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Silicon Labs, the leader in low-power wireless connectivity, celebrated the opening of its new research and development (R&D) laboratory for advanced chip design and testing in Austin. The new R&D laboratory, made possible in part through a $23 million grant from the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund (TSIF) established by the Texas CHIPS Act, was officially opened during a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Silicon Labs senior leaders and employees alongside representatives from the State of Texas.
R&D Lab ribbon-cutting at Silicon Labs’ Austin HQ. From left: Nestor Ho, Chief Legal Officer; Nelda Hunter, HillCo Partners; Cameron Cocke, Committee Director, Texas House Appropriations Committee (Chair, Greg Bonnen, M.D.); Stephen Davis, Director for Economic Development & Tourism, Texas CHIPS Office in the Office of Governor Greg Abbott; Daniel Cooley, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer; Brian Peterman, Assistant General Counsel; Jacey Zuniga, Director of Communications.
News at a Glance
- What: Silicon Labs has opened a new R&D laboratory at its Austin headquarters, featuring advanced research, testing and validation equipment and engineering workspace for advanced chip design and testing.
- Why it matters: The new facility expands Silicon Labs' R&D capabilities, accelerates wireless semiconductor innovation, and supports the development of next-generation IoT technologies.
- Texas partnership: The expansion was funded in part through a $23 million grant from the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund (TSIF) established by the Texas CHIPS Act.
- Milestone: Silicon Labs celebrated the facility's opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by company leaders, employees, and representatives from the State of Texas.
"Our new Austin Innovation Center represents an important milestone in the partnership between the State of Texas and Silicon Labs to advance semiconductor innovation and reinforce Texas as the most attractive destination for semiconductor research, design, and development," said Matt Johnson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Silicon Labs. "This new space expands our ability to develop the next generation of wireless technologies that will further extend our leadership and the great impact this technology brings to the way we live and work."
Enabling the Next Generation of Wireless Technologies
The new R&D laboratory expands Silicon Labs' ability to develop, test, an validate the next generation of secure, intelligent wireless technologies that power the Internet of Things.
The facility supports continued innovation across Silicon Labs' wireless portfolio, including the company's Series 3 platform, which delivers advanced security, AI capabilities, and wireless connectivity for smart home, industrial, healthcare, commercial, and smart city applications. The TSIF funding allowed Silicon Labs to upgrade its equipment to work with more advanced wafer process technology nodes, and the expanded lab will enable engineers to accelerate product development, validate new technologies more efficiently, and collaborate across disciplines to bring innovations to market faster.
As demand for intelligent, connected devices continues to grow, the new facility positions Silicon Labs to continue advancing the wireless technologies that help make everyday products smarter, more secure, and more energy-efficient while keeping cutting-edge semiconductor research and development in Texas.
Strengthening Texas' Innovation Ecosystem
The Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund was established to strengthen domestic semiconductor leadership by supporting strategic research and development investments, reducing barriers to innovation, and addressing increasing global competition in the semiconductor industry.
As one of the world's largest companies dedicated exclusively to wireless IoT connectivity, Silicon Labs is helping advance the U.S. semiconductor industry through its leadership in wireless chip design. Investments in fabless semiconductor innovators like Silicon Labs strengthen Texas' position as a global center for semiconductor research, engineering, and technology development while fostering high-value jobs and long-term economic growth.
