Chipathon: Democratizing IC Design - A Global Open-Source Silicon Challenge
summary
Chipathon runs a multi-month IC design competition that actually delivers silicon: initial runs (61 submissions → 18 selected → 11 taped out in 2021; 54 → 22 → 14 taped out in 2022; 2025: 23 selected, 14 taped out), and attracts about 766 signups. Work uses SkyWater 130 shuttles, OpenROAD Initiative tooling, Python/GLayout for automation, and AI‑assisted P‑cell generation; repositories are automated with regression tests, measured results must be published, and alternative fabs replaced Efabless after the 2024 outage.
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chapters (12)
- 0:00Chip-a-Thon initiative
- 1:16Chip-a-Thon competition
- 3:04Chip-a-Thon evolution
- 5:53Automation and open-source 2025
- 7:18Chip-a-Thon resurgence
- 8:442025 competition tracks
- 10:32Chip-a-Thon phases
- 12:39Prizes for participants
- 14:04Tape-out results
- 15:30Open-source IC design vision
- 17:55Final presentations
- 19:17Q&A: Global participation
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