The final BritChips podcast for 2025 is both special and different.

It’s special is because my guest is a tech pioneer who would get my vote were there to be an election for the role of UK semiconductor industry National Treasure.

He’s Royal Society fellow, David May, the architect who led the development of the transputer, the first microprocessor designed for parallel computing.

He’s also the creator of May’s Law, in which he states that ‘software efficiency halves every 18 months, compensating Moore’s Law’ (and if you don’t know what Moore’s Law is, then you’re probably listening to the wrong podcast!).

David also played a key role in starting two microelectronics companies, Inmos and Xmos, where he led the microprocessor design activity.

He is now Professor of Computer Science at the University of Bristol, where he mentors some the UK’s up-and-coming deep tech entrepreneurs.

I was introduced to David about six months ago and subsequently met him at his home in Bristol in October. There we had a long chat about ‘life, the universe and everything’ in the semiconductor industry.

During the conversation David mentioned a talk he gave earlier this year to budding entrepreneurs at Bristol University in which he posited that (and I quote), “Our educational system isn’t creating entrepreneurs”.

David agreed to repeat the talk for a BritChips podcast, which we recorded a couple of weeks later.

Now, David’s speech originally ran for about 20 minutes. However, this podcast runs for nearly double that, and if you have ever had the privilege of chatting with David, you will understand why (though it was mainly my fault for interrupting him with questions!)

So settle back for the next 37 minutes and hear David air his provocative views on entrepreneurship, innovation and so much more. Here’s some of his key messages:

* The UK educational system is not producing enough entrepreneurs.

* Creativity and innovation should be prioritized in education.

* Students often lack the confidence to lead their own ventures.

* Real-world experience and mentorship are crucial for aspiring entrepreneurs.

* Curriculum changes are necessary to foster entrepreneurship.

* Social enterprises should be more prevalent in the market.

* Sustainable practices in technology are essential for the future.

* The UK semiconductor industry needs more ambitious funding.

* Education should focus on experiential learning and teamwork.

* The know-how in technology must be passed on to future generations.

BritChips will return with Series 3 in the new year.

[P.S. I must apologise that David sounds like he was speaking to me through a cushion in a long tunnel. I have improved the clarity as best I can, and the transcript should help, so may I only ask that you please bear with.]

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