(Author: Judy Lin, Chief Editor, LEDinside)

Global leading research institute CEA LETI (LETI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Taiwan’s Institute for Information Industry (III) earlier Monday at the Howard Plaza Hotel in Taipei.

Listed by Reuters as the world’s top innovative research institute in March 2016, LETI, a research institute based in Grenoble, France, is a pioneer in nanotechnology and semiconductor miniaturization.

Under the MOU, LETI and III will work together closely to develop IoT and 5G technology while the two research institutes strive to submit a joint project together to the EU. 

Radio frequency based 5G technology will be provided by LETI and III’s role will mostly be providing technology protocols, the partnership will function largely under an EU framework, LETI’s CEO Marie-Noelle Semeria told LEDinside at the institute’s forum “Imagine Your Future with LETI".

Speaking about the facilitation of the partnership between the two research institutes, developments in IoT and 5G technology was the main driver behind the signing of the MOU. An EU delegation visited Taiwan and France earlier before the deal was signed, she added.

CEA LETI (left) and Taiwan's Institute for Information Industry (III) (right) representatives sign MOU at Howard Plaza Hotel in Taipei. (LEDInside)

The partnership between LETI and III marks the beginning of the French research institute’s growing interest in forming partnerships with Taiwanese companies, as it seeks new partners in Taiwan and potential foundry partners to license its strong portfolio of patents.

“We have about 300 new patents per year,” said Semeria. “We believe Taiwan is well positioned (in the semiconductor industry).”

Partners of CEA LETI are granted access to its background framework. All CEA LETI partnerships are based on clear intellectual property rules, where ownership is assigned to the employer of the inventor, explained Semeria. In the case of co-inventions, patent ownership is shared among participating institutes.

Responding to the criteria for assessing potential partners, Semeria highlighted the importance of innovation and trust. The research organization is seeking for partners with pioneering and innovative new technologies that are open to developing new solutions.

Commenting on some of her main aims in her recent trip to Taiwan, Semeria said one of the goals was to link with innovative leaders, and finding partners that can add to LETI’s international scale up strategies. As of date LETI has more than 500 international commercial partners worldwide.

Another aim of LETI is opening up Taiwan’s ecosystem so French start-ups can gain access in the Taiwanese market, said Semeria.