Week 4: I-MOS Semiconductors

- Would you invest in this business? Why or why not?
From this business plan, it looks that investing in this business is quite prospective. However, I must to investigate this field and potential market further before I make the decision. Turning to a consulting company may be the first step for me because I need more useful information about this field that I am not familiar with.

- How strong is the company's industry position?
The company has achieved a breakthrough that solves a problem plaguing the semiconductor industry for the past 30 years. This technology offers a 1000x reduction in static power dissipation and a 30 percent increase in chip performance, contributing a lot to development of semiconductor industry.

- How clear is the value proposition?
The company is dedicated to solve the Static Leakage Problem faced by semiconductor industry for past 30 years. The I-MOS solution not only dramatically reduces static power consumption and increases chip performance, but it does so without increasing semiconductor fabrication costs. The I-MOS solution is cost-effective, by working in conjunction with standard CMOS processes, and increases manufacturing efficiencies, due to lower device variations.

- How targeted in the customer base?
As we see, the company is intended to commercialize this technology by licensing it to three main target customers, which are integrated device manufacturers, fables semiconductor companies, and semiconductor foundries.

- How unique is the business model?
This business model looks not so unique. The company derives multiple revenue streams from each licensing arrangement: the manufacturers pay I-MOS an upfront license fee and a per chip royalty fee, and the foundries pay a per wafer fee. This model should be kind of universe in this hi-tech industry.

- How protected is the IP?
IP is well protected because they hold the patent right. But the company is not the only one to hold IP.

- How experienced is the management?The management seems to be well experienced. Especially, the marketing team knows how to launch the technology to the market.