Rapidus Partners With 17 Firms to Secure Chip Clients
Rapidus announced partnerships with 17 companies to attract customers ahead of its planned 2-nanometre semiconductor production launch next fiscal year.
Rapidus, Japan's state-backed semiconductor venture, has partnered with 17 companies, including Synopsys and Infosys, to help customers design chips. The initiative seeks to establish a client base before the company begins 2-nanometre contract chip production in the second half of the next fiscal year.
Backed by $15 billion in state funding, the project is a central part of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's strategy to rebuild Japan's semiconductor industry and improve supply chain resilience. Rapidus is currently conducting pilot operations with IBM and targets an initial public offering by the financial year ending March 2032.
CEO Atsuyoshi Koike expressed confidence in market demand, though the company faces intense competition from established industry leaders such as TSMC, Samsung Electronics, and Intel, alongside significant technological hurdles.
