In an interview from Electronics Buzz, Vijay Bolloju, Director – R&D at iVP Semi, shares insights on India’s semiconductor journey. He highlights the need for ecosystem development, thermal design innovation, and industry-academia synergy to drive self-reliance and global competitiveness in power electronics.
Read the full interview here:
EB: What are the biggest challenges India faces in developing a self-sustaining semiconductor R&D ecosystem, and how can industry leaders address them?
Vijay: India’s semiconductor industry comprises of two key verticals: fabrication and application. While the application segment is relatively mature and well-established, the fabrication ecosystem is still in its nascent stages and faces significant challenges. These include a shortage of domain-specific expertise, a limited pool of skilled personnel, and underdeveloped supply chain infrastructure.
Bridging the skill gap requires long-term investment in industry-academia collaboration, supported by strategic technology partnerships. Encouraging curriculum modernisation and hands-on research exposure will also be crucial in nurturing talent. On the supply chain front, a robust network of MSMEs will play a vital role. Supporting their development through policy incentives and access to capital can catalyse the creation of a localized, resilient supply chain. As demand for fabrication grows, so too will the ecosystem, provided the right enablers are in place.
EB: How does iVP Semi’s fabless model contribute to India’s semiconductor growth, and what are the advantages of this approach in the current global landscape?
Vijay: iVP Semi’s fabless model utilizes already established eco-system to bring power semiconductor products and technologies to India in a fast and efficient manner. By focusing on IP development and licensing, the company aims to bring India-specific solutions to market efficiently.
With deep expertise in both semiconductor and system-level development, iVP Semi is uniquely positioned to design and manufacture products that are not only technologically advanced but also locally relevant. This end-to-end approach from power semiconductor IP creation to complete system integration enables the company to create value at multiple levels of the supply chain.
Ultimately, this model enhances India’s self-reliance in power electronics by providing high-quality, reliable products that meet domestic demands, while contributing meaningfully to the broader goal of strengthening India’s position in the global semiconductor landscape.
EB: With your extensive experience in power electronics, what key innovations do you see shaping the future of semiconductor technology in sectors like renewable energy and electric vehicles?
Vijay: In sectors like renewable energy and electric vehicles, the key is to understand how to effectively design systems with high voltages and high currents. While much attention is given to circuit design, an overlooked yet critical area is thermo-mechanical design. The country’s ecosystem for advanced thermal design and packaging is at infancy stage, which presents both a challenge and an opportunity. For examples, today the high current 2W & 3W inverters are designed by mounting SMT MOSFETs on FR4 PCBs. Due to poor thermal properties of FR4 material, the designers are forced to parallel up to about 10 MOSFETs to achieve the desired current output. By improving thermal performance though our patented construction methods, IVP semi’s solution can deliver the same output current using 2 MOSFETs in parallel.
At iVP Semi, the focus is on building a rich IP portfolio to achieve high power density, highly thermally efficient and reliable products. Additionally, we are actively investing in the development of a local manufacturing base for key materials / components, which is essential for long-term localization and supply chain resilience. These innovations, in both product design and ecosystem development are pivotal in driving the next generation of high-efficiency semiconductor solutions for clean energy and mobility.
EB: What role do industry initiatives play in bridging the industry-academia gap in India?
Vijay: Academic institutions, on their part, have a wealth of talented faculty, students, tool sets, test facilities that can be meaningfully utilized by the industry partners. Bridging the industry-academia gap is a two-way process that requires active engagement. Industry can play a vital role by setting up Centres of Excellence, facilitating faculty-industry exchanges, providing demo kits, conducting joint workshops, and contributing to curriculum development. These initiatives help align academic output with real-world industry demands, creating a more skilled and innovation-ready workforce.
At iVP Semi, we have established collaboration models with several academic institutions, including IIT Bombay and IIT Bhubaneswar, to advance power semiconductor device technology in India. Leveraging our system development expertise, we work closely with these institutions to identify areas where critical materials and processes can be localized through joint development. These partnerships not only support R&D but also foster innovation tailored to India’s unique needs. We also offer skill development through workshops, internships, and knowledge exchange programs aimed at training students and faculty in industry-relevant competencies.
EB: What strategies should India adopt to attract global semiconductor investments and enhance partnerships with international companies and research institutions?
Vijay: Global investments follow the demand trail. India should first focus on building a robust system design and manufacturing base to create sustained, high-quality demand for semiconductors. Designing and producing globally competitive systems will lay a strong foundation. The next step is to localize supply chains for supporting components such as thermal management materials, specialty chemicals, castings, and EMS facilities.
Once this broader ecosystem is in place, semiconductor manufacturing units like OSATs and FABs will integrate naturally. A well-developed value chain will not only attract global investments but also foster deeper collaboration with international companies and research institutions.
EB: Given the increasing demand for high-efficiency and reliable semiconductor solutions, what steps should Indian semiconductor startups take to compete on a global scale?
Vijay: India is a unique market with distinct product requirements that many MNCs often overlook. For Indian semiconductor startups, understanding these specific needs ranging from cost sensitivity to usage patterns is essential to designing successful products. Moreover, India’s geographical and climatic diversity demands that products be engineered to perform reliably across a wide range of environmental conditions.
Designers must account for factors such as high ambient temperatures, power fluctuations, and rugged usage, which are more pronounced in India than in many other markets. Meeting these challenges requires an innovative approach to balance performance, cost, and durability.
At iVP Semi, our design philosophy centers on “frugal innovation” and “hyper-localization” of the supply chain, enabling us to deliver global-quality products at India-relevant price points.
