# The Silicon 100: How Startups Rule the Future

- Show: [EE Times Current](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current)
- Published: 2021-07-02
- Length: 35m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-07-02-the-silicon-100-how-startups-rule-the-future
- Listen: https://www.eetimes.com/podcasts/the-silicon-100-…-rule-the-future/

## Summary

Peter Clark, the editor behind EE Times' Silicon 100 list, discusses the 2021 edition with host Brian Santo, highlighting a shift toward niche AI, LiDAR, and power technologies. They analyze the 'peak AI' phenomenon where many startups compete for dominance in data center and edge markets, and the rise of Chinese startups recruiting Silicon Valley talent to challenge US firms like AMD and NVIDIA. The conversation also covers the impact of SPACs on the startup definition, the maturation of the hardware investment cycle, and the emerging potential of quantum computing.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-07-02-the-silicon-100-how-startups-rule-the-future#t=0) Introduction and Silicon 100 Overview
- [8:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-07-02-the-silicon-100-how-startups-rule-the-future#t=500) Market Pull vs Technology Push
- [11:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-07-02-the-silicon-100-how-startups-rule-the-future#t=718) Technology Trends: AI, RF, and Power
- [15:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-07-02-the-silicon-100-how-startups-rule-the-future#t=900) Startup Lifecycle and List Dynamics
- [20:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-07-02-the-silicon-100-how-startups-rule-the-future#t=1210) Peak AI and Market Consolidation
- [22:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-07-02-the-silicon-100-how-startups-rule-the-future#t=1370) SPACs and the Definition of Startups
- [27:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-07-02-the-silicon-100-how-startups-rule-the-future#t=1623) Nicheification and Chinese Competition
- [30:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-07-02-the-silicon-100-how-startups-rule-the-future#t=1829) Quantum Computing and Unicorn Valuations

## Topics

- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)
- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- EE Times (company)
- Silicon 100 (product)
- Google (company)
- NVIDIA (company)
- Graphcore (company)
- Havana (company)
- NXP (company)
- Samsung (company)
- Apple (company)
- Intel (company)
- AMD (company)
- Bosch (company)
- WeiBit (company)
- BrainChip (company)
- NASDAQ (company)
- Silicon Valley (other)

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- [Episode 88: AI Accellerators, Startup graveyard? With Special Guest Austin Lyons](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2024-10-07-episode-88-ai-accellerators-startup-graveyard-with-special-guest-austin-lyons) (The Circuit)
- [EP 152: CAPEXXXXXX!!!! The Trillion Dollar Datacenter Race and More](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2026-02-09-ep-152-capexxxxxx-the-trillion-dollar-datacenter-race-and-more) (The Circuit)
- [EP 140: NVIDIA's $300B chart, CAPEX to the MOON FOREVER!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2025-11-03-ep-140-nvidias-300b-chart-capex-to-the-moon-forever) (The Circuit)
- [Episode 7: Semiconductor Industry Power Players](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2023-02-21-episode-7-semiconductor-industry-power-players) (The Circuit)
- [Episode 53: Supply Chain Demand Help and Dueling Mega Cycles](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2024-02-12-episode-53-supply-chain-demand-help-and-dueling-mega-cycles) (The Circuit)

## Citing this page

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