Vicharak’s Post

Founded in October 2022, Vicharak is a new-age electronic hardware startup based in Surat. Currently a team of 55 engineers, it aims to solve the limitations of current CPU platforms and introduce Reconfigurable Computing to consumers. Vicharak was founded by Akshar Vastarpara, a software engineering graduate. “Initially, I was interested in software designing but soon grappled with the current limitations of computer architecture. This made me start exploring the hardware electronics field", said Akshar while talking to Startup Pedia. Akshar started his consultancy firm, VEGG, and provided electronics design and related services to global clients. He says, “I wondered if the current computing systems could be made faster for the end consumer. Eventually, I decided to implement this idea and pivoted to Vicharak, an electronic hardware startup.” Akshar’s mission was simple: to revolutionize computer hardware by adding speed to it—and do all of it in India. The tech startup worked on developing a specialized technology with an architecture that provides faster and real-time computing. Initially, developing hardware in India was a challenge in itself. Funds were low as well. But Akshar preserved. As a tech startup, Vicharak is building a new kind of computer and computing system that is faster than just regular processor-enabled computers by using FPGA technology. It fulfills the requirement of powerful computing systems for B2B companies operating in the fields of robotics, autonomous vehicles, drones, and AI-powered devices. Recently, Vicharak built a single-board computer that is more powerful than the Raspberry Pi 5. For the uninitiated, Raspberry Pi is considered a powerful, compact, and versatile single-board computer that is primarily designed for learning, prototyping, and developing projects. The company sells 7 million pieces across the world on an annual basis. Vicharak’s team of 55 expert engineers and Akshar Vastarpara have built Axon—something that beats Raspberry Pi 5 in terms of speed and power! This highlights the startup’s vision of innovating and manufacturing international-standard hardware in the country. Axon, according to Akshar, is “The next-generation of AI edge computing in SBC.” Axon has widespread applications in education, traffic management, home servers, automation, AI development, and automotive engineering. Vicharak sold 200 units of Axon in just 2 months and generated a revenue of Rs 25 lakhs. In August 2024, it also raised Rs 1 Cr in funding at a valuation of Rs 100 Cr. Soon, Akshar plans to take Vicharak ahead by providing more modern and fast computing systems to B2B companies. The startup plans to enter the desktop space as well and innovate faster systems for laptops and PCs for B2C customers. Eventually, the team will also look into enhancing software solutions. Read More: https://bit.ly/3VGCrim Website - www.vicharak.in #startuppedia #startup #hardwarestartup #computingsystem

Reconfigurable computing is the future—and Vicharak is leading the way from India. In a world dominated by global hardware giants, it’s inspiring to see a homegrown startup like Vicharak pushing the boundaries of computing systems. Their single-board computer, Axon, not only beats the Raspberry Pi 5 in speed and power but also proves that cutting-edge hardware innovation can thrive here. With applications in AI, robotics, automation, and beyond, Vicharak’s FPGA-based technology is a game-changer for industries demanding faster, real-time computing. Kudos to Akshar Vastarpara and the entire Vicharak team for building the next-gen of computing in India. Can’t wait to see how they continue to innovate and transform edge computing! #ReconfigurableComputing #EdgeComputing #FPGA #HardwareInnovation #AI #TechStartups #MadeInIndia #FutureOfComputing

