Joe Costello Sells Latest EDA Startup, Metrics

Joe Costello, the former CEO of Cadence Design Systems, has made headlines once again by selling his latest EDA startup, Metrics Design Automation. Founded in Canada in 2017, Metrics has developed a revolutionary digital SystemVerilog and VHDL simulator that is available for free on desktops. The company's unique business model involves offering a cloud-based version of the simulator, allowing for scalable simulations on multiple processors to accelerate the design process.

Altair, a prominent player in the EDA industry, has announced plans to integrate Metrics' DSim simulator with its Silicon Debug Tools. This strategic move aims to make high-quality EDA design tools more affordable and accessible to companies seeking to enhance their design cycles through accelerated simulations. The financial details of the acquisition deal have not been disclosed, but industry experts anticipate significant benefits for both parties.

During the recent Design Automation Conference, Metrics showcased the capabilities of DSim, emphasizing the cost-effectiveness and scalability of the tool. Traditional design cycles often incur high licensing costs and require numerous seats to run simulations for complex chip designs. By leveraging DSim's support for System Verilog and VHDL RTL, engineers can run concurrent simulations at scale, significantly reducing time and costs associated with chip design.

"By combining our best-in-class software with Metrics' cloud-based simulation service, we are thrilled to introduce this groundbreaking technology to our EDA and semiconductor customers," stated James Scapa, CEO of Altair. The collaboration between Altair and Metrics represents a significant step towards offering innovative design verification solutions in a rapidly evolving industry.

DSim will be accessible through the Altair One cloud gateway, providing engineers with a flexible and modern approach to design verification. Joe Costello, executive chairman of Metrics, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership with Altair, highlighting the opportunity to expand and deliver scalable design solutions to a broader audience. The acquisition marks a milestone in the semiconductor industry, offering engineers a choice in design verification tools and delivery models.