The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (Minister Oh Young-joo, hereinafter referred to as the Ministry of SMEs and Startups) announced on the 11th that it will announce the 'Fabless Startup Consistent Support Project' to systematically foster 'fabless startups', which are the core of the system semiconductor industry, whose importance in the global market is increasing due to innovation in AI technology.
Fabless startups have the strength to develop innovative semiconductor design technologies that large companies find difficult to attempt, and in particular, they play a key role in securing technologies that will lead next-generation markets, such as artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductors and low-power semiconductors, so systematic support is very important.
This project is the first stage of the 'Micro Super Gap' program, which was newly established this year among the three stages of the 'Super Gap Startup 1000+ Project' program announced last month.
This was newly established this year to implement the request for customized support for each stage of fabless startups suggested by the 'Fabless-Foundry Symbiotic Council' established by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups in April last year to ensure regular communication between the Korea Fabless Industry Association and all domestic foundries.
This announcement will select a total of 30 promising fabless startups in three stages: development stage, growth stage, and scale-up stage, based on their experience and technological capabilities. The support details for each stage are as follows.
① Development period
We will select six fabless startups in the early stage and provide KRW 100 million in technology commercialization funds, actively support design assets (IP, EDA Tools) required by development-stage fabless startups, and provide IR opportunities for attracting investment.
② Growth period
We will select 20 fabless startups preparing to enter the domestic market, provide 200 million won in technology commercialization funds, provide a prototype manufacturing (MPW) process, and provide opportunities for collaboration with large domestic corporations and other demand companies.
③ Scale up
We will select four high-tech fabless startups preparing for overseas expansion and provide 250 million won in technology commercialization funds, and support product verification, etc. in cooperation with large companies that have verification infrastructure for semiconductor mass production and commercialization.
This announcement will accept applications from February 11 to 27, and among the startups selected for this project and supported, startups that have achieved excellent results through performance evaluations will be provided additional support to enable them to enter the global market by linking them to the ‘Super Gap Startup’ project.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups plans to hold the 'Fabless-Foundry Symbiosis Council' in the first quarter, with the participation of the fabless industry, domestic foundries, and experts, in order to secure competitiveness in Korea's fabless industry and system semiconductors in general, and discuss the plan to promote the '2025 Fabless Challenge' and policies to support fabless startups.
Minister Oh Young-joo said, “In order to revitalize the system semiconductor industry, which is the nation’s future food source, it is essential to foster fabless startups, which are a key field,” and added, “We will actively pursue related policies so that promising fabless startups can gradually grow through this project, strengthen their competitiveness, and play a key role in the global market.”
Detailed information on the integrated announcement can be found on the K-Startup Portal and the website of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups .
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