Startup Orca will customize to compete with ‘Big Analog’

Business news | May 27, 2024

By Peter Clarke

Orca Semiconductor Inc. (San Jose, Calif.), an IC developer founded in 2022, is looking to fill a void left by the recent consolidation of a number of analog and mixed-signal chip companies.

The company’s CEO is Andrew Baker, a veteran with 11-years of experience at Maxim Integrated prior to its acquisition by Analog Devices Inc. in August 2021 (see Analog Devices completes acquisition of Maxim Integrated). Orca’s CTO is Marco Demicheli, based in Como, Italy, who has amassed 10-years with STMicroelectronics followed by 23 years with Analog Devices.

On its website Orca states it intends to address analog and mixed-signal applications and provide customized solutions for products in connected health-care, Internet-of-things and industrial electronics.

In an article posted recently on Linkedin, Baker asserts that a wave of corporate consolidation across the analog and mixed-signal sector has left customers short of options when it comes to getting custom or semi-custom circuits made.

“Some examples of companies I put in the boutique category that have been consolidated are Linear Technology, Maxim Integrated and Dialog Semi. This has put customized analog semiconductor solutions out of reach for most customers, creating increasing frustration with the ‘Big Analog’ players,” he said.

Baker added that as a result of the consolidation creating fewer, larger analog suppliers only the largest customers with very large dollar opportunities get attention. The smaller ones are expected to standard products or shop elsewhere possibly developing a full-custom ASIC at great expense.

Orca is looking to hire analog and digital design engineers and IC layout engineers to work in Milan, Italy.