The Ministry of SMEs and Startups held the first SME Future Forum.
The Paradox: The Need for Packaged Support from R&D to Commercialization
We need to create semiconductors for AI, not just AI semiconductors.

A discussion was held to develop specific plans to foster the system semiconductor industry.

On the 22nd, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups held the '1st Small and Medium Venture Enterprise Future Forum' on the topic of 'Opportunities and Fostering Plans for Small and Medium Venture Enterprises in the System Semiconductor Field' in the conference room on the 10th floor of the Seoul Post Tower.

This forum was attended by Park Jae-geun, President of the Semiconductor Display Society, Kim Su-hwan, Professor at Seoul National University, as well as small and medium-sized fabless companies (Canvas Bio, MDataSync, Cubermotive), a semiconductor specialized VC (L&S Capital), a semiconductor equipment company (Juseong ENG), and university students.

Discussions were held on the system semiconductor technology environment and market outlook, the realistic challenges faced by small and medium-sized fabless companies, ways to stimulate venture investment, and desirable corporate relationships.

Park Jae-geun, president of the Semiconductor Display Society, said that when the 4th industrial revolution, represented by autonomous vehicles, AI, and IoT, begins in earnest, it will be an opportunity for domestic fabless companies with extensive experience in DDIC (Display Driver IC) and CIS (CMOS Image Sensor), and that it is a task in which demand companies participate from the planning stage.He requested the need for government support that can provide a package that includes R&D and commercialization support by discovering new technologies.

Professor Kim Soo-hwan of Seoul National University suggested that a support strategy suited to Korea's circumstances is necessary, and that for the Fourth Industrial Revolution to become an opportunity for fabless companies, government support should be focused on "semiconductors for AI," rather than "AI semiconductors."

Fabless companies complained that the industry is in a poor state due to the lack of market demand and that government support has not been tailored to the reality of fabless companies. They hoped for more substantial government support to break the vicious cycle of shrinking markets, struggling companies' finances, and making it difficult to develop new technologies.

Kim Ji-hye, a senior auditor at L&S Venture Capital, said that system semiconductors are not simply about manufacturing chips, and that it is essential to integrate software with the knowledge and know-how of the set part and to cooperate with large companies from the development stage. She also said that M&A activation is necessary to ensure business stability and sustainable growth.

Choi Min-gu, Vice President of Juseong ENG, proposed institutional improvements to ensure shared growth between large and small businesses, secure business opportunities for small and medium-sized fabless companies, prevent technology theft, and establish a financial support system to promote startups in the fabless sector.

Minister of SMEs and Startups Park Young-sun said, “If we discover and provide intensive support to small and medium-sized fabless companies with growth potential, we can secure the already recognized semiconductor technology and support the future generations of companies and companies.” “With passion, our country’s system semiconductor industry will take a leap forward,” he said.

Meanwhile, forums on AI, biohealth, and future vehicles are also scheduled to be held within the year.