Silvaco Expands Product Offerings in Photonics and Wafer-Scale Plasma Modeling for AI Applications with Acquisition of Tech-X Corporation

Rhea-AI Summary

Silvaco Group (Nasdaq: SVCO) has announced the acquisition of Tech-X Corporation, expanding its capabilities in photonics and wafer-scale plasma modeling for AI applications. Tech-X specializes in multi-physics simulation software for Photonics, Electromagnetics, and Plasma Dynamics.

The strategic acquisition brings key benefits:

• Integration of Tech-X's multi-physics tools with Silvaco's Victory TCAD platform
• Enhanced digital twin modeling capabilities for photonics and semiconductor devices
• Advanced GPU-based computing solutions for faster simulation
• Expertise in wafer-scale plasma etching simulation

Professor John Cary, CTO of Tech-X and Physics Professor at University of Colorado, Boulder, joins Silvaco's team, bringing 40+ years of computational physics experience. The merger aims to accelerate innovation in the growing photonics market while expanding Silvaco's presence in AI applications. Needham & Company served as financial advisor for the transaction.

Positive

• Strategic acquisition of Tech-X expands Silvaco's product portfolio in high-growth photonics and AI markets
• Tech-X's GPU-based computing technology improves simulation speed and accuracy
• Addition of 40+ year expert Prof. John Cary strengthens technical leadership
• Synergistic integration with Victory TCAD platform enhances digital twin modeling capabilities
• Expansion into multi-physics transistor-level simulation from device to wafer-scale geometries

Negative

• Financial terms of the acquisition not disclosed
• Potential integration costs and risks not addressed
• No mention of immediate revenue impact or contribution expectations

Insights

Semiconductor Industry Analyst

Silvaco expands technical capabilities and enters photonics market through Tech-X acquisition, strengthening their digital twin modeling portfolio.

Silvaco's acquisition of Tech-X Corporation represents a strategic expansion of their technology portfolio in the specialized areas of multi-physics simulation. The deal adds valuable capabilities in photonics, electromagnetics, and plasma dynamics simulation that complement Silvaco's existing Victory TCAD platform.

Tech-X brings several key technologies to Silvaco's portfolio: multi-physics simulation for electromagnetic and electrostatics in complex environments, GPU-accelerated computational tools for photonics applications, plasma dynamics simulation used in semiconductor manufacturing, and Monte Carlo simulation for radiation analysis in aerospace applications.

The combination enables customers to create more accurate digital twin models for semiconductor devices and manufacturing processes, potentially improving design accuracy and reducing development cycles. This aligns with industry trends toward more sophisticated simulation tools to handle increasing complexity in semiconductor design.

The acquisition also brings valuable technical talent to Silvaco, including Professor John Cary, who brings over 40 years of computational physics experience. As stated by Babak Taheri, Silvaco's CEO, this acquisition represents "a significant step forward in our growth strategy for expansion into AI applications with technologies, talent and new customers."

This move positions Silvaco to expand from device-level simulation to wafer-scale modeling capabilities, with applications across photonic components, processes, materials, and plasma modeling—all growing areas in advanced semiconductor development.

Technology Integration Specialist

Tech-X's GPU-accelerated multi-physics simulation strengthens Silvaco's digital twin capabilities, bridging device and wafer-scale modeling.

The integration of Tech-X's specialized multi-physics simulation tools with Silvaco's Victory TCAD platform creates significant technical synergies. Tech-X brings GPU-accelerated simulation algorithms that can significantly improve computational speed while maintaining high-fidelity results—critical for addressing the increasing computational demands of advanced semiconductor design.

From a technical perspective, the combined platform will enable more comprehensive modeling capabilities spanning from detailed device-level physics to wafer-scale geometries. This bridging of simulation scales is particularly valuable for photonics applications, where both micro and macro-scale phenomena must be accurately modeled.

Tech-X's plasma dynamics simulation technology, already trusted in aerospace and semiconductor manufacturing applications, enhances Silvaco's ability to model etching processes—a critical aspect of semiconductor fabrication that impacts device performance and yield. The Monte Carlo simulation capabilities for radiation analysis further extend Silvaco's reach into reliability modeling for harsh environments.

The combined expertise in computational physics, particularly in developing algorithms for high-performance multi-node GPU computing, positions Silvaco to deliver more efficient simulation tools. As semiconductor designs become more complex and physics-constrained, this computational efficiency becomes increasingly important.

This technology acquisition demonstrates how specialized simulation capabilities are becoming critical differentiators in the EDA market, particularly as traditional scaling approaches reach physical limits and designers explore new materials, architectures, and manufacturing techniques that require more sophisticated modeling tools.

SANTA CLARA, Calif., April 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Silvaco Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: SVCO) (“Silvaco” or the “Company”), a provider of TCAD, EDA software and SIP solutions that enable semiconductor design and digital twin modeling through AI software and innovation, today announced the strategic acquisition of Tech-X Corporation, a leading provider of multi-physics simulation software used in applications such as Photonics, Electromagnetics and Plasma Dynamics.

