BigEndian Semiconductors, a fabless design startup based in Bengaluru, India, is aiming to establish the country in the global semiconductor market by developing surveillance chips for cameras. Led by CEO Sunil Kumar, a former executive at ARM Broadcom and Intel, the founding team brings extensive experience from chipmakers like Broadcom and Cypress Semiconductors. The decision to establish BigEndian came after recognizing the significant domestic consumption of surveillance cameras in India, valued at around $4-$5 billion per year. Additionally, the Indian government’s incentives and the growing demand for alternatives to China further motivated the startup’s formation.
India has allocated a budget of $9 billion to boost the local development of semiconductors and display manufacturing companies. The government has approved four semiconductor units in the country, with an estimated investment of $17.9 billion. These units will produce chips for various applications, including automotive, consumer electronics, EVs, industrial, and telecom. The cumulative capacity of these units is expected to reach approximately 70 million chips per day.
Initially, BigEndian plans to focus on surveillance chips in partnership with Taiwanese fab company UMC. The startup’s reference chip, based on a 28nm node process, is set to be released in the first quarter of 2025. However, BigEndian intends to expand its presence over time and explore opportunities in the broader IoT market, primarily driven by 16- and 32-bit microcontrollers.
What sets BigEndian apart from traditional fabless semiconductor companies is its platform-as-a-service model. This model aims to help governments avoid Chinese middleware access, which is common among existing surveillance solutions. By offering software solutions that allow manufacturers and customers to customize their surveillance cameras’ functionality, BigEndian can generate additional revenue through subscription-based add-ons.
Despite the challenges of securing funding for semiconductor startups in India, BigEndian has managed to raise $3 million in an all-equity seed round. Vertex Ventures SEA and India led the round, with participation from strategic investors, including Amazon Web Services’ head of startup business development, Amitabh Nagpal. While the seed funding may not be sufficient for mass orders, the Indian government’s incentives provide significant support to the startup. Kumar believes that these incentives make it “almost like raising $5 million” and create an entry barrier for potential competition.
Looking ahead, BigEndian has ambitions beyond the Indian market. The startup aims to prove its capabilities and establish itself as a silicon company that can climb up the market food chain. By starting with surveillance chips and targeting middle to lower-end cameras, BigEndian intends to demonstrate its potential and expand its reach in the semiconductor industry.