<p>You can start a microchip company. They don’t call the area between San Francisco and San Jose ‘Silicon’ Valley for nothing. There’s a reason why it’s not called “Software Valley” or “Internet Valley” or even “Computer Valley”, it’s Silicon Valley because of the proliferation of semiconductor startups that were founded in the area, some (like Intel) which have become some of the most important companies in history. </p>
<p>Innovation continues aplenty in the semiconductor industry. If you can found a company that is selling a novel chip design, you can strike it rich. If you can found a company that creates high-tech capital equipment with which to create new chips, you can strike it rich. If you can come up with new electronics that takes advantage of new chips, i.e. an innovative cellphone design or computer design, you can become rich.</p>