Pat Gelsinger has captured headlines recently with his ambitious efforts to reignite Moore’s Law, the principle that computing power doubles roughly every two years, through government backing and bold technological innovation. As a female founder and serial entrepreneur deeply immersed in multidisciplinary strategies, I find the intersection of pushing boundaries in semiconductor advancements and navigating the political chessboard intensely fascinating. It’s not just about faster chips; it's about redefining leadership, collaboration, and vision in business.
Gelsinger, who once led Intel, now channels his focus through xLight, a semiconductor startup using free-electron lasers to overcome bottlenecks in microchip lithography. His pitch to the U.S. government for a $150 million investment is bold, especially considering the controversial move to make Uncle Sam a minority equity stakeholder under the Chips Act. Here's why this matters: leaders like Gelsinger turn setbacks into stepping stones, yet the dynamics of government equity in startups bring new challenges, some practical, others reputational.
Let’s break it down step by step.
The Progress Behind xLight
xLight’s proposed free-electron laser is a massive infrastructure system that could produce finer microchip patterns, operating at wavelengths as low as 2 nanometers. For reference, current industry leaders like ASML operate at 13.5 nm. Gelsinger’s goal is not just competition but creating large-scale solutions that treat lithography as a distributed public utility rather than an embedded one. This is a daring and unproven route, but it’s also one of the few with the potential to revive a faltering Moore’s Law.
With major chipmakers from Intel to Samsung interested but noncommittal, xLight plans to begin testing wafers in 2028, targeting 2029 for commercial usability. This timeline is ambitious, especially when no guaranteed buyer has emerged.
Government Involvement
Pat Gelsinger isn’t operating in a vacuum. Countries such as China pour billions into their chip sectors to secure geopolitical and technological dominance. Gelsinger acknowledges that U.S players need full-scale industrial encouragement to stay competitive globally. It’s why he’s embracing federal equity, even amid unrest from Silicon Valley critics, including policy pushback from high-profile leaders like Governor Gavin Newsom.
Such federal support provides startups like xLight with confidence, paving the way for innovation while raising complex questions about free market dynamics. As a founder constantly seeking balance between independence and external funding, I can see both sides: resources matter, but independence breeds agility.
Lessons for Female Founders in Europe
Women entrepreneurs, particularly in tech fields, can learn a lot from leaders who think big but remain practical. From my journey creating initiatives at Fe/male Switch and CADChain, several insights resonate deeply with Gelsinger’s approach.
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Seek Comfortable Discomfort
Gelsinger’s pivot from Intel to xLight wasn’t smooth sailing. His efforts underline the need for entrepreneurs to position themselves in spaces where both risk-taking and teamwork coexist. If you’re not up against the limits of your own innovation, you probably aren’t asking the right questions. -
Prioritize Strategic Collaborations
Partnerships with giants like ASML or securing federal grants weren’t accidents for xLight. Women founders need these connections as much as technical expertise. Networking within and beyond STEM is crucial, especially in Europe, where access to venture capital differs from the U.S. ecosystem. -
Tackle Hard Problems Openly
European women entrepreneurs in STEM often wrestle with stereotypes about handling large-scale growth or strategic pressure. Looking to figures like Gelsinger, who openly discusses risks in technology and funding, encourages authenticity when explaining innovation challenges to stakeholders. Transparency builds trust, whether with funders or your team.
Avoid Common Stumbles
Building disruptive ventures can be tough, but certain missteps across startups are fixable once flagged early.
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Skipping Long-term Alignment: Entrepreneurs can rush collaboration without understanding motivations from tech or policy partners. Take time to ensure everyone’s vision overlaps, whether collaborating with universities in AI or public/private sector alliances.
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Sacrificing Precision for Speed: While moving fast wins headlines, skipping research probably delays practical scalability. For female STEM founders, diligence about tools, methods, and their usability matters. Remember, every industry bottleneck differs.
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Underestimating Policy: Even in Europe, where regulation can feel sluggish, compliance is accelerating across blockchain, AI, and deeptech. Gelsinger is tactically positioning xLight for federal partnerships, showcasing how policy aligns robustly with vision. Ignore it, and you might lose ground fast.
