How SEMI and MSIG support engineers building the future of sensors

At Sensors Converge 2026, ipXchange spoke with SEMI and the MEMS & Sensors Industry Group (MSIG) to understand how the organisation supports engineers, startups and companies working across the sensor ecosystem.

SEMI is a global industry association for the semiconductor and electronics design and manufacturing supply chain. Its work covers industry events, standards, sustainability, workforce development, market data and community programmes. For design engineers, this gives SEMI a practical role beyond conferences. It acts as a connector between technology companies, suppliers, startups, analysts and industry groups.

Why SEMI matters to engineers

Engineers often meet SEMI through events such as SEMICON or Sensors Converge, but its remit is broader. The organisation helps companies track market direction, participate in standards work, understand sustainability requirements and connect with companies across the electronics supply chain.

That is useful for engineers working on products that need more than a component choice. Sensor and semiconductor projects often involve packaging, process knowledge, test, manufacturing, supply chain constraints, certification and ecosystem partnerships. SEMI helps bring those groups into the same conversation.

Supporting startups and market entry

The interview also covered SEMI’s Startups for Sustainable Semiconductors (S3) programme. This initiative connects startups with semiconductor industry mentors and corporate venture groups, with a focus on sustainability-related innovation.

For early-stage companies, that can help translate a promising technology into something the semiconductor market can understand, evaluate and adopt. That includes positioning, market fit, technical relevance and routes into larger industry players.

What MSIG adds for MEMS and sensors

MSIG is SEMI’s dedicated technology community for MEMS and sensors. Its role is to bring sensor companies together around shared technical and commercial challenges.

That focus matters because MEMS and sensor development does not always behave like conventional integrated circuit design. Products can be highly application-specific, with mechanical, electrical, packaging and environmental constraints all shaping performance. Scaling a MEMS product can involve unique development work for each design.

MSIG supports this ecosystem through events, industry groups, standards activity, thought leadership and member collaboration. For engineers building sensor products, it provides access to companies that understand the practical barriers between prototype, qualification and deployment.

Why this matters at Sensors Converge

Sensors Converge is built around the technologies shaping intelligent sensing, edge artificial intelligence (AI), internet of things (IoT) connectivity, energy harvesting and autonomous systems. That makes it a natural place for SEMI and MSIG to engage with engineers and companies building sensor-driven products.

The central message from the interview is clear. SEMI and MSIG are useful when engineering teams need industry context, market insight, standards involvement or access to the right sensor ecosystem partners.

For engineers working on MEMS, sensors or connected electronics, that can make the difference between solving a technical problem in isolation and finding the companies, data and communities that help move the product towards market.