As the AI industry market expands and demand for low-power semiconductors increases, securing technologies that can lead the next-generation semiconductor market is emerging as a key to national competitiveness. Accordingly, the government has rolled up its sleeves to foster fabless startups with strengths in developing innovative semiconductor design technologies.

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.

This project is recruiting 30 companies as part of 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.

It is divided into three stages of development, growth, and scale-up based on experience and technical skills, and support is provided step by step. The development stage is the stage of developing and preparing products and services, and 6 fabless companies in the early stages will be selected and supported with 100 million won in technology commercialization funds. Necessary tools such as design assets will be supported, and opportunities for IR to attract investment will be provided.

The growth stage selects 20 fabless companies that are seeking to enter the domestic market by launching products and services, selling them to domestic demand companies, and expecting to generate sales. We will provide opportunities for collaboration with domestic large corporations and companies in demand, including support of 200 million won in corporate commercialization funds and provision of MPW prototype manufacturing processes.

Scale-up is a stage where overseas expansion is possible due to rapidly increasing sales and global demand, and four fabless companies with advanced technologies will be selected to receive 250 million won in technology commercialization funds and support product verification in cooperation with large companies that have verification infrastructure for semiconductor mass production and commercialization.

The announcement stated that applications will be accepted until the 27th, and that startups with excellent performance will be given additional support to enter the global market through linking with ultra-gap startup businesses through performance evaluations.

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups plans to hold the 'Fabless-Foundry Symbiosis Council' in the first quarter, with the participation of experts from the fabless industry, domestic foundries, etc., and discuss the 2025 Fabless Challenge promotion plan and support policies.

Minister Oh Young-joo said, “In order to vitalize 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 pursue relevant policies so that promising fabless startups can gradually grow through this project, strengthen their competitiveness, and play a key role in the global market.”