Q5 Interview - Simon Atkinson, Mirics Semiconductor

Simon Atkinson, CEO of wireless connectivity specialists Mirics Semiconductor, talks to Electronics Weekly about the UK and semiconductor start-ups, the high-tech skills shortage in the UK, and advice for students considering careers in electronics design...

1. Describe in two sentences the company business model.

Mirics provides system solutions - semiconductor and software - for converged wireless connectivity on portable consumer electronic devices such notebook PCs, media players and cellphones. The initial focus of the company is the delivery of broadcast content to such portable devices, and the product portfolio will grow to support other wireless content delivery technologies.

2. What makes the UK a suitable location for a semiconductor start-up?

Firstly, in my opinion, semiconductor companies today are actually IP companies. With a four decade-strong semiconductor industry in the UK, there is a good legacy and competence of IP creation in certain semiconductor segments. The withdrawal from the UK of numerous large semiconductor IDMs over the last 10-15 years has left a very talented pool of engineers. Coupling this available engineering talent and the historical IP creativity, together with an entrepreneurial culture, the core ingredients are readily available for UK semiconductor start ups.

3. There is much talk of a shortage of high-tech skills in the UK, what is your experience of this?

In the specific technology areas that the UK can compete in, there is no shortage of skills. For example, I would not necessarily start a software company in the UK - not because the engineering talent is not available - but because this type of technology can be developed much cheaper in locations such as Eastern Europe and India. However, in the sectors in which the UK does have a defendable value proposition such as systems, mixed-signal and RF design, I believe the local engineering talent is as good as anywhere else I have experienced. 

4. What gives you the biggest buzz from creating a start-up company?

Every day in a start-up poses new and interesting challenges that must be successfully navigated through. A complex, multi-faceted problem in a high-tech start-up typically spans multiple disciplines, from engineering, sales and marketing, through to financing, and this is what makes it so enjoyable. 

5. What would you say to students to encourage them to consider careers in electronics design?

Working in electronics design gives you the opportunity to develop technology that will shape many aspects of people's lives globally. From consumer lifestyle, through healthcare, to energy provision and the environment, many advances are underpinned by work done in the electronics sector. And, if that doesn't convince them, I'd point to the financial markets' recent history and ask: do you really want to become an investment banker?

See also: Q5 - Interviews with electronics industry leaders
Read all the Electronics Weekly Q5 interviews. From ARM's chairman, Sir Robin Saxby, to touchscreen technology firm Zytronic's MD, Mark Cambridge, the business leaders share their particular insights on the UK electronics industry.