ASX Tech Stocks: Weebit gets first wafers from semiconductor giant Skywater, eyes mass production

Weebit Nano progresses towards commercialisation with first wafers from Skywater
Calix nabs grant from Australian Renewable Energy Agency for ZESTY-iron demonstration plant
Satellite comms company to supply Iridium airtime to Telstra subsidiary

Semiconductor developer Weebit Nano (ASX:WBT) has received first silicon wafers it manufactured with embedded Weebit ReRAM from giant US-based semiconductor foundry Skywater Technology.

It’s a big step on the path to mass production for the company, with manufacturing now proven with standard tools and a mature process flow, making it easy for customers to adopt this innovative non-volatile memory (NVM) for development of their system-on-chip (SoC) designs.

The next step is full qualification of the chips – which is expected to be completed in the first half of 2023.

This process will be based on well-known JEDEC industry standards for non-volatile memories (NVMs) which impose rigorous testing of many silicon dies blindly selected from independent wafer lots as well as collect a significant data set for detailed analysis.

Once complete, Weebit can start mass production of its embedded ReRAM and the company says it’s already advanced discussions with potential partners and customers.

“This increases the confidence of potential customers in our IP, pushing forward companies interested in engaging with us, and we’re seeing discussions with potential customers ramping up as we get closer to production,” CEO Coby Hanoch said.

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Other tech stocks with notable news:

CALIX (ASX:CXL)

The environmental tech company has nabbed a $947,035 grant by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to help fund an 11-month Basis of Design (BOD) and Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED) study for a renewably powered demonstration plant for its Zero Emissions Steel Technology (ZESTY).

The company’s 30,000 tonne per annum, zero CO2 emissions ZESTY-iron demonstration plant uses hydrogen in a renewably powered reactor to produce green iron and ultimately, green steel.

And ZESTY is compatible with multiple iron ore types, including haematite, which Calix says provides pathways for one of Australia’s most important exports to become sustainable in a low carbon world.

The project will cover both the BOD and the FEED study required to determine the final location, specification and cost of the demonstration plant before a Final Investment Decision is taken.

BEAM COMMUNICATIONS (ASX:BCC)

The satellite comms company signed a contract to supply Iridium airtime to Telstra subsidiary Mobile Tracking and Data Pty Ltd (MTData).

“Through Beam and the SatPhone Shop business, we have been receiving more business in recent times from Australian enterprise and government customers for Iridium’s satellite network services and Beam terminals,” MD and CEO Michael Capocchi said.

“As satellite services are getting more advanced while becoming more affordable, organisations are starting to recognise the importance of having network coverage that goes beyond cellular and wifi. Satellite is no longer regarded as just a niche market opportunity.”

The value of the contract in the first two years (minimum contracted period) is in excess of $1.2 million, and unless otherwise ended, the contract rolls over yearly after that minimum term has expired.

AD1 Holdings (ASX:AD1)

The software player says it’s seeing strong momentum in North America, with its US sales pipeline of $3.2 million in lifetime value (LTV), based on historical customer retention rate of four years, up over 700% year on year (yoy) compared to approximately $400,000 this time last year.

AD1 puts this down to a recent increase in marketing activity, potential opportunities to secure new customers, and the upselling of existing contracts across multiple business and government sectors.

The company’s Art of Mentoring (AoM) platform has made a record-breaking start to the year in the US too, with total revenue up 126% year on year, driven by unprecedented new business sales.

AD1 anticipates new contract wins achieved in year-to-date FY23 will deliver an LTV of approximately $1.43 million – based on historical customer retention rates.

Plus, it signed eight new customers with a Total Contract Value (TCV) of ~$290,000 including key not-for-profit organisations Social Futures and She Raises Africa and a major Defence contract with an LTV in excess of $1.6 million.

SKYFII (ASX:SKF)

The company has signed a $2 million deal to deploy its tech at eight MacDonalds restaurants in the US, which will allow them to monitor restaurant service channels and efficiency of food preparation in real-time.

Throughout the three-year contract, Skyfii will use LiDAR and thermal imaging technology as well as a bespoke algorithm to automatically categorise and analyse the movement of crew and customers across the 12 service channels (including order at counter, order on mobile and drive-through) throughout the restaurants.