Former Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger’s efforts to sustain Moore’s Law have received a significant boost after next-generation semiconductor startup xLight secured US$150 million in U.S. government funding. The federal support, confirmed under a new technology initiative, aims to accelerate the development of advanced chip manufacturing capabilities in the United States.
xLight is developing ultra-precise lithography systems designed to extend transistor scaling beyond the limits of current semiconductor technology. The startup plans to produce its first silicon wafers by 2028, with its first commercial manufacturing system expected online by 2029. The technology focuses on overcoming current photolithography barriers, offering process improvements that existing chipmaking tools cannot achieve at scale.
Gelsinger, a long-time advocate for the continuation of Moore’s Law, has emphasized that maintaining progress in semiconductor innovation is critical for U.S. technological leadership. He has repeatedly called for aggressive public–private investment to ensure that the U.S. remains competitive amid the global semiconductor race, particularly as Asia continues to dominate advanced chip production.
The federal funding signals Washington’s urgency to reduce dependence on overseas supply chains while bolstering domestic semiconductor capabilities. Analysts note that the investment aligns with broader U.S. strategies to support companies developing next-generation platforms for artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and high-density data infrastructure. By enabling xLight to scale its operations, the government is effectively betting on the revival of Moore’s Law as a national priority.
Industry experts view xLight’s work as crucial for sustaining innovation in microelectronics. With the semiconductor sector increasingly defined by geopolitical competition, the ability to produce high-performance chips domestically is seen as vital for both economic security and technological sovereignty. xLight’s initiative could provide a pathway for the U.S. to reclaim leadership in a field that underpins everything from cloud computing to autonomous vehicles and AI-driven applications.
The US$150 million funding package represents one of the largest federal investments in emerging semiconductor technologies in recent years. It also reflects growing recognition that continued transistor scaling is necessary to maintain improvements in computational power, energy efficiency, and chip density. For Gelsinger, the collaboration between industry and government is not merely a technical challenge but a strategic imperative.
With production timelines set for 2028 and 2029, xLight is expected to demonstrate whether next-generation lithography solutions can deliver the breakthroughs required to sustain Moore’s Law. The company’s success could reshape the global semiconductor landscape, giving the U.S. a competitive edge in high-performance chipmaking while mitigating vulnerabilities in critical supply chains.
ProCap seals SPAC merger as Anthony Pompliano accelerates Bitcoin-focused treasury strategy
