Nowadays, most young people focus on college, careers, and jobs, but Rahan Mansuri, a resident of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, has entered the semiconductor manufacturing sector at a very young age. His company, MicroNex, is preparing to set up a factory in Sanand, Gujarat, to manufacture semiconductor lead frames with an investment of approximately ₹80 crore.
This venture is not related to any application or AI software startup; rather, it is directly involved in the hardware supply chain required to package chips. According to the company, construction work has begun, and the target is to start production by May 2027. In the initial phase, the plan is to produce around 50 crore lead frame units annually, which is expected to provide direct employment to about 250 people.
Hearing the name might suggest it is a small electronic component inside a chip, but in reality, a lead frame is an extremely thin metal structure onto which the semiconductor chip is mounted. It helps support the chip as well as connect it to external circuits.
The chip and the lead frame are connected by very thin gold or copper wires, after which the entire package can be connected to a circuit board. In simple terms, the lead frame plays a crucial role in the process of converting a chip into a usable package after it has been made.
MicroNex plans to make these lead frames from copper alloy, with a thickness between 0.1 mm and 0.25 mm. The company states that these parts also help provide mechanical support to the chip, dissipate heat, and ensure safety during manufacturing.
The company's initial strategy is to prepare lead frames for the power electronics and automotive sectors. As production capacity increases, there are plans to expand into consumer electronics and telecommunications sectors. MicroNex has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kens Semicon during SEMICON India 2026, which may pave the way for the company's lead frames to be supplied to semiconductor companies in the future. Additionally, the company has stated its plan to submit proposals under the Semicon 2.0 program of the India Semiconductor Mission.
Rahan Mansuri comes from a family whose business is related to plastic waste recycling, and reports indicate that the family has seven recycling units in India. Due to this background, he gained experience in manufacturing and business from a young age. According to Rahan, he noticed a gap in the lead frame segment of India's semiconductor supply chain. His initial focus is not on competing directly with large global companies on price or scale, but on helping local companies with local sourcing, quick delivery, engineering support, and design modifications.
MicroNex's project comes at a time when the entire semiconductor ecosystem in Gujarat is rapidly developing. Reports indicate that approximately ₹1.4 lakh crore has been invested in the semiconductor ecosystem in Gujarat. Projects related to semiconductor packaging and manufacturing are already being developed in Sanand.
