On January 17th, 2025, Ho Chi Minh City hosted an event that has marked a turning point in Vietnam’s semiconductor and artificial intelligance (AI) landscape. Organized by Connexus, the “Beyond Silicon – Accelerate the Future” workshop brought together global industry leaders, innovators, and tech enthusiasts from more than 20 semiconductor and technology companies to explore the forefront of semiconductor & AI.
A Vision Beyond Silicon
Connexus’ journey is rooted in expertise and ambition. Established by engineers and industry veterans from global giants such as Synopsys, eSilicon, Marvell, and Microchip, the startup has positioned itself as a leader in advanced semiconductor design and AI. The workshop is more than just another event – it is the crucial moment for Connexus as we are as a team, toghether committed to enter a new journey.
The event opened with an inspiring corporate video, capturing the essence of Connexus’ mission: “Science has no boundaries.” This was followed by an opening remarks from Ms. Loan Nguyen – co-founder, who shared their vision of transforming Vietnam into a regional tech hub. They emphasized the importance of innovation, collaboration, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible for the future of Vietnam’s semiconductor and AI.
Introducing the Connexus ASAPTM Platform
One of the workshop’s most anticipated moments was the unveiling of the Connexus ASAPTM Platform, a revolutionary platform designed to transform the IP selection process. How it works:
🔹Bridges advanced analytics with practical semiconductor design insights.
🔹 Cuts through the noise to identify, recommend, and validate optimal Foundation IP, Neural IP, and specialized IP solutions.
🔹 Customized for HPC, AI-driven, and general-purpose workloads and applications.
“This milestone represents not just a significant achievement for Connexus but also a promising leap forward for Vietnam’s semiconductor and AI industries,” said Timothy Nguyen, as attendees applauded the ambitious vision.
Accelerating Vietnam’s semiconductor and AI chip ecosystem
During the event, we also organize the tech talk with the topics of “Accelerating Vietnam’s semiconductor and AI ecosystem: Opportunities, Challenges, and Collaborative Pathways” with leading industry experts.
Mr. RaNa, Co-founder and Chief of Global Business at BitSilica, emphasized the practicality of developing Vietnam’s semiconductor and AI chip ecosystem “We all belive Vietnamese engineer has great potential…when a country came up with a very strong aspiration, it has to be a strategic plan in place, the strategy is very important. The gap between academia and industry is not a single country problem, it is existing accross globe, all the countries have it in some capacities or another, it is the universal thing. But then we have been in the semiconductor industry, we should collaborate, work with academia, probably get in touch with universities, hep them to be more ready…”
“Vietnamese engineers are highly skilled, but there is a gap in translating market demand into clear design requirements. Today, I am thrilled and impressed that Connexus has introduced a platform enabling customers to select suitable IPs, especially since IPs are usually kept highly confidential. Building an robust ecosystem require a leading pioneer. I hope Connexus can become the pioneer in the fields of AI in Vietnam“ said Mr. Nguyen Thanh Yen, General Director of CoAsia SEMI Vietnam.
“AI is gradually replacing some tasks performed by semiconductor design engineers, making it both a challenge and an opportunity for those who know how to take advantage of it. As for the question about resources for the ecosystem, I am 200% confident that Vietnamese engineers are capable” said Mr. Tristan Luc, co-founder and chairman of VNChip.
Strategic Partnerships for a Brighter Future
The workshop’s pivotal moment came with the signing of strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), including the strategic partnerships with CoAsia 3Tech Trading GmbH. These agreements represent a key step in Connexus’ strategy to integrate Vietnam into the global semiconductor supply chain while driving innovation and sustainability in the sector.
Shaping the Future of Vietnam’s Tech Industry
“Beyond Silicon – Accelerate the Future” was more than just an event; it was a testament to Vietnam’s potential as a global technology leader. By fostering collaborations, showcasing innovative solutions, and setting ambitious goals, Connexus has solidified its role as a trailblazer in the semiconductor and AI sectors.
As Vietnam’s semiconductor and AI industries continue to evolve, Connexus remains steadfast in its mission to inspire, innovate, and lead. With a vision that transcends boundaries, Connexus is shaping a future where Vietnam stands at the forefront of global technological advancements.