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For our Morocco network 🇲🇦 Our Managing Director, Taylor Nathaniel, will be in Morocco, based out of our Rabat office next week, meeting a number of our key partners. If you too, are planning expansion across the MENA region in 2026 and beyond, please get in touch to arrange a meeting.

Weekly Round Up: What's Happening in Silicon? A fast-moving week across semiconductors, AI policy, and sustainable innovation: U.S. policy and global trade: • The administration is reportedly slowing plans for broad semiconductor-import tariffs to avoid reigniting U.S. - China trade tensions. • Up to 35,000 NVIDIA Blackwell chips were cleared for export to the UAE and Saudi Arabia under strict security requirements. • The House introduced the SEMI Investment Act, extending the 35% tax credit to U.S. semiconductor material producers. • The president aims to block state-level AI regulation, despite 80% of Americans supporting government oversight. • The Netherlands paused its Nexperia intervention following constructive talks with China, which warned of supply-chain “turbulence.” Industry Momentum: • GlobalFoundries announced three major moves: acquiring Advanced Micro Foundry, partnering with Navitas Semiconductor on U.S. GaN manufacturing, and collaborating with BAE Systems on radiation-hardened space chips. Market Insights: • Deloitte predicts 75% of companies may adopt agentic AI by 2026, highlights chiplets as a 2026 geopolitical chokepoint, and expects EDA workflows to be increasingly burdened by export-control disclosures. Sustainability Becomes a Design Parameter: • imec is redefining the semiconductor playbook by adding “E” for environmental impact to the traditional PPAC metrics. Through imec.netzero, engineers will gain access to bottom-up LCA models for processes like lithography and etching; they enable carbon-aware decisions before a wafer is ever fabricated. Sustainability built in: • Under the EU Chips Act, imec’s NanoIC pilot line is emerging as a bridge between research and industrialisation - with a new emphasis on sustainable process flows for advanced logic, 3D integration, and photonics. Engineers gain early access to technologies that meet both performance and environmental benchmarks. Strategic partnerships shaping the future: • imec’s five-year collaboration with ASML integrates EUV and DUV tools to advance sub-2nm patterning while reducing lithography’s footprint - driving new sustainability-aware design rules and DFM practices. You can add to this the continued overperformance of AI related stock, and advances in Google's own LLMs (and the underpinning TPU chips underneath). Once again, a heavy week with regards to cutting edge semiconductor innovation & it's application in the real world. #AI #Data #Semiconductor #CLM #Acquisition References: - https://lnkd.in/e3PNAvVe - https://lnkd.in/e9jVzXvq - https://lnkd.in/eWfYpkri

🚗 GM is putting $4B back into U.S. manufacturing, and it’s a big signal about where the industry is heading. 🚗 General Motors just announced major investments across three plants in Michigan, Kansas, and Tennessee to boost production of both gas and electric vehicles. Here are the key takeaways: 🔧 Orion (MI): Switching gears by moving from EV-only plans to building gas-powered SUVs and trucks starting in 2027. 🏭 Fairfax (KS): Will build the gas-powered Equinox while still making the Bolt EV. ⚡ Spring Hill (TN): Adding gas Blazer production alongside current Cadillac EV lines. 📈 These upgrades bump GM’s U.S. capacity to over 2 million vehicles a year. 🌎 And overall, this move shows GM is leaning into flexibility as EV demand cools. #CLMSearch #AutomotiveManufacturing #Operations #PlantManager #ManufacturingLeadership #Headhunter #TalentAcquisition #USManufacturing #AutoIndustry #EV #ICE #ManufacturingJobs #ContinuousImprovement #LeanManufacturing https://lnkd.in/gYChpgRd

Will the AI Bubble Last? A Quick Take After NVIDIA's Earnings AI-driven markets are surging again on Nvidia’s blowout guidance, with semiconductor stocks leading global rebounds. The long-term story remains strong: hyperscaler capex is set to triple by 2027, AI chip revenues may grow ~40% annually through 2028, and demand continues to exceed supply. But investors shouldn’t expect a straight line up. The industry’s natural boom -bust cycles (the semiconductor cycle with bells on), a slowing rate of AI spending growth (base effects), and tighter Fed policy mean volatility is likely even if the broader AI trend stays intact. Bottom line: AI isn’t a bubble ready to burst, but the pace of gains will cool in the near term. Structural growth is real. The market’s trajectory won’t be smooth, and underpinning device stocks may suffer if they don't adapt. Real risk comes if the underlying investments faulter. References: - https://lnkd.in/epJ8Jbii - https://lnkd.in/epRYbJ49 #CLM #AI #Semiconductor #Hiring #Data

