Governor Glenn Youngkin Announces Landmark Statewide Initiative to Innovate Virginia’s Semiconductor and Microelectronics Ecosystem

RICHMOND, VA –  Governor Glenn Youngkin proclaims the formation of Virginia Alliance for Semiconductor Expertise (VAST) prematurely of his first worldwide commerce mission to Taiwan, Japan and South Korea the place he’ll meet with a variety of trade leaders on why Virginia is the perfect place for the semiconductor and microelectronics ecosystem to thrive.

VAST will deliver collectively trade and college companions to create new workforce growth alternatives and increase entry to cleanrooms, labs, and gear for coaching and R&D by school, college students, and entrepreneurs. VAST will probably be led by Virginia Tech and embody a broad alliance throughout main instructional establishments all through the Commonwealth together with College of Virginia, George Mason, Virginia Commonwealth College, Norfolk State College, and Northern Virginia Group Faculty.

Job-ready workforce coaching will probably be a major focus of VAST because it creates three new Quick-Observe to Semiconductor Careers certification applications that span the semiconductor provide chain. This up-skilling initiative will goal veterans and under-served communities and end in over 25,000 hours of hands-on lab and gear coaching that produces 500 job-ready workforce certifications over the subsequent three years.

“Virginia is stepping as much as prepared the ground by investing in key initiatives that can ship STEM expertise to a sturdy and rising workforce throughout the Commonwealth,” stated Governor Glenn Youngkin. “Collectively, our personal and public sector partnerships will create new alternatives in semiconductors, microelectronics and nanotechnology to drive critically essential financial sectors and know-how management. I look ahead to collaborating with the various colleges in Virginia which are producing analysis and highly-trained college students that can speed up the event of our VAST ecosystem.”

Virginia Innovation Partnership Company (VIPC) will even collaborate with VAST to activate early-stage enterprise capital funding, alongside personal sector companions, by means of its Virginia Enterprise Companions (VVP) fairness funds. VIPC will moreover provide eligible grants for entrepreneur-in-residence, school R&D, and lab gear by means of its Commonwealth Commercialization Fund (CCF). Virginia Microelectronics Consortium (VMEC) will proceed supporting scholar internship scholarships whereas meaningfully rising R&D funding efforts.

“A key pillar of Virginia’s Compete to Win financial progress plan is unleashing a gifted workforce by enhancing connections and getting ready Virginians to amass in-demand, marketable abilities,” stated Caren Merrick, Secretary of Commerce and Commerce. “This announcement is a terrific instance of the potential we will understand by coordinating alignment throughout authorities and statewide companions to launch artistic options.”

“Robust college partnerships, strategic applications, and an ongoing expertise pipeline are essential to be aggressive in recruiting on this trade,” stated Jason El Koubi, president and CEO of the Virginia Financial Growth Partnership (VEDP). “VAST will probably be a particular and compelling asset to market as we proceed to aggressively pursue this dynamic and rising sector.”

“Connecting innovators with alternative is VIPC’s mission, and we’re excited to assist catalyze personal funding and progress all through semiconductor, microelectronics, and nanotechnology associated end-markets,” stated Bob Stolle, president and CEO of VIPC. “We look ahead to collaborating with VAST to foster analysis commercialization and innovation breakthroughs.”

“Virginia is a superb residence for chips, microelectronics, and know-how,” stated Virginia Tech Professor Masoud Agah, founding director of VAST. “There’s a lot we will do regionally, and collectively we will do much more. This alliance leverages our collective strengths and mobilizes companions all through the state.”

“GO Virginia is happy to supply preliminary funding for VAST and help the chance it presents to speed up progress and innovation in an trade of strategic significance for the Commonwealth and our nation,” stated Nancy Howell-Agee, chair of GO Virginia.

VEDP and VAST will look to companion with firms in Virginia and firms trying to begin companies in Virginia as companions and collaborators. Please contact Shelby Zaricor at VEDP (szaricor@vedp.org) or Professor Agah with VAST (agah@vt.edu) for extra info.