On March 18, 2025, Sofics and Dolphin Semiconductor announced a strategic partnership aimed at revolutionizing integrated circuit (IC) design for high-growth sectors like IoT, wireless, and automotive. This collaboration, rooted in complementary expertise, promises to deliver robust, high-performance IP solutions that address the demanding needs of modern connected technologies.

A Synergy of Strengths

Sofics, a Belgium-based leader in specialty I/O and on-chip electrostatic discharge (ESD) solutions, brings a proven track record of over 5 billion chips integrated with its IP across more than 5,000 tape-outs worldwide. Its solutions are critical for ensuring IC reliability in harsh environments, a necessity for applications in automotive, IoT, and wireless markets. Dolphin Semiconductor, headquartered in France, specializes in mixed-signal IP design, offering cutting-edge solutions in power management, high-quality audio, power metering, and design robustness. Together, their combined expertise creates a powerful offering for IC designers seeking faster time-to-market and enhanced performance.

The partnership leverages Sofics’ ESD protection and specialty I/O IP alongside Dolphin’s strengths in ultra-low-power solutions and audio processing platforms. This synergy enables IC design teams to tackle complex challenges in sectors where reliability, efficiency, and speed are paramount. As Bart Keppens, Chief Business Development at Sofics, stated, “By partnering with Dolphin Semiconductor, we are providing our customers with a more complete IP solution, especially in sectors where performance, reliability, and time-to-market are critical.”

Targeting High-Growth Markets

The collaboration is strategically positioned to meet the surging demand for advanced semiconductor IP in IoT, wireless, and automotive applications. Dolphin Semiconductor’s technologies, such as its ultra-low-power solutions, are tailored for the connected world, powering devices from wearables to smart sensors. Meanwhile, Sofics’ ESD solutions ensure product longevity in challenging environments, a key requirement for automotive and industrial IoT systems. Hakim Jaafar, VP of Marketing & Application Lab at Dolphin Semiconductor, emphasized, “Joining forces with Sofics enables us to offer our customers additional value through proven I/O and ESD protection that complements our power management offers.”

The partnership also aligns with broader industry trends. The semiconductor market has seen explosive growth in IoT and automotive sectors, driven by the proliferation of connected devices and electric vehicles. Dolphin Semiconductor’s focus on energy-efficient solutions supports the industry’s push for sustainability, while Sofics’ robust ESD protection addresses the need for reliable performance in mission-critical applications.

Mutual Benefits and Customer Focus

Under this agreement, Sofics and Dolphin Semiconductor will refer customers to each other, ensuring access to optimized IP solutions tailored to specific project needs. This collaborative approach streamlines the design process, offering greater flexibility and reducing development costs. For IC design groups, this means access to a comprehensive portfolio that spans custom I/Os, ESD protection, power-efficient computing, and enhanced safety features.

The partnership builds on Dolphin Semiconductor’s recent momentum. In April 2025, the company secured a €10 million investment from Vertex Growth to expand its R&D and commercial efforts, complementing a €26 million commitment from Jolt Capital in November 2024. These investments underscore Dolphin’s growing influence in the semiconductor IP sector and its ability to scale operations to meet global demand.

Looking Ahead

The Sofics-Dolphin Semiconductor partnership is a significant step toward addressing the semiconductor industry’s evolving needs. By combining Sofics’ expertise in ESD protection with Dolphin’s innovative mixed-signal IP, the collaboration is well-positioned to empower IC designers to create next-generation products that are efficient, reliable, and sustainable.

As the demand for IoT, wireless, and automotive applications continues to grow, this partnership highlights the importance of strategic alliances in driving innovation. With a shared commitment to customer success and technological advancement, Sofics and Dolphin Semiconductor are poised to make a lasting impact on the global semiconductor landscape.

Source: https://dolphin-semiconductor.com/sofics-and-dolphin-semiconductor-announce-strategic-partnership-to-accelerate-ic-development-for-iot-wireless-and-automotive-applications/