The government is equipping more than 100 colleges with electronic design automation (EDA) tools from Siemens, Synopsys Inc & Cadence Design Systems, as part of efforts to prepare talent for the country’s developing semiconductor ecosystem. The country heads of these chip design software companies told The Economic Times that training with these tools ensures that students are industry-ready when they graduate. Globally, there are only a handful of companies that make these tools & there isn’t a single chip that can be designed without their aid. While Siemens has been working with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to create an EDA tools grid as a part of design-linked incentive scheme for chip startups, Synopsys has partnered with Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), & Jadavpur University to develop talent for the chip industry & address workforce shortage as a part of Synopsys Academic & Research Alliances (SARA) programme. Meanwhile, 350 engineering colleges in India have access to Cadence’s suite of EDA technologies. Ruchir Dixit, country manager, Siemens EDA, told ET that India needs a skilled workforce that can work for the proposed chip units. The government’s Chips to Startups (C2S) initiative has equipped more than 100 academic institutions in the country with EDA tools from Siemens EDA and others, he said. Started in January 2022, C2S aims to train 85,000 people over five years in very large-scale integration & embedded system design. In the first round, 103 institutions & startups, including the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, Bombay, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee & Indian Institute of Technology, Dharwad, India, had been selected to work on projects such as global navigation receiver SoC for NAVIC & Global Positioning System (GPS), among others. “We’ve provided our software at a donation price to colleges. This saves colleges the trouble of chasing for these tools individually, & it also allows the suite of tools to train multiple people at the same time,” Dixit said. Raja Subramaniam, country head of Synopsys India, told ET that there’s going to be a tremendous shortage of talented manpower globally by 2030, citing a Goldman Sachs report. “Training with these tools ensures that when the students graduate, they’re industry-ready & knowledgeable. With access to such technologies, this enables incubation of startups,” he said. Jaswinder Ahuja, managing director, Cadence Design Systems, India, said these tools are normally very expensive. “We have made these tools available at a highly subsidised rate,” he said. The suite that it has made available in the C2S programme has over 100 different tools. ETtech Ashwini Vaishnaw https://lnkd.in/ggxgCjTV

Governments are now ready to focus of Chip designing... Govt Equipping More Than 100 Colleges With Chip Design Tools As part of its efforts to develop talents for chip industry, the government is reportedly equipping more than 100 colleges with electronic design automation (EDA) tools from Siemens EDA, Synopsys and Cadence. Country heads of chip design software firms informed ET that training with these tools ensures students are industry-ready upon graduation. Siemens has been working with the IT ministry to establish an EDA tools grid as part of the design-linked incentive scheme for chip startups. Similarly, Synopsys has partnered with IIT Bombay, Indian Institute of Science and Jadavpur University through the Synopsys Academic & Research Alliances (SARA) programme to cultivate talent for the chip industry and address workforce shortages. Besides, 350 engineering colleges in India have access to Cadence’s suite of EDA technologies. Globally, only a few companies produce these essential tools, and no chip can be designed without their aid. Ruchir Dixit, country manager, Siemens EDA, told ET that India needs a skilled workforce that can work for the proposed chip units. Dixit mentioned that the government’s Chips to Startups (C2S) initiative has provided over 100 academic institutions in the country with EDA tools, including Siemens EDA. Launched in January 2022, C2S aims to train 85,000 individuals over five years in very large-scale integration and embedded system design. In the first round, 103 institutions and startups, including the Indian Institutes of Technology at Kanpur, Bombay, Roorkee, and Dharwad, were selected for projects like the global navigation receiver SoC for NAVIC and Global Positioning System (GPS). Siemens has been working with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to establish an EDA tools grid as part of the design-linked incentive (DLI) scheme for startups in the semiconductor and electronics domain. Soucre: Inc42 #100daychallenge #day7 #startup #startupcompany #chipmanufacturing #startupecosystem

Bridging the Gap: How Maker Spaces and Fab Labs Can Spark Interest in Electronics and Drive Sustainable Development 🚀🔧🌱 In recent visits to various universities and colleges, I've observed a notable trend: Computer Science departments are bustling with students, while electronics and other engineering branches seem to attract fewer enthusiasts. Conversations with faculty and students reveal a common concern: hands-on practice in electronics is more challenging and costly compared to the relatively accessible setup needed for Computer Science. This practical gap is a significant deterrent for many students who might otherwise be passionate about electronics. However, there's a silver lining I've noticed as well—those who engage with Maker Spaces and Fab Labs show a remarkable enthusiasm for electronics and hardware innovation. These spaces provide the tools, components, and collaborative environment necessary to bring ideas to life, making them invaluable in bridging the hands-on practice gap. The Power of Maker Spaces and Fab Labs 🌟 Accessible Hands-On Experience: Maker Spaces and Fab Labs offer students access to expensive and specialized equipment they might not otherwise afford. From 3D printers and laser cutters to soldering stations and microcontrollers, these resources empower students to experiment, innovate, and learn by doing. Collaborative Innovation: These spaces foster a collaborative environment where students from diverse disciplines can work together, share knowledge, and inspire each other. This interdisciplinary approach often leads to innovative solutions and a deeper understanding of practical applications. Sustainable Development: By encouraging hands-on practice and innovation, Maker Spaces and Fab Labs play a crucial role in sustainable development. They enable the creation of hardware solutions to real-world problems, from renewable energy systems to smart agriculture tools. These innovations are vital for addressing the unique challenges faced by communities in India and beyond.🌱 Future-Ready Skills: As technology continues to evolve, the ability to prototype and iterate rapidly is becoming increasingly important. Maker Spaces and Fab Labs equip students with the skills and mindset needed to thrive in the future job market, where practical problem-solving and innovation are key. Beyond Apps: Real-World Impact 🌍💡 Not all problems can be solved with an app. While software development is undoubtedly important, the physical world around us requires tangible solutions. Electronics and hardware innovations are essential for areas such as healthcare, environmental monitoring, and infrastructure development. Karkhana Surajit Paul Nandan Singh Siddharth B.

