the development of Google Project Wing, an autonomous drone delivery service.
Eric’s expertise in sensor integration includes leadership positions at autonomous vehicle and robotics companies. His role in steering product development for a sensor company later acquired by Google — as well as for his pioneering work building sensors for drones at US Navy Research Labs — further showcases his depth of experience.
Eric earned a BS in Electrical Engineering from California State Polytechnic University and has pursued advanced studies in Electrical and Electronics Engineering at the University of Southern California. His work continues to shape the future of MEMS and sensor technology, making him a sought-after thought leader and speaker in the field.
Company Profile
Omnitron Sensors is rewriting the script on building high-performance low-cost sensors for the world of tomorrow. Leveraging its executive team’s extensive experience designing, fabricating, and using MEMS sensors, Omnitron has developed a “new topology for MEMS” that addresses some of the most pressing pain points in MEMS manufacturing.
Featuring the clever arrangement of silicon process steps and a new packaging method, Omnitron’s topology significantly improves performance to produce robust, rugged, reliable, repeatable, and low-cost MEMS sensors in high volumes by leveraging commercial MEMS foundries.
The company’s first proof point of its new topology for MEMS is a large, robust, low-cost, MEMS scanning mirror for long-range LiDAR.
Speaker
Karim Hamzaoui
VP of Global Business Development
Day 2 / 15:20 - 15:35
Company Profile
Preferred Networks (PFN) is a leading Japanese AI technology company known for its vertically integrated development of cutting-edge technologies—from custom AI chips, generative AI foundation models to real-world AI solutions and products. PFN plays a key role in advancing Japan’s AI sovereignty and has earned a strong domestic reputation. PFN’s AI solutions span across diverse industries including manufacturing, materials, energy, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, finance, retail, and entertainment. The company is currently developing a novel AI inference chip, leveraging its highly energy-efficient MN-Core™ logic and a new memory technology, with a release targeted for early 2027.
Preferred Networks (PFN) develops cutting-edge technologies across the AI value chain from semiconductors, supercomputers, generative AI foundation models to AI solutions and products:
MN-Core™ — a series of highly energy-efficient AI chips, which made a debut topping the Green500 list of the world’s most energy-efficient supercomputers three times in 2020/21. PFN is currently developing a new line of MN-Core chips focused on AI inference, set for release in early 2027.
Preferred Computing Platform™ (PFCP™︎) — a cloud-based service that provides users with access to the computing power of MN-Core 2. PFN has also announced a joint venture with Mitsubishi Corporation and IIJ aiming to launch an MN-Core™-based IaaS commercial service in 2026.
PLaMo™ — a series of Large Language Models developed fully from scratch by PFN, delivering top-tier performance in Japanese-language capabilities. These models power a wide range of AI applications in sectors such as finance, healthcare, and the public sector.
Matlantis™ — a cloud-based, high-speed universal atomistic simulator. Powered by a machine learning interatomic potential (MLIP), Matlantis significantly accelerates the simulation workflow in new materials discovery across industries such as semiconductor, automotive, and energy, by bypassing traditional heavy electronic state calculations.
Speaker
Abdullah Alshehri, Ph.D.
Business Development Unit Manager
Transforming Challenges into Opportunities: The Journey of the First Saudi Fab
Day 2 / 11:55 - 12:10
When we first set out to build Saudi Arabia’s first semiconductor fab, we faced significant challenges: limited supply chains, a shortage of local talent, and few academic programs in the field. But rather than seeing these as obstacles, we saw them as opportunities. We partnered with universities to develop new programs, provide training and internships, and build the skills needed for a thriving semiconductor workforce. Today, our company is not only helping shape a robust local ecosystem but also serving as the bridge between international technology leaders and the Kingdom, driving innovation and empowering the next generation of talent.
Dr. Abdullah earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Brighton and pursued both his Master’s and PhD at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), specializing in circuit design and developing low-power, high-performance ASICs for MEMS sensors. He is currently an Assistant Professor at Umm Al Qura University and serves on the KAUST Saudi Alumni Executive Committee. Dr. Abdullah has authored and co-authored more than 10 research papers, co-founded TRYSL Tech and DeepCARES, and leads the Business Development Unit at the Saudi Electronics Material Company, with professional experience collaborating with Aramco, STC, and Cadence.
Company Profile
The Saudi Electronic Materials Company (SEMC) is a pioneering semiconductor company driving innovation across Saudi Arabia, the MENA region, and beyond. With expertise in MEMS and infrared (IR) technologies, we deliver end-to-end solutions covering design, fabrication, packaging, and testing.
Equipped with a state-of-the-art cleanroom and advanced facilities, SEMC works alongside leading global research institutions and equipment providers to shape the next generation of semiconductor technologies that support national priorities and meet international standards.
Guided by Saudi Vision 2030, we are building a sustainable semiconductor ecosystem that fuels innovation, accelerates industrial growth, and strengthens the Kingdom’s role as a competitive force in the global semiconductor industry.
