ST for Startups
Collaboration. > 50 startups actively engaged.
R&D investment. 17% of our revenues in 2025.
Pivot role. 9,500 working in R&D and Product Design.
We continuously nurture our open innovation ecosystem through a range of initiatives.
ST for Startups provides privileged access to ST products and semiconductor technologies, as well as a dedicated ST expert throughout the engagement. Validate your concept, codevelop with ST engineers, and scale through the ST’s global manufacturing network.
What ST for Startups offers
Why Startups should work with ST
- ST is in an integrated device manufacturer (IDM) with end-to-end design, R&D, and manufacturing capabilities.
- ST offers a broad portfolio of sensors, microcontrollers, power devices, RF, connectivity, and automotive ICs.
- ST is an IDM with European headquarters, manufacturing and global capacity. This structure allows startups to work with a single company through design, bring-up, and scaling phases.
- ST provides MPW access for its MEMS, RF CMOS, 28 nm FD-SOI, CMOS image sensors, and BCD technologies.
- ST has more than 9500 R&D and product design experts across global R&D and application centers.
- The ST Partner Program includes 300+ partners and provides a path to greater visibility and market reach.
- ST supports co-marketing through joint promotions and joint participation in trade-fairs with selected startups.
How ST engages with Startups
ST works with startups across different maturity stages of product or technology development.
Silicon development stage
Multi-Project Wafer (MPW) access to ST technologies with a path to volume manufacturing.
Proof-of-Concept development stage
Engagement through Proof-of-Concept centers and sample-based development. Hosting at select locations.
Business growth & ramp-up stage using ST products
Ramp-up support, ecosystem visibility, customer connections, visibility through ST Partner Ecosystem Program and scaling for growth.
Silicon development stage
Multi-Project Wafer (MPW) access to ST technologies with a path to volume manufacturing.
Proof-of-Concept development stage
Engagement through Proof-of-Concept centers and sample-based development. Hosting at select locations.
Business growth & ramp-up stage using ST products
Ramp-up support, ecosystem visibility, customer connections, visibility through ST Partner Ecosystem Program and scaling for growth.
Lab-in-Fab: piezoMEMS R&D in a high-volume environment
Lab-in-Fab is an 8-inch R&D line dedicated to piezoelectric MEMS, operated within ST's Ang-Mo-Kio campus in Singapore.
What Startups get
Access to a fully operational 200 mm piezoMEMS line co-located within an ST high-volume manufacturing site.
Multi-Project Wafer service based on Lab-in-Fab's piezoMEMS platforms.
A direct path from prototype through to volume production using ST's manufacturing infrastructure on the same campus.
Imaging premium foundry
ST's imaging premium foundry, based at the Crolles fab in France, provides selected startups with privileged access to ST's advanced imaging process capabilities for prototyping and custom development.
RF CMOS, 28 nm FD-SOI, and BCD
Multi-Project Wafer (MPW) access to these technologies is granted to selected startups after signing additional legal documents.
Engineering & portfolio depth
Looking to accelerate development with technical support and ST products?
Selected startups work with ST experts from a global community of thousands of R&D engineers.
ST provides access to its advanced portfolio of products and evaluation boards or development kits to startups building new and innovative system applications using ST references.
Startups operating in areas such as edge AI, robotics, optics, power and energy, automotive software, quantum sensing, healthcare and medtech, humanoids, IoT, people sensing, microgrids, and other applications can scale their projects with ST as an innovation partner. We support you in achieving technical breakthroughs.
Ecosystem & visibility
Looking to reach customers, investors, or ecosystem partners?
ST opens routes into the broader ST ecosystem. It offers potential graduation paths through the ST Partner Program, which includes more than 300 active partners. ST also supports joint marketing and promotional activities and facilitates connections with ST customers.
Who can apply
Startups that are developing or intend to develop innovative electronics systems and applications using existing ST products.
Startups that address applications aligned with ST strategic focus areas: smarter mobility, more efficient power and energy management, edge AI, and cloud-connected autonomous things.
Startups that are registered legal entities and willing to enter ST legal framework protecting both parties' interests.
