Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is GEECI?
GEECI is a small-volume semiconductor wafer and device production, characterization, and packaging facility, located at Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India. GEECI is a Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)-funded initiative of the Foundation for Science, Innovation, and Development (FSID), a Section 8 Company, and incubation arm of Indian Institute of Science. GEECI’s vision is to enable an ecosystem of startups, academic institutions, and industry organizations.
2. What services and facilities does GEECI provide?
The GEECI foundry is served by a dedicated tool line for GaN HEMT device development set up at the National Nanofabrication Centre (NNfC), CeNSE (Centre for Nano Science and Engineering), IISc. GEECI provides a wide gamut of GaN processing capabilities including MOCVD-grown GaN wafers, device fabrication process, RF and High Power Characterization capabilities and packaging. GEECI also provides device modelling and circuit design services where needed. As a startup incubator within FSID, GEECI offers incubation services to startups looking to serve the GaN ecosystem.
3. What is incubation?
Startup incubation is a program by which GEECI provides support and resources to early-stage companies to access GEECI’s facilities at a discounted rate. This program is designed to enable startups to develop their GaN solutions at low cost before they can attain self-sustenance and growth. Startups can also benefit from technical and business mentorship from the IISc and FSID community. You can learn about our Incubation Program HERE.
4. What is EIR?
Entrepreneurship-in-Residence (EIR) program has been designed to bridge the gap between initial ideation and readiness for incubation as a registered startup. This program is designed for an individual entrepreneur looking to develop a business idea before incorporating it into a startup. An EIR Program is one-year long and offers entrepreneurs technical and business mentorship, access to GEECI facilities and financial support. GEECI’s EIR Program graduates also receive are given first preference for our 3-year Incubation Program. You can learn more about our EIR Program HERE.
5. How can startups leverage GEECI offerings?
As a startup, you could consider the following avenues for leveraging GEECI offerings:
a) If your company has a major focus on GaN-based applications, such as EV chargers or high frequency RF, or device fabrication relevant to GaN, you can consider incubating your startup with GEECI. This will give you discounted access to our foundry services, in addition to other benefits.
b) You can also access our foundry services directly. GEECI provides startups discounted access to its facilities, based on a few qualifying criteria.
6. Can academic groups use GEECI services?
GEECI offers discounted facility usage rates to academic groups. If you are an academic entity looking to execute GaN processes in the GEECI fab or use any of GEECI’s tools, please reach out to us at support@geeci.in, and we will get you in touch with the relevant technical experts to support your request.
7. Can industry customers access GEECI services?
Yes. GEECI’s fab equipment can cater to small volume production and GEECI is capable of providing foundry services to industry customers. Customers can choose to execute complete fab process flows on the GEECI line or alternatively approach us for standalone services such as characterization or packaging.
8. How does GEECI safeguard IP?
As a foundry services provider, GEECI is committed to safeguarding the intellectual property of our customers. All client data shared with GEECI is handled with utmost care and sensitivity. GEECI has well-defined data security and access control protocols to ensure adequate protection of data.