Our Services:At SEMC, we combine advanced expertise and cutting-edge facilities to deliver end-to-end semiconductor services for industries, scientists, and researchers. From concept to finished device, our capabilities cover the full value chain:– Design & SimulationProviding advanced design services through EDA, Multiphysics, and process simulations (TCAD) to accelerate innovation and reduce development risks.– FabricationUtilizing our state-of-the-art cleanroom for semiconductor processing, including lithography, etching (wet & dry), thin film deposition, implantation and furnace operations to produce high-quality IC and MEMS devices.– Packaging & AssemblyOffering complete packaging solutions — from dicing, die bonding, wire bonding, sealing, and wafer bonding, ensuring performance, reliability and scalability.– Testing & CharacterizationDelivering robust validation and performance testing, including wafer- and package-level measurements, noise, and vibration tests, as well as nano-scale analysis using SEM, TEM, FIB, EDX, and MSA.– R&D SolutionsPartnering with industries and researchers to co-develop and customize solutions that address both national and global technological demands.
Speaker
Mohssen Moridi, Ph.D.
Senior Executive Director & Head of the Microsystems Research Division
Day 2 / 14:40 - 14:55
Dr. Mohssen Moridi is an expert in microtechnology with over 20 years of experience in the development of MEMS devices. He holds a Master’s and Ph.D. in Microtechnology from École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland. After completing his doctoral studies, he held various research positions in Switzerland, contributing to advancements in microsystems technology. In 2016, he moved to Austria to lead the Microsystem Division at CTR AG, where he established a MEMS department and managed the development of a new cleanroom dedicated to industrial R&D. Since 2019, he has been part of Silicon Austria Labs (SAL) and currently serves as Senior Executive Director and Head of the Microsystems Research Division. In this role, he leads a team of over 60 researchers, driving innovation in thin-film technologies, integrated photonics, and magnetic and piezoelectric microsystems. With extensive experience at the intersection of research and industry, Dr. Moridi plays a key role in shaping cutting-edge microsystem technologies, bridging fundamental research with industrial applications.
Company Profile
Silicon Austria Labs (SAL) has been founded to be a top European research center for electronic-based systems. In the network of science and economy, we carry out research at a global level and create the basis of groundbreaking products and processes.
Speaker
Aly Mashaly
Founder & CEO
Wide Bandgap Semiconductors: The Catalyst of the Next Energy Revolution
Day 1 / 15:05 - 15:20
Wide Bandgap (WBG) semiconductors such as SiC and GaN are redefining the limits of power conversion efficiency and system performance. As global demand for electrification, renewable integration, and AI-driven infrastructure accelerates, WBG devices are becoming the catalyst of the next energy revolution. This presentation explores how advanced materials and smart system integration enable unprecedented efficiency gains, reduced carbon footprint, and scalable energy solutions — from electric mobility to hyperscale data centers. Verotera’s innovative approach bridges material science, system design, and AI-driven optimization to power a smarter, cleaner, and more sustainable future.
Aly Mashaly is the Founder and CEO of Verotera, a German company pioneering next-generation power semiconductor technologies. With over 20 years of experience in power electronics, Aly is a renowned expert in power electronic systems and semiconductors. He holds several patents in the field and is a keynote speaker at numerous international conferences.
Aly earned his degree in Electrical Engineering with a focus on Power Electronics from Ain Shams University in Cairo and moved to Germany in 2002 to pursue his master’s degree at the University of Hanover.
He began his career pioneering the development of power electronic systems for avionic applications before focusing on advancing power electronics for electric mobility. In his most recent role as Technical Director at ROHM Semiconductor Europe, he played a key role in driving the company’s vision to become a global leader in power devices and contributed to growing the business through multi-billion-dollar projects.
Company Profile
Verotera is a German startup and a next-generation semiconductor company driven by deep system-level expertise and a vision for a smarter, cleaner world. Our team brings hands-on experience in inverter development, semiconductor design, and real-world system integration. We operate across the full stack — from chip physics to complete systems — designing technologies that address the actual needs and constraints of modern applications.
This unique positioning allows us to reduce integration costs, accelerate design cycles, and deliver higher system efficiency. With strong industry networks and credibility in both the OEM and semiconductor domains, we bridge the gap between demand and innovation — enabling faster validation, strategic partnerships, and more effective go-to- market execution.
Please visit Verotera’s website for more information: www.verotera.com
Speaker
Sherin Ahmed El-Badry Sadek, Ph.D.
Strategic Partnership Manager EMEA
Joint Case Study: Powering Electronics with Active and Passive Devices
Day 2 / 09:45 - 10:10
Dr. Sherin Ahmed El-Badry Sadek is a multilingual professional specializing in international relations and strategic partnerships across Europe and the Middle East. She currently serves as Strategic Partnership Manager EMEA at Würth Elektronik in Munich, fostering collaborations with leading semiconductor companies, driving joint innovation projects and developing cross-regional partner ecosystems.
