+There are several Open VLSI Tool suites:
+
+* GNU Electric: https://www.gnu.org/software/electric/
+* MAGIC: http://opencircuitdesign.com/magic/
+* The OpenROAD Project: https://theopenroadproject.org/ (using MAGIC)
+* QFlow: http://opencircuitdesign.com/qflow/
+* Toped: http://www.toped.org.uk/
+
+and a few more. We choose Coriolis2 because of its python interface.
+The VLSI Layout is actually done as a *python* program. With nmigen
+(the HDL) being in python, we anticipate the same OO benefits to be
+achievable in coriolis2 as well.
+
+The case for the Libre RISC-V SoC itself was made already in the initial
+2018.02 proposal. That has not changed: there are no Libre / Open Projects
+approaching anything like the complexity and product market opportunities
+of the Libre RISC-V SoC, which is being designed to be a quad-core 800mhz
+multi-issue out-of-order design. All other Libre / Open processors such
+as Raven, and many more, have a goal set in advance not to exceed around
+the 350mhz mark, and are single-core.
+
+Other projects which are "open", such as the Ariane Processor, are
+developed by universities, and in the case of Ariane were *SPECIFICALLY*
+designed by and for the use of proprietary toolchains, such as those from
+Cadence, Synopsys and Mentor Graphics. Despite the source code being
+"open", there was absolutely no expectation that the processor of the
+same capability as the Libre RISC-V SoC would use Libre / Open tools.
+
+Although our first ASIC (thanks to Chips4Makers) will be only 180nm,
+single-core and a maximum of around 350mhz, this is just the first
+stepping stone to a much larger processor.