What happens after you apply
ST reviews each application against its strategic priorities. If the application is a positive fit, ST schedules an introductory conversation, agrees on a legal framework, and assigns a dedicated ST expert to interface with the startup. ST informs the startup at every step of the application process.
How it works
A four-step process that gives applicants a clear view of the evaluation.
1. Apply
Submit your application through the online form. Include your company presentation, technical details, and proposed collaboration with ST.
2. Assessment
ST reviews the application against its current strategic focus areas, then arranges discussions with experts to determine the scope of engagement and assess the fit.
3. Engagement scope
If there's a fit or a need to sign an NDA before sharing confidential information, ST proposes a legal framework to protect the interests of both parties.
4. Build and scale
Achieve your Proof-of-Concept development goals with our support, ST assigns a dedicated expert, with a collaboration covered by a NDA.
1. Apply
Submit your application through the online form. Include your company presentation, technical details, and proposed collaboration with ST.
2. Assessment
ST reviews the application against its current strategic focus areas, then arranges discussions with experts to determine the scope of engagement and assess the fit.
3. Engagement scope
If there's a fit or a need to sign an NDA before sharing confidential information, ST proposes a legal framework to protect the interests of both parties.
4. Build and scale
Achieve your Proof-of-Concept development goals with our support, ST assigns a dedicated expert, with a collaboration covered by a NDA.
Incubator & accelerator partners
ST collaborates with leading accelerators, incubators, and other partners to identify, develop, and support startups in its focus areas. The ecosystem partners are listed below. In addition, ST works with promising venture capital firms to identify relevant startups.
Motor Valley Accelerator (Italy)
Plug and Play accelerator focused on mobility, automotive, and connected vehicles. ST is an anchor partner.
Silicon Catalyst
The world's only incubator dedicated to semiconductor solutions, covering chips, IP, MEMS, photonics, materials, and life sciences. ST is a Strategic and In-Kind Partner.
Software République
Consortium of six European industry leaders (ST, Atos, Dassault Systèmes, Orange, Renault Group, Thales) building a European ecosystem for secure and sustainable mobility.
28DGTL
European deep-tech and digital transformation network supporting startup growth across Europe. Formerly known as EIT Digital.
Frequently asked questions
ST for Startups is for hardware and semiconductor-related startups whose technology aligns with ST's strategic focus areas: smarter mobility, more efficient power and energy management, edge AI, and cloud-connected autonomous things. We work with startups from proof-of-concept stage through growth.
Through the ST for Startups online application form. You'll be asked about your company, technology, maturity stage, and what you're looking for from ST.
Privileged access to ST technologies (including MPW programs across multiple processes, Lab-in-Fab piezoMEMS in Singapore, and imaging premium foundry access in Crolles), engineering support from ST experts, evaluation boards and device samples, marketing and ecosystem visibility, and a dedicated ST expert for the engagement.
ST for Startups is not a venture capital fund. We do not provide direct equity investment. The value we offer is technology access, engineering support from a dedicated ST expert, and ecosystem connections. We can introduce participating startups to our wider investor network through partner programs.
Every engagement is framed by a legal agreement, including NDA terms where appropriate, that protects both parties' IP from the outset. Specific terms are agreed before substantive technical work begins.
Engagements vary by program and scope. Technology or Proof-of-Concept engagements are scoped per project. All engagements are reviewed periodically.
ST for Startups operates globally. Any startup can apply online to this program and all applications are reviewed based on their merits. In some countries, there are local programs and hosting may be available.
MPW services across RF CMOS, 28 nm FD-SOI, CMOS image sensors, BCD, our Lab-in-Fab for piezoMEMS in Singapore, and our Imaging premium foundry in Crolles. Access to the full ST product portfolio across sensors, microcontrollers, power, RF, connectivity, and automotive ICs is available to startups building their systems using ST products.
After acceptance, ST assigns a dedicated ST expert (innovation manager) who is your single interface for the duration of the engagement. The ST expert connects you to ST's global technical staff, regional labs, and ecosystem partners as needed.
No. ST for Startups engages startups across maturity stages, from proof-of-concept through to growth phases.
We focus on startups developing hardware or semiconductor-intensive solutions. Pure software-only startups, service-only providers, and consulting companies are generally outside the program scope.