Semiconductor Industry Development: Human Resources as the Key Factor Developing high-tech industries, building Da Nang into a national startup and innovation center is one of the 5 key areas according to Resolution No. 43 of the Politburo, on construction and development of the city by 2030, vision to 2045. To achieve this goal, Da Nang is determined to build an ecosystem for the electronic, semiconductor, and chip industry; in which, developing the workforce is a decisive factor for the development of this industry. Da Nang opens the course on semiconductor chip design Recently, in Da Nang City, the National Innovation Center – Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Asian Fund and the University of Engineering Education – Da Nang University opened a course on semiconductor chip design. About 30 students from universities and colleges in Da Nang and the Central Highlands region participate in the course which lasts for 3 months. This is good news for young people who are passionate about this field. Mr. Nguyen Khac Hung, a student at the University of Science and Technology, Da Nang University, expressed: “I am a student of information technology and I love semiconductor chips. This is also a field that Da Nang city focuses on developing, so I hope that students will have the opportunity to study and find employment right after graduation.” The highlight of the semiconductor chip design course is that students have access to and use chip design software. With the launch of this training course, the University of Engineering Education, member universities of Da Nang University affirms its pioneering role in training and developing the workforce in the semiconductor industry in the Central Highlands. Intel commits to support the development of artificial intelligence (AI) training in Da Nang Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Le Hung, Vice Rector of the University of Engineering Education, Da Nang University, said that the university is deploying training programs and opening additional laboratories. This is considered the first laboratory in Da Nang City and the Central Highlands region equipped with chip and semiconductor testing equipment. After students design the chips, the university has equipment to test and verify them. Da Nang City has recently decided to establish two task forces to implement the project “Development of semiconductor chips and circuits of Da Nang City”, including a Working Group and an Advisory Team… Da Nang is determined to build an ecosystem for the electronic, semiconductor, and chip industry. To achieve this goal, Da Nang prioritizes the development of semiconductor and chip workforce. The goal of Da Nang City by 2030 is that the digital economy accounts for at least 30% of GRDP, with 8,950 digital technology enterprises, 115,000 digital technology workforce, 7 information technology parks, software parks, etc. In recent years, universities and training institutions in Da Nang have actively formed, expan...

Secret of quick and low cost development of embedded products #seedfunded #bootstrapped #hardware #startups Why at GVC we are able to quickly deliver embedded products at much lower total cost of development? Well, it is not rocket science but a simple method taught to me in 1979 (Yes, 45 years back) by some of experienced IBM engineers. The trick is to use and reuse same design/part of the design again and again. Here is what I have put in action 1. I use same micro controller family for all designs. This saves cost of inventory, learning cycle and reuse of common code. 2. When I create code, I use in modules and keep code in separate file. For example code to generate time has been same for last 30 years and hence no bugs, even variables and functions name are same. For example OneSecOver is a routine where I do things once every second. My code of 1994 and code of 2024 has exactly same variables and flow. 3. Same with hardware - it is same RTC chip and hence same RTC code, Even when a new chip cost 10% low, I stick with existing and proven chip as I already have stock and working code, No need to test code. 4. Same with designs - I prefer orders where I already have 70 to 80% of design ready. So if a client ask for Vending Machine, I quickly grab it as I already have over 15 vending machine designs, so 16th will be much faster and cost less to client. 5. Consistency - I am sticking with same way of working and improving little every month based on success and failure of the month. Clients have more trust on me specially. Few clients picked me because their previous developer moved to US or a different city for better opportunity leaving clients only with an apology. 6. Offer as well as Ask for help - I do not shy away for asking help in social media. Or offering help to people when they have specific query. So over a period of time, I have developed a huge network of trusted developers who are willing to help me as well as ask for help. 7. No short cuts - At times, I spend more time to develop a module. This helps me save time in long run. For example, while many people use Arduino to reduce cost and time. However it turns out to be more expensive by the time design goes into production. Interested to out source converting your idea into a working design at faster speed and low cost - message me. You will be surprised at high speed of development and low cost of final ready to market design.

