Government Offers Global Semiconductor Design Assets at Special Prices to Domestic Fabless Companies

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Haeyoung] A special program to alleviate the burden of utilizing semiconductor design assets (IP) for domestic semiconductor design specialized companies (fabless) will be launched.

On the 16th, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy held a launch ceremony for the 'Semiconductor IP Utilization Support Program' at the Gyeonggi-do Pangyo System Semiconductor Design Support Center with domestic and foreign semiconductor IP companies, design houses, fabless, foundries, and others. Semiconductor IP is a generic circuit block that implements specific functions as circuits for repeated use.

The Semiconductor IP Utilization Support Program, prepared through cooperation between domestic and foreign semiconductor IP companies and the Design Support Center, consists of ▲ global semiconductor IP special price support ▲ semiconductor IP utilization platform construction ▲ domestic semiconductor IP utilization support.

First, Synopsys will provide semiconductor IP to domestic fabless companies at a discounted price through the Design Support Center, and the Design Support Center will additionally support 10% of the original price. Domestic fabless companies will be able to use Synopsys' semiconductor IP at a significantly discounted price compared to the list price.

Also, domestic design houses affiliated with ARM will provide free consulting on the optimal utilization methods of ARM semiconductor IP to domestic fabless companies through an online platform. Through this, domestic fabless companies, mainly small and medium-sized enterprises and startups, are expected to shorten chip development periods and increase the likelihood of development success.

In addition to global companies, the System Semiconductor Design Support Center operates a special support program that offers fabless companies up to a 50% discount on domestic semiconductor IP costs. During the pilot project period this year, support will be provided up to 50 million KRW, and the support limit is expected to be raised when the main project is promoted next year.

Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Sung Yun-mo also held a meeting with the system semiconductor industry on the same day. Industry officials proposed ▲ training of specialized personnel ▲ support for semiconductor IP commercialization ▲ cooperation and solidarity measures among the system semiconductor value chain ▲ support for new private investments.

Minister Sung stated, "To leap forward as a comprehensive semiconductor powerhouse, we must expand foundry investments where we have strengths and strengthen design competitiveness in next-generation new markets such as artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductors and power semiconductors." He added, "The government will provide maximum support so that our companies can respond to semiconductor excess demand and lead the market," and urged, "The private sector should also actively promote new investments and cooperation among companies based on a long-term perspective to prepare for the future."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.