Synopsys is playing a key role in India's growing semiconductor ambitions, partnering closely with Tata Electronics to support what may become the world's first AI-based semiconductor foundry at Dholera in Gujarat.
Shankar Krishnamoorthy, Chief Product Development Officer at Synopsys, confirmed the company's deep engagement in both the design and manufacturing pillars of India's semiconductor mission. "We are actually very excited about the India Semiconductor Mission," he said, speaking to DIGITIMES Asia. "We've been fairly instrumental in working with the government on enabling both the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) program and manufacturing-related initiatives."
At the core of Synopsys' work in India's manufacturing sector is its collaboration with Tata Electronics on the development of advanced process R&D capabilities, aimed at infusing AI-driven efficiencies into chip manufacturing. The Dholera fab project from Tata and supported under India's US$10 billion semiconductor incentive package, has taken on an ambitious dimension - to become the world's first AI-based foundry.
"You may have seen our very close collaboration with Tata Electronics in terms of their semiconductor manufacturing plant in Dholera, which is really something they want to build - the world's first AI-based foundry," Krishnamoorthy said.
While Krishnamoorthy did not elaborate on specific AI implementations, he hinted at foundational technologies that could automate and optimize everything from process control to defect detection and production scheduling. "Synopsys is deeply embedded, working with Tata Electronics with respect to all the foundational technologies for process R&D, in order to essentially achieve that objective," he said.
Strengthening design presence
With over 6,000 engineers spread across Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Noida, Synopsys is leveraging its Indian talent pool to develop cutting-edge agentic AI workflows in partnership with Microsoft, a strategic collaboration that promises to transform semiconductor design processes.
"Our vision is to replace many workflow steps with AI-driven agents that can autonomously execute complex design tasks," said Krishnamoorthy.
The collaboration with Microsoft, which began a couple of years ago with the introduction of Synopsys.ai Copilot based on Azure OpenAI Foundation models, has now evolved to incorporate advanced agentic AI capabilities from Microsoft's Discovery platform.
The company's approach focuses on developing task-level agents that could eliminate entire steps in the electronic design automation (EDA) workflow. These infrastructure components and agent technologies are primarily being developed by teams in Noida, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru.
"We are building building-block components for task-level agents and the underlying AI infrastructure to deliver this direction," Krishnamoorthy explained.
Working with startups and institutions
Synopsys has also been instrumental in supporting semiconductor startups funded through government initiatives, including firms like Calligo Tech and Mindgrove Technologies. By offering flexible, cloud-based tool access, Synopsys is enabling these early-stage companies to develop innovative design solutions without worrying about compute infrastructure.
Its commitment to India extends beyond commercial engagements. The company has established deep collaborations with premier academic institutions like IIT Bombay and IIT Kerala, focusing on building a specialized talent pipeline for semiconductor process R&D.
Since establishing its presence in India in 1995, Synopsys has grown to support over 100 global companies, including tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Nvidia. With an estimated 20–25% of global semiconductor professionals based in India, the company views the country as a critical innovation hub.
The ANSYS angle
The acquisition of ANSYS is expected to further expand Synopsys' capabilities, potentially increasing its total addressable market from $19 billion to nearly $30 billion. This strategic move enhances the company's ability to deliver comprehensive silicon-to-systems engineering solutions.
India's semiconductor market is projected to more than double to US$103.4 billion by 2030 from US$52 billion in 2024, according to the India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA). Synopsys is positioning itself as a key enabler of this transformation.
The company's approach goes beyond traditional design automation. By integrating AI-driven workflows, supporting startups, and investing in talent development, Synopsys is not just adapting to the semiconductor industry's evolution but actively shaping its future.
With significant investment in Indian R&D centers and strategic partnerships, Synopsys is signaling a long-term commitment to driving innovation in the global semiconductor ecosystem, with India at the heart of it.
Article edited by Jack Wu