Looking Ahead
There’s reason to follow Gelsinger’s path closely, not just because of the chips but for how he plans against setbacks. His highlighting of Moore’s Law’s societal importance shows intent beyond semiconductors, it hints at system-wide challenges underlying the digital economy: cost, scale, and governance. That’s why female founders with a penchant for big projects should follow this closely.
European women entrepreneurs in tech, myself included, often find themselves underrepresented in sectors requiring similar long-term vision. Projects like Gelsinger's remind leaders to keep both scientific scope and partnership ecosystems vital across milestones. Be it STEM advocacy through initiatives like CADChain’s blockchain solutions or gearing up entrepreneurial games for innovation networks, there’s no denying that driving forward big ideas needs long-range vision even more than technical success.
Next Steps for Founders and Innovators
For women in deeptech, Gelsinger’s approach offers a strategic framework for adopting larger but careful visions:
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Study public-private partnerships like those under xLight closely. Governments in Europe increasingly want oversight paired with innovation. Understand terms like equity participation and preliminary agreements, their relevance is rising.
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Leverage ground-level opportunities through tools like non-dilutive female-targeted grants. For early-stage founders in Europe, EU mechanisms through groups like EIC often channel funding efficiently.
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Build resilience stories into business pitches. Whether addressing semiconductor bottlenecks or cutting edges like AI models, founders need to bake risk/reward insights visibly. Funders won’t just take higher risks, they’re expecting sophistication handling red tape.
When leaders like Gelsinger turn failed corporate bets into bold new bets for long-term industries, the lessons don’t just lie in bottom lines. They serve as guides for entrepreneurs deciding between sticking to their strengths versus actively evolving them across new systems entirely. Whether funding atom-size lasers or playing startup games across upcoming industries, the takeaway remains clear: challenges are temporary; vision holds permanence, only if maintained effectively.
Let's build ideas as impactful as those reshaping Moore’s Law.
FAQ
1. Who is Pat Gelsinger, and why is he in the spotlight?
Pat Gelsinger is the former CEO of Intel and a leader in the semiconductor industry. He currently focuses on xLight, a startup aiming to reignite Moore’s Law with advanced technologies like free-electron lasers. Learn more about Pat Gelsinger
2. What is the goal of the xLight startup led by Pat Gelsinger?
xLight aims to develop free-electron laser systems for semiconductor manufacturing, enabling chip patterns at a 2nm scale, well beyond today’s technology. Read more about xLight
3. What role does the U.S. government play in xLight’s plans?
The U.S. Commerce Department plans to invest up to $150 million in xLight under the Chips Act, making the government a minority equity stakeholder. Explore details on the government and xLight
4. How does xLight's technology differ from current industry solutions?
xLight is developing massive free-electron lasers as distributed utilities for lithography, capable of finer chip patterns at shorter wavelengths compared to current EUV systems by industry giant ASML. Discover the technology shift with xLight
5. What is the Chips Act, and how does it affect xLight?
The Chips Act is a U.S. law supporting the semiconductor industry with funding initiatives. It plays a pivotal role in xLight’s funding and operational strategy. Learn more about the Chips Act
6. Why is Moore’s Law significant in the tech industry?
Moore’s Law predicts the doubling of computing power approximately every two years. Efforts like xLight aim to sustain this principle, which has driven technological progress for decades. Explore the importance of Moore’s Law
7. What challenges does xLight face in achieving its goals?
xLight faces hurdles like unproven technology scalability, tight project deadlines, competition from companies like Substrate, and securing collaboration with major chipmakers.
8. What can female founders in STEM fields learn from Pat Gelsinger’s approach?
Female STEM leaders can take inspiration from Gelsinger's strategic collaborations, openness about risks, and long-term vision for tackling major industry bottlenecks.
9. How is xLight addressing global competition in semiconductor manufacturing?
xLight leverages its innovative laser technology and collaboration with U.S. government agencies to compete against global powers like China, who heavily fund their semiconductor sectors. Learn more about global competition in semiconductors
10. When will xLight’s technology become commercially viable?
xLight aims to test wafers by 2028, with its first commercial systems potentially ready by 2029. Discover xLight’s timeline
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
