India to modernise Semiconductor Laboratory spending Rs. 4,500 crore

India’s Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnav recently visited SCL, and outlined a plan to modernise the chip facility.(00:20) India to invest Rs. 4,500 crore to modernise SCL MohaliIndia will invest Rs. 4,500 crore to modernise and expand the government-run Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL) in Mohali, targeting a 100-fold increase in wafer production while ruling out privatisation, Electronics and IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said during a site visit. SCL will support chip fabrication for students, startups and defence-linked agencies as part of a broader push for indigenous semiconductor capability, according to a statement from the ministry.Listen to the episodeSpotifyYouTube(00:55) Mixx Technologies raises $33 million series A fundingMixx Technologies, a US-based deep-tech startup founded by specialists from Intel and Broadcom, has raised $33 million in Series A funding led by ICM HPQC Fund alongside TDK Ventures, Systemiq Capital, and others. The capital will accelerate development of its HBxIO silicon-integrated optical engine, boost global R&D (including in India), and drive adoption of high-efficiency AI infrastructure platforms.(01:29) Lightspeed Photonics raises $6.5 million for optical AI chipsLightspeed Photonics has raised $6.5 million in a pre-Series A round led by Pi Ventures to scale its solderable optical interconnects for AI and high-performance computing data centres.  The Bengaluru-based startup claims 4x faster data transfer and roughly 2x lower power use than existing links, and plans to split the funds between R&D and commercial pilots through 2026.(02:01) Reditus Space plans reusable reentry vehicle for microgravity R&D US startup Reditus Space has raised $7.1 million in seed funding to build ENOS, a reusable reentry spacecraft aimed at fast-turnaround missions for microgravity research and in-space manufacturing, Payload Space reports. The first ENOS flight, targeting a SpaceX rideshare next summer, will carry a pharma payload, reenter at over Mach 24, and test hardware designed for 20-plus missions and 40 kg payloads.(02:38) IonQ, CCRM to apply quantum tech to advanced therapies IonQ has struck an investment and technology partnership with Canada’s Centre for Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine to apply hybrid quantum and quantum-AI tools to bioprocess optimization, disease modelling and advanced therapy manufacturing. IonQ becomes core tech partner across CCRM’s global network, with initial quantum-biotech projects in Canada and Sweden slated for 2026 as part of IonQ’s expanding European strategy.(03:10) Sparrow Quantum raises €27.5 million for photonic quantum chips Denmark’s Sparrow Quantum has raised €27.5 million in Series A funding, in what it calls Scandinavia’s largest quantum-tech investment, to scale production of its Sparrow Core single-photon chip for room-temperature photonic quantum systems. The company plans to expand manufacturing and develop next-generation devices based on Niels Bohr Institute research, aiming to become a leading quantum chip supplier for European and global markets.(03:44) Vayavya Labs, SimDaaS tie up on autonomous mobility tools Software engineering firm Vayavya Labs has signed an MoU with IIT Kanpur–incubated SimDaaS Autonomy to co-develop simulation-led tools for autonomous driving, ADAS and AI-based virtual validation. The partners will combine digital twin, virtual electronic control units and traffic-scenario simulation capabilities to accelerate virtual testing for complex Indian conditions and export solutions to global mobility markets.(04:17) AI-detected ‘hidden’ lion roar may boost conservationScientists have identified a previously unknown “intermediary” lion roar that occurs alongside the classic full-throated call, using AI to sort thousands of recordings with about 95 percent accuracy. The added vocal signature can improve passive acoustic monitoring, helping estimate lion numbers and track individuals more reliably as wild populations fall to roughly 20,000–25,000 across Africa.