EDA: Looking for new avenues?

In February 2010, there are five events that indicate that EDA industry has started looking beyond its core areas of EDA and IP. These events are listed below in some random order:

1. On 18th February at a panel discussion during EDA Consortium (EDAC)'s Annual CEO Forecast and Industry Vision event, all the CEOs agreed that there is a need to explore new market segments. At the same time, they cautioned that new segments require sustained effort and considerable patience. The related news from EE Times is here.
2. Synopsys, the largest EDA company, acquired virtual system prototyping technology provider Vast Systems Technology Corp on 2nd February. Here is the news from EE Times.
3. Synopsys signed a definitive agreement to buy electronic system-level (ESL) design software vendor Coware Inc on February 8th. Here is the EE Times news.
4. Mentor Graphics, the third largest EDA company, acquired the Virtual Garage software suite from Freescale Semiconductor Inc. to expand electrical design scope. Here is the news from EE Times.
5. Mentor Graphics, on 16th February, announced it has named Serge Leef, current general manager of the System Level Engineering division, as Vice President of New Ventures. His role will be to expand the company into markets adjacent to EDA. The related news from EE Times is here.

Looks like EDA is looking into embedded/system level design for new growth opportunities. EDA industry is almost stuck at a US$4 billion market for past several years.