NPA’s Startups To Watch In 2021 & A Cool $2B investment

January 20, 2021

NPA's Startups to watch in 2021 & a cool $2B investment
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Lots of exciting news this month!

First off, we announced the NPA's Startups to watch in 2021. Check these companies out.

Well, well, well, Cruise is starting off red hot and just announced it pulled in an astonishing $2 Billon investment from Microsoft.


Welcome to 2021!
AND NOW SOME OPERATIONS NEWS
This Operations Update is provided with generous support from.
The State of Manufacturing
The overall PMI Index grew to 60.7% in December.

Pricing jumped an incredible 12.2% across all industries. More on that from our EPE guest contributor below.

Inventories and deliveries remain low due to global supply shortages and delivery challenges.
Average production material lead times keep getting longer, now at 69 days.
Electronic Component News (from our Guest writer at EPE Components)
You might have heard or already experienced the global shortage of many electronic components.

Specifically, Integrated Circuits (IC's) are causing distressing situations everywhere.

Just to give you one example, several car manufacturers have shut down or implemented reduced production at their plants.
The latest news is that Ford has stopped production in Germany at their high volume Focus plant for 4 weeks due to IC shortages.
Given this critical topic to everyone building electronic products, we are thrilled to have EPE Components / Electronic Parts Exchange provide us with their real-time information for the key component manufacturers.

Infineon: At full capacity for MOSFETs, expect delays and longer lead times.
Microchip: All new purchase orders are subject to (a new) NCNR (Non-cancelable, Non-returnable) window of 90 days as of 1/2021
Osram: All components are on full allocation.
Texas Instruments: At full capacity on many technologies. Overbooking and de-commits for the next six months and possibly for the entire 2021. The ability to support volume upsides are extremely limited. Added capacity is in place, but benefits are likely not recognized until the 2nd half of 2021.
Renesas: Longer lead times and increased pricing on all legacy products.
Xilinx: 25% price increases beginning 4/1/2021 for Spartan-6, Virtex-6,-7, and Kintex-7.
NXP: Allocation and cost increases for legacy products.
Broadcom: Constraints on all product lines.
Micron: Price increases on spot buys.
Koa: Allocation is in effect for RK73 series thick film resistors.

In general, expect price increases across all manufacturers due to increasing raw material costs and higher demands.

Lastly, Holidays across South East Asia are starting on February 11th. Many plants are shutting down for 1 to 2 weeks. If you need a product shipped, we recommend the following guidelines:
CHINA 
Holiday: Feb 11 - 17, 2021
Recommended ship by date:
Feb 8, 2021

HONG KONG
Holiday: Feb 12 - 15, 2021
Recommended ship by date:
Feb 10, 2021

TAIWAN
Holiday: Feb 10 - 16, 2021
Recommended ship by date:
Feb 8, 2021

MALAYSIA
Holiday: Feb 12 - 14, 2021
Recommended ship by date:
Feb 10, 2021

SINGAPORE
Holiday: Feb 12 - 13, 2021
Recommended ship by date:
Feb 10, 2021

INDONESIA
Holiday: Feb 12, 2021
Recommended ship by date:
Feb 10, 2021

We will put in a shameless plug for our Electronics Component News guest writer, Gerry Shapiro from EPE Components (gshapiro@epecomponents.com), for his helpful contributions.

If you ever need components in a hurry, he can always find them for you amazingly. EPE also has a great process to ensure all components are genuine OEM parts.
Need Purchasing or Contract Manufacturer help?
STARTUP STUFF
The Startup Update is provided with generous support from.
Drum roll, please.....

After many hours of research, analysis, and just plain stalking these companies, we concluded our process and are announcing the



NPA's Boston Hardware Startups to watch in 2021!
Just as in the past, we will report monthly about these companies on how they progress in growing and scaling their businesses.

Thanks to all that applied and sent us info, and congrats to all that ultimately made this year's list.
It's that time of year again, #Accelerator applications are starting up again, and we have had so much fun supporting CleanTechOpen now for several years.
@CleantechOpenNE (CTONE) wants the world’s top #cleantech #startups to join its 2021 #accelerator! Applications are open NOW and accepted on a rolling basis until 4/19/20 -- let us help get your #venture off the ground this year. To learn more and apply, visit here.
CTONE is also always looking for Mentors in all categories, business, engineering, law, fundraising, manufacturing, supply chain, sustainability, etc.

To check it out and apply, click here or contact us, and I will be glad to answer any Mentor questions you might have.
Our monthly survey
Do you think the Buccaneers will make it to the Superbowl?
Yes, because Tom Brady is still the GOAT.
Naaa, no chance.
ICYMI

To all my adrenalin junkie friends. Let's send it! Doctors can replace your blood with ice-cold saline solution to gain time fixing what just might have killed you. Suspended Animation
Source: NewScientist)


Pew, pew. The age-long question is finally answered. Why can the Empire's stormtroopers not shoot straight? MissItByAMile (Source: The Guardian)


The most important thing a Startup needs to get right- it's not the team or product. Mark my words (Source: The Pmarca Guide to Startups)
Cheers,
Jurgen
P.S. Contact us we are looking for support in Purchasing, Quality & Engineering. Most assignments are great for part-time and remote work!
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