In this episode, Francoise speaks with Simon McElrea, an interconnectologist, about his career in and the evolution of interconnectology, emphasizing its importance in semiconductor packaging.
McElrea discusses his roles at semiconductor start-ups like Vertical Circuits and Invensas; his foray into wireless charging at Energous and FreePower; and his return to the semiconductor industry due to its current inflection point.
He talks about how the Chips Act favors large companies over startups and stressed the need for government support to attract young talent and foster innovation. Lastly, McElrea explained how to better support startups and disruptive technologies in the semiconductor industry through policies and funding.