( ESNUG 453 Item 1 ) --------------------------------------------- [03/01/06]
Subject: Mike and Atul go to the DFM movies
Q: DFM is flooded right now with at least 25 start-ups. In your opinion,
which ones will still be standing in 2 years?
Mike -- Aprio, KLA-Tencor, PDF, Luminescent, Sagantec, Pyxis, Pulsic
Atul -- Clear Shape, Ponte, KLA-Tencor, Applied Materials
Q: Why are you both mentioning KLA-Tencor and/or Applied Materials here?
They're not EDA companies by any stretch of the imagination.
Mike -- True, they're not EDA companies, but they have deep expertise
in IC manfacturing issues such as metrology, modeling, and simulation.
Normally they make equipment for reticle and wafer inspection; they
should be quite powerful in DFM.
Atul -- They both have deep pockets and they understand manufacturing.
More importantly, they understand design information being used
intelligently in manufacturing. This sets them up to do well in DFM
in a way few other companies can.
Q: Out of the Big 4 (Mentor/Cadence/Synopsys/Magma), which will be the
dominant DFM solution in 2 years?
Mike -- Synopsys has the most pieces. If they can do a good job of
integrating it all, they'll have a good shot. But it's a long shot.
Atul -- Synopsys is almost as guilty as Mentor of trying to protect its
established RET/OPC tool base. Each own about half of this market. You
have to look beyond that. Out of the Big 4, I would bet on Synopsys but
only as a default bet; the others in the Big 4 having lessor prospects.
Q: As a DFM start-up, what's your most realistic exit strategy? Do you
really expect to IPO? If you plan to get acquired, who's your first
pick as the acquiring company and why? (Name names.)
Mike -- I have to manage Aprio with IPO as my assumed exit. That said,
given the history of EDA, I'll probably be acquired. There are two
companies that are a best fit for us right now: Cadence and KLA-Tencor.
(However, I gladly entertain any other reasonable offer. It has to be
a good fit and a good price. I'm not dying to sell the company right now.)
Atul -- I think DFM creates one of the few opportunities where a successful
company can IPO. I seriously think Clear Shape can IPO.
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