July 25, 2025
K1 Semiconductor won 2nd place at the inaugural Grainger Engineering Tech Startup Challenge, securing $50,000 in funding for our revolutionary semiconductor wafer-splitting innovation that’s reshaping how chips are made.
Held on July 22, 2025, as part of the TechChicago Capital Summit powered by P33, the challenge brought together some of the most promising innovators in quantum computing, cybersecurity, AI, and sustainability from around the world.
In addition to the $50,000 cash prize, K1 Semiconductor was also awarded:
- $5,000 in in-kind legal services from Cooley
- $12,000 in advisory support from Hyde Park Venture Partners
- A one-year membership at TeamWorking by TechNexus
Redefining Semiconductor Manufacturing
At K1, we’re developing a platform technology that enables up to 20x semiconductor wafer reuse across high-performance materials. Our tech drastically improves material efficiency and reduces costs for chipmakers, unlocking new frontiers for industries including AI infrastructure, mobility, clean energy, industrial automation, and defense.
“It’s an honor to be selected as the second-place winner out of more than 110 applicants from 35+ top national and international universities,” said Connor Horn, Co-founder and CEO of K1 Semiconductor. “This recognition reinforces our belief that the future depends on advanced semiconductors and marks another step forward in our journey from academic research in lab to commercial deployment and real-world impact.”
K1 Accelerating Toward Scalable Impact
With support from world-class partners and the momentum of a growing network, we’re moving into the next phase of development: scaling our wafer-splitting platform and collaborating with private and public-sector partners to drive adoption across the semiconductor supply chain.
We’re deeply grateful to the Grainger College of Engineering, University of Illinois Research Park, Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and the broader TechChicago and P33 communities for their support in making this possible.
We’re proud of what we’re building and even more energized for what’s ahead.