Tech-X cutting-edge tools enable:

• Multi-physics simulation of electromagnetic, and electrostatics in complex dielectric and metallic environments;
• Combination of computational speed leveraging GPUs, and high-fidelity results for Photonics applications;
• Plasma Dynamics simulation trusted by engineers and researchers in aerospace and semiconductor manufacturing; and
• Monte Carlo simulation solution used for radiation analysis in aerospace applications.

By combining Tech-X’s unique multi-physics simulation tools with Silvaco’s Victory TCAD platform, customers will be able to create more accurate digital twin models for photonics, semiconductor devices and wafer-scale plasma etching —accelerating innovation across the industry. Tech-X brings deep expertise to Silvaco in developing state-of-the-art algorithms that harness high-performance, multi-node GPU-based computing to significantly improve simulation speed and accuracy.

“Bringing Tech-X’s expertise and multi-physics simulation technology into Silvaco represents a significant step forward in our growth strategy for expansion into AI applications with technologies, talent and new customers,” said Babak Taheri, CEO of Silvaco. “By leveraging our TCAD foundation, we are expanding further into fast multi-physics transistor-level simulation from device to wafer-scale geometries, for photonic components, processes, materials, and plasma modeling. We’re also thrilled to welcome Professor John Cary to the team. His 40+ years of experience in computational physics will play a key role in accelerating our innovation and expanding our presence in the rapidly growing photonics market.”

“We are excited to join forces with Silvaco and take advantage of the many synergistic capabilities between our organizations,” said John Cary, CTO of Tech-X and Professor of Physics at the University of Colorado, Boulder. “By leveraging Silvaco’s global reach and strong technical team, we see tremendous opportunities to expand the application of Tech-X’s advanced photonics and plasma modeling technologies across the semiconductor and photonics industries.”

Needham & Company acted as financial advisor to Silvaco in the transaction.

About Silvaco
Silvaco is a provider of TCAD, EDA software, and SIP solutions that enable semiconductor design and digital twin modeling through AI software and innovation. Silvaco’s solutions are used for semiconductor and photonics processes, devices, and systems development across display, power devices, automotive, memory, high performance compute, foundries, photonics, internet of things, and 5G/6G mobile markets for complex SoC design. Silvaco is headquartered in Santa Clara, California, and has a global presence with offices located in North America, Europe, Brazil, China, Japan, Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan. Learn more at silvaco.com.

Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including but not limited to, statements regarding Silvaco’s acquisition of Tech-X Corporation, technologies and product offerings, business strategy, plans and opportunities, industry and market trends including TAM estimates and the expected benefits and impact of the transaction and combined business on Silvaco’s growth. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections. Words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “should,” “believe,” “hope,” “target,” “project,” “goals,” “estimate,” “potential,” “predict,” “may,” “will,” “might,” “could,” “intend,” “shall” and variations of these terms and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside Silvaco’s control. For example, the markets for Silvaco’s products and services may develop more slowly than expected or than they have in the past; operating results and cash flows may fluctuate more than expected; Silvaco may fail to successfully integrate Tech-X Corporation; Silvaco may fail to realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisition; Silvaco may incur unanticipated costs or other liabilities in connection with acquiring or integrating Tech-X Corporation; the potential impact of the announcement or consummation of the transaction on relationships with third parties, including employees, customers, partners and competitors; Silvaco may be unable to motivate and retain key personnel; changes in or failure to comply with legislation or government regulations could affect post-closing operations and results of operations; and macroeconomic and geopolitical conditions could deteriorate. The forward-looking statements included in this press release represent Silvaco’s views as of the date of this press release, and Silvaco disclaims any obligation to update any of them publicly in light of new information or future events.

Contacts
Media Relations:
Tiffany Behany, press@silvaco.com

Investor Relations:
Greg McNiff, investors@silvaco.com

FAQ

What companies did Silvaco (SVCO) acquire in April 2025?

Silvaco (SVCO) acquired Tech-X Corporation, a provider of multi-physics simulation software specializing in Photonics, Electromagnetics, and Plasma Dynamics.

How will Tech-X acquisition benefit Silvaco's AI and semiconductor capabilities?

The acquisition enhances Silvaco's digital twin modeling capabilities by combining Tech-X's multi-physics simulation tools with Silvaco's Victory TCAD platform, enabling more accurate models for photonics, semiconductor devices, and wafer-scale plasma etching.

What are the key technologies Silvaco gained from Tech-X acquisition?

Silvaco gained GPU-powered multi-physics simulation tools for electromagnetic modeling, photonics applications, plasma dynamics simulation, and Monte Carlo radiation analysis capabilities.

Who will lead Tech-X's technical integration with Silvaco (SVCO)?

Professor John Cary, CTO of Tech-X and Professor of Physics at the University of Colorado, Boulder, with 40+ years of computational physics experience, will help drive the technical integration.

What markets will Silvaco (SVCO) expand into with the Tech-X acquisition?

The acquisition allows Silvaco to expand into AI applications, photonics market, semiconductor manufacturing, and aerospace industries through enhanced simulation and modeling capabilities.