She holds a Ph.D. in Educational Sciences from the University of Education Weingarten. She pursued a Master’s degree in Advanced European and International Studies from Nice and her undergraduate double degree in Spanish-German in International Management.
Her professional career reflects a strong engagement with the Middle East region. As Strategic Alliance Specialist she worked on the establishment of a new Egyptian-European University in Cairo, leading the development and management of key institutional partnerships and coordinating international outreach efforts. She also gained diplomatic experience at the Embassy of Arab Republic of Egypt in Berlin and the German Chamber of Commerce in Qatar, bridging European and Gulf business communities and supporting German companies with their market entry into the Gulf region.
Her experience in building institutional and cross-regional strategic partnerships alongside her mastery of seven languages are key enablers for her to navigate complex intercultural settings effectively.
Company Profile
Würth Elektronik eiSos Group is a manufacturer of electronic and electromechanical components for the electronics industry and a technology company that spearheads pioneering electronic solutions. Würth Elektronik eiSos is one of the largest European manufacturers of passive components and is active in 50 countries. Production sites in Europe, Asia and North America supply a growing number of customers worldwide.
The product range includes passive components, power modules, digital isolators, optoelectronics, electromechanical components, thermal management solutions, sensors and wireless modules. The portfolio is rounded off by customer-specific solutions.
The unrivaled service orientation of the company is characterized by the availability of all catalog components from stock without minimum order quantity, free samples and extensive support through technical sales staff and selection tools.
Würth Elektronik is part of the Würth Group, the global market leader in the development, production, and sale of fastening and assembly materials, and employs around 7,500 people. In 2024, the Würth Elektronik Group generated sales of 1.02 Billion Euro.
Würth Elektronik: more than you expect! Further information at www.we-online.com
Speaker
Kamel Ait Mahiout
President & CEO
Electrification, Sustainable Smart Infrastructure
Day 2 / 12:55 - 13:05
Over 35 years in Semiconductor and high-tech industry,
President & CEO ZCE Group Energy Innovation & Decarbonation
President & CEO Novasensing, Neuromorphic ML/AI Edge AI company
President of International Semiconductor Executive Summits as of end on June 2024.
ATLANT3D as a CCO, ALD Process direct deposition,
Worked at Applied Material on the advance packaging corporate business on Hybrid bonding Cluster, Digital Lithography and Metrology & Inspection.
Prior to AMAT he served as CEO of Unity SC, inspection, and Metrology company where he reengineered the company from the product and organization to alignment with tiers 1 customers,
Prior to Unity, Kamel Served Amkor Technology as a President and General manager for Europe & Singapore over 18 years aligning and growing the company with European key players and starts up.
Started in the industry over 35 years ago as RF and Microwave R&D Engineer designing product & Modules for Aerospace, Military, and telecom markets, then served managing internal and external Operations Front end and Back end.
Kamel holds a Bachelor in Electronics from University HB in Algeria and a master’s in electronic from Reims University France.
Company Profile
WATTELZCE® by ZCE
Registered Trademark | BPI Deeptech | JEI (Jeune Entreprise Innovante)
Patented Technological Solutions: FR2508679, FR2510175
About Us
WATTELZCE® by ZCE is a pioneering Deeptech company recognized by BPI France for its breakthrough innovations in sustainable energy and electric mobility. As a JEI (Young Innovative Company), we are committed to developing smart, secure, and shareable charging infrastructure designed to make electric mobility accessible to all.
Our patented solutions and connected ecosystem bridge the gap between technology, sustainability, and accessibility — turning every power outlet into a smart charging station
Vision
To become the “AirBnB of electric charging,” transforming every outlet into a smart, secure, and sharable charging station.
Mission
To make electric mobility accessible, convenient, reliable, and equitable everywhere, while reducing carbon emissions and promoting clean energy adoption.
Our EcosystemThe WATTELZCE ApplicationA unique mobile platform designed to:• Create a friendly charging experience by connecting users to points of interest and service providers.• Enable private energy trading through WATT (energy) and ELSE (services) modules.Results in:• The expansion of domestic EV charger and electric outlet networks.• The growth of community-based energy sharing and local business services.Promotes:1. Electrical mobility adoption2. Energy equality3. Job and business creationOur Product LineEV Charging Solutions• 7 kW Domestic Charger• Hybrid Single-Phase/Solar In 22 kW Output• WattelWALL Infrastructure – a modular, smart, and connected wall plug for EV charging• WattelGo – portable, flexible, and user-friendly charging solutions for e-mobility
Speaker
Abdullatif Alblowi
GM Saudi
Session info not yet published
Company Profile
Speaker
Ahmed Alfaifi
VP, Talents/Training
Day 2 / 16:50 - 17:05
Company Profile
Speaker
Behrooz Abdi
CEO
Day 2 / 12:35 - 12:50
Company Profile
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