Q5 interview - Dr. Ebrahim Bushehri, Lime Microsystems

Dr. Ebrahim Bushehri, CEO of semiconductor start-up Lime Microsystems, talks to Electronics Weekly about a shortage of high-tech skills in the UK, the biggest buzz from creating a start-up company, and how to encourage students to consider careers in electronics design...

Describe in one sentence the company business model.

Lime Microsystems is a fabless semiconductor company that creates RF transceiver ICs for the next generation of small basestations.

What makes the UK a suitable location for a semiconductor start-up?
 
Firstly, there is a healthy presence of well known VCs operating in the UK. For example, Lime is backed by ACT Venture Capital and DFJ Esprit.

Secondly, there are clusters of high-quality engineering 'talent' in certain areas of the UK. Cambridge is the hotspot for both engineers and start-ups. Bristol is also well-known for being an area of activity in the electronics sector.

Thirdly, there have been quite a number of successful electronics start-ups as well as successful exits for investors in the UK. I'm talking about companies such as CSR and AlphaMosaic. These cases provide both encouragement and a model for other entrepreneurs to follow.

Fourthly, the UK government provides grants and tax incentives for start-ups, giving a reasonable return to founders. Other sources of support are also available in the UK; UK Trade and Investment is one that springs to mind. UKTI can support start-ups that wish to participate at trade shows - exhibiting at these shows can otherwise be way above the budget of many start-ups. They can also advise on exports and overseas business practice.

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

We have experienced shortages in the area of RF design, in particular. Traditionally, this has always been the case due to lack of interest in the topic from University students and their reluctance to study the subject in-depth as a result. More recently, we've seen a shortage in people with the skills needed to implement these designs, such as layout engineers.

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

For me, it's coming up with new and exciting products, seeing them develop at every stage, right through to manufacture and ultimately, deployment. It's really very satisfying. Of course, there is always the possibility of significant financial rewards which helps to keep things interesting!

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

Engineering today is not about working on a given circuit design project, glued to your workstation and working in isolation.

As a design engineer you need to develop skills in the design of complex systems and work as part of a large group of engineers, often in different geographical locations. This requires excellent communication skills, understanding of customer requirements and in-depth knowledge of their business which make career in the field all the more interesting.

See also: Is this the universal femtocell basestation?

See also: View Jobs By Role - ASIC / IC Design Engineering

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.

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