Intel Alum Pat Gelsinger Seeks Federal Boost to Revive Moore's Law

Pat Gelsinger, a former Intel executive, is now a general partner at venture firm Playground Global, where he has been working with 10 startups. One of his portfolio companies, xLight, a semiconductor startup, announced a preliminary deal with the U.S. Commerce Department for up to $150 million in funding, with the government set to become a meaningful shareholder. This deal has sparked concerns about the Trump administration taking equity stakes in strategically important companies, a trend that has left many in Silicon Valley uneasy. According to sources, the xLight deal is a significant development in the semiconductor industry, where innovation and investment have been crucial for growth. xLight's technology focuses on developing advanced semiconductor materials and manufacturing processes, which could potentially help extend the life of Moore's Law, a decades-old principle that has driven the rapid advancement of computing power. Pat Gelsinger, who spent 35 years at Intel before being pushed out late last year, has been vocal about his desire to save Moore's Law, which has been facing challenges due to physical limitations and rising production costs. Gelsinger expressed his enthusiasm for the xLight deal, saying, "This investment is a testament to the potential of xLight's technology to drive innovation in the semiconductor industry. We believe that their work has the potential to extend the life of Moore's Law and continue to drive progress in computing power." The xLight deal is also seen as a strategic move by the U.S. government to support domestic semiconductor manufacturing and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers. The trend of the government taking equity stakes in strategically important companies has raised concerns about the role of free enterprise in the tech industry. California Governor Gavin Newsom expressed his unease about this trend, saying, "What the hell happened to free enterprise?" at a speaking event this week. This sentiment is echoed by many in Silicon Valley, who value the industry's free-market principles and worry about the implications of government intervention. The xLight deal is a significant development in the semiconductor industry, and its impact will be closely watched by industry experts and investors. The company's technology has the potential to drive innovation and growth, but the implications of government involvement in the industry will need to be carefully considered. As the tech industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how this trend develops and what impact it will have on the industry as a whole. The xLight deal is expected to be finalized in the coming months, and the company will continue to work with the U.S. Commerce Department to develop its technology. Pat Gelsinger and his team at Playground Global will also continue to work with xLight and other portfolio companies to drive innovation and growth in the semiconductor industry. As the industry continues to evolve, it will be essential to monitor the impact of government involvement and the implications for free enterprise in the tech industry.