The semiconductor industry is evolving rapidly, expanding opportunities for value-creating innovation in areas such as AI optimisation in fabs, advanced packaging and sustainability. As technology development and commercialisation become more complex, collaboration among stakeholders is becoming increasingly important and a key factor in competitiveness. Lam Research is accelerating ecosystem-building through Lam Capital, its corporate venture arm. Its venture competition connects promising semiconductor and deeptech startups with companies, investors and experts, offering finalists networking and a $250,000 investment offer for the winner.

A worsening shortage of AI chips is prompting major cloud companies to allocate GPU inventory first to internal demand and large customers, increasing pressure on AI startups. Some startups are said to be paying higher costs to access GPU servers. The Information reported that even heavily funded startups are affected, as demand from major AI developers rises and cloud providers limit capacity for smaller clients while raising fees for Nvidia GPU servers.