ScaleBridge Labs and Silicon Catalyst Launch National Initiative to Accelerate Semiconductor Innovation for the Defense Industry

ScaleBridge Labs, the venture lab powered by the Midwest Microelectronics Consortium, and Silicon Catalyst announced a strategic collaboration to accelerate the transition of commercial semiconductor innovation into the U.S. Defense Industrial Base. The Midwest Microelectronics Consortium leads the acceleration of microelectronic technologies and delivers solutions to establish a trusted and resilient domestic supply chain. The collaboration addresses a national priority of ensuring that promising U.S. microelectronics companies scale into defense and national security markets. While many semiconductor startups originate in commercial sectors such as artificial intelligence, edge computing, communications, and sensing, few are structured to navigate government procurement, defense partnerships, or federal funding pathways. The partnership creates a coordinated pathway to help these companies establish government-focused lines of business while continuing to scale commercially. Silicon Catalyst offers access to strategic partners, investors, and technical and business advisors. ScaleBridge Labs contributes a defense-aligned venture infrastructure within MMEC, one of eight regional hubs under the CHIPS and Science Act Microelectronics Commons program. The organizations will provide startups with access to defense market entry pathways including SBIR, OTA, and Phase III programs, strategic partnerships with defense primes, non-dilutive federal funding, and infrastructure resources. Paul Colestock, Director of Commercial Innovation at ScaleBridge Labs, said many of the technologies that will define the next generation of national security capabilities are being developed by commercially focused semiconductor startups. David Dwelley, Managing Partner at Silicon Catalyst, said semiconductors sit at the center of economic competitiveness and national security. Cormac Conroy, CEO of TeraSpatial, and Kevin Yoder, CEO of Niobium Microsystems, also commented on the collaboration.