Writing GPL'd synthesis stuff is the #1 item on my "things to do when independently wealthy" list. Personally I'd start with reverse engineering Lattice's FPGA

Writing GPL'd synthesis stuff is the #1 item on my "things to do when independently wealthy" list. Personally I'd start with reverse engineering Lattice's FPGAs. They have the most documentation and the simplest chips. Plus as the third horse in the FPGA business they might be the most amiable about the advantages being more open provide.