Cognitave Inc presented at IEEE Boston 2024 following talk on Micro-Electronics design automation with open-source, free of charge EDA tools. A question was asked by audience whether a startup could approach potential VC investors with results from such open source EDA tools. The answer is Yes, the tools presented are advanced over decades to handle any level of complexity in integrated electronics system design and supported by tens of thousands of engineers and programmers. The tools allow validation in software environment and the prototypes that are built as part of R&D validate the simulation results. Dr. Haghzadeh's extended answer as follows: Consider the following scenarios for three start-ups A, B, and C. Startup A has limited funding to purchase commercial EDA (eg. Matlab, ADS + systemVue tools that could cost up to 30-$40K per seat depending on the configuration); Startup B has abundant funding ($10+ M in 2 Yrs) and aiming to lunch a trending product within 2 years; Startup C has overly abundant funding ($10B in 10 Yrs) and will lunch the next revolutionary consumer electronics device in 5 years. Should any of these startups go with open-source or license-based EDA? Startup A has little to no option but to take advantage of open source EDA (GNU Octave8, LTSpice, KiCAD etc.) and develop its design and model of prototype in software environment to analyze and send to foundry for fabrication. Startup B can build its in-house and customizable electronics design flow using either open-source or license-based EDA options. Former open-source option will require some extra time and effort from startup employees due to steeper learning curve. Latter option with commercial EDA (Matlab, ADS, AWR etc) will give a head start to Startup B with the help of Application Engineers and experience available through partnerships created while acquiring a new software in this space (Mathwork, Keysight, Cadence in this example). Startup C also has abundant capital to invest in commercial EDA software. One could also argue that over years and decades the licensing fees could add up to millions of dollars (eg $200 M for 1000 employees for 10 year enterprise contract). In this imaginary scenario the executive at Startup C might decide to invest (eg $40M in 10 years) and build their own integrated, customized electronics design flow software to handle future design, development and simulation (eg $160M saving in licensing fees). Most these open source tools are python based and allow forking. Once a complete design flow is created and technology stack-ups are available, future designer could use unlimited copies of in-house EDA software without waiting for a license or token. Moreover they can use a copy of software on their Laptops or local computer without need to access the design environment on a remote server. For any inquiry, questions and comments please email us at >> tex@cognitave.com Mahdi Haghzadeh, PhD Cognitave Inc Apr 13, 2024

#"Don't confuse Technology Startup Founders with normal college students; for Startup Founders, the technology, science and devices are real ones, not some virtual alien objects which exist or not; be the kind of student who is famous for being hunter of professors; always delving yourself into real practical/science and Engineering work/devices/problems so much so that your own philosophy in Engineering is capable of making Engineering devices happen/realized/created! And have the passion that if you like a subject, you can read Million volumes on it and not be tired of it; Engineering is not easy, don't take Engineering as your majors if you are rote learner! Engineering works when you have an artistic mind, and your paint brush is Engineering Softwares!" #OrangeX #lessons

As part of its efforts to develop talents for chip industry, the government is equipping more than 100 colleges with electronic design automation (EDA) tools from Siemens EDA (Siemens Digital Industries Software), Synopsys Inc and Cadence Design Systems👇 Country heads of chip design software firms informed that training with these tools ensures students are industry-ready upon graduation. Siemens has been working with the IT ministry to establish an EDA tools grid as part of the design-linked incentive scheme for chip startups. 350 engineering colleges in India have access to Cadence’s suite of EDA technologies. The government's Chips to Startups (C2S) initiative has provided over 100 academic institutions in the country with EDA tools, including Siemens EDA. #automation #electronicdesign #government