This Week’s Live Semiconductor Searches ⬇️ Our semiconductors team is supporting several high-impact hires across the U.S. market, with a strong focus on power electronics and advanced packaging/OSAT. If you’re exploring new opportunities or open to a confidential conversation, here’s what we’re working on this week: 🇺🇸 California • Director of Sales (Power) • Principal System Engineer – Digital Power • Principal Design Engineer – Digital Power • Principal Field Application Engineer (Power) • Key Account Manager (OSAT / Packaging) • Senior Sales Manager (OSAT / Packaging) 🇺🇸 Texas • Field Application Engineer (Power) These roles are with highly innovative businesses shaping the next wave of semiconductor and power technology. If you’d like to learn more, or know someone who might be a strong fit, feel free to reach out to Daniel Lyth for a confidential discussion.

Keeping Trade Secrets: Intel Corporation & TSMC The global push toward 2-nanometer (2nm) chips represents the next major leap in semiconductor technology, enabling faster, more efficient devices; from ultra-long-lasting smartphones to high-performance laptops and advanced wearables. Although “nanometer” is now a marketing term rather than a literal transistor size, smaller nodes still signal more advanced manufacturing. Companies like Apple, Intel, Samsung Semiconductor, and TSMC are all racing toward 2nm and beyond to secure technological leadership. At the center of this race is ASML, the Dutch company whose EUV lithography machines are essential for producing cutting-edge chips. TSMC dominates the industry and manufactures chips for Apple, Qualcomm, and others, while Intel is testing ASML’s next-generation EXE tools to revive its own manufacturing lead. Japan’s Rapidus Corporation is entering the arena with plans to build 2nm chips for niche markets. This technological competition is increasingly intertwined with corporate and national-security concerns. Taiwanese authorities launched an inquiry into former TSMC senior executive Wei-Jen Lo over the potential transfer of sensitive trade secrets to a foreign entity, as reported by Nikkei Asia. Lo retired from TSMC after 21 years. Throughout, he led R&D and advanced-technology divisions, accumulating over 1,500 patents. He reappeared at Intel in late October as a “vice president of R&D,” according to TrendForce 集邦科技. Reports from Liberty Times allege that before leaving TSMC, Lo requested and obtained confidential documents covering some of TSMC’s most advanced process technologies, including N2, A16, A14, and post-A14 nodes. Because of his seniority, these requests did not trigger internal security alerts. The material is now under scrutiny as prosecutors investigate whether an unlawful transfer occurred. Lo’s reported role at Intel involves overseeing advanced equipment and process modules from R&D to pre-mass-production. Although TSMC’s proprietary processes differ substantially from Intel’s, the information could still be useful for Intel’s competitive analysis or organizational insights. TSMC initially believed Lo was retiring and therefore did not require a non-compete agreement; he was even honored at a farewell event and received an ITRI Fellow distinction. His sudden reappearance at Intel, combined with the alleged document transfers, has triggered the current investigation. Taken together, this episode underscores an important reality: the race toward 2nm and beyond is no longer just about engineering breakthroughs - it has further come down to the geopolitical and multinational nuances. #CLM #Foundry #Semiconductor #Advanced #Packaging References below:

Samsung Semiconductor's $310Bn Investment in AI Expansion: How the EU Lags Behind Samsung just raised the stakes in the global AI race, having announced a record-breaking $310B investment over the next five years. The package spans advanced semiconductor manufacturing, next-gen AI data centers, and breakthroughs in electric vehicle battery technology. At the core is Pyeongtaek Plant 5, a cutting-edge facility set to boost Samsung’s dominance in high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips. These are part of the backbone of today’s AI systems. This move comes as demand for AI infrastructure skyrockets worldwide. Generative AI, automation, and data-driven industries are pushing chip capacity to its limits. South Korea, home to both Samsung and SK hynix, continues to strengthen its position as a global semiconductor powerhouse, supported by coordinated national strategy and deep technological expertise. What’s also notable: Europe remains far behind the U.S. and Asia in semiconductor investment. While Samsung, TSMC, and U.S. giants significantly scale capacity, Europe’s fragmented funding and slower industrial policy risk widening the competitiveness gap in this critical sector. The III pillars of the European Chips Act will likely reach only a third of what Samsung's coffers can dedicate. There's relevance in the argument of Public vs. Private capital, but the total volume utilized cannot be ignored. Samsung’s bold commitment signals a defining moment for the future of AI and global tech leadership. It sets a new benchmark for what it means to invest in the next era of innovation, paralleling investments we have seen prior from their Taiwanese competitors. References: https://lnkd.in/e3PWgajg https://lnkd.in/e7CstEeA https://lnkd.in/ejpbvnW3

Team Social at The Cube! 🎉 Last Friday, the CLM London team took on The Cube for our latest team social, and it did not disappoint. From high-pressure challenges to plenty of laughs (and a few surprising competitive streaks...), it was the perfect way to bring everyone together outside the office. At CLM, we’re big believers in celebrating teamwork both inside and outside of work, and experiences like this remind us just how lucky we are to have such an energetic, supportive, and fun team 💚 We're already looking forward to the next one!

Happy Friday, LinkedIn! The Vehicle Technology division at CLM Search are currently retained/exclusive on the following mandates. Therefore, if any of them could be interesting, please feel free to reach out. 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 & 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀: • Chief Commercial Officer (US or Europe) – ADAS / Autonomous Driving • VP of Business Development (US) – Autonomous Driving • 2x Senior Director of Sales (Germany) – SoC/ADAS/IVI - German OEM • Senior Director of Sales (Germany) – SoC/ADAS/IVI - Tier 1 - Joshua Duah • Director of Business Development (Germany) – Autonomous Driving • Director of Account Management (Germany) – Engineering Services - Edie Williams • Sales Manager/Director (US) – Sensor Modules - Edie Williams 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽: • VP of Silicon (US) – Perception Sensor • Head of Software (US) – Perception Sensor 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: • Managing Director (Brazil) - Automotive - Edie Williams I am ALWAYS interested in speaking with seasoned leaders in the space of ADAS/AD/IVI/Telematics/SoC or similar. If you have a proven track record and are looking to make more of an impact, then I would most likely have a place for you somewhere. #CLMSearch #VehicleTechnology #FutureMobility

Weekly Round Up: What's Happening in Silicon? What Matters Most at CLM 1) Photonics, GaN, and SiC Are Entering a Breakout Phase - Tower Semiconductor investing in SiPho & SiGe - GlobalFoundries licensing TSMC - Infineon Technologies leasing CoolGan to Enphase Energy - United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) producing metalenz Photonics Mickel Angelo Kugendran & I are seeing demand increase for hires in these spaces, executive through to advanced engineering levels. Access to high-voltage devices, optical interconnects & edge AI in greenfield sites is outpacing other key market segments. Particular points of interest are SiPho process integration, and reliability topics in both the SiPho & Power sectors. 2) AI Compute Architectures are Splintering - Examples including Baidu, Inc. M100 set to rival NVIDIA, or Majestic Labs ai receiving a $100m funding round for memory-disaggregated server arches. - d-Matrix, Tsavorite Scalable Intelligence, Tachyum all with impressive announcements. Each instance implies a move towards memory-centric compute in domain specific areas. In short, the beginning of a challenge to the GPU monopoly. 3) Policy & Geopolitics Are Now Core to R&D Strategy - CSIS states the Chips Security Act lacks clarity on AI-chip security features. - CFR urges onshoring of critical materials, substrates, chemicals. - Nexperia remain a common topic in supply chain conversation pieces. R&D choices now depend heavily on export controls, and government incentives. Will we see the engineering & geopolitical ties deepen, or resolve in the coming months? #CLM #Semiconductors #Research #AI #Power Reference: https://lnkd.in/eq_2fFyE