Malaysian Technology Development Corporation Sdn. Bhd. (MTDC) has on Wednesday officially launched SemiconStart Malaysia, a national semiconductor incubation program designed to support the growth of high-potential Malaysian and Malaysia-based semiconductor ventures in higher-value segments of the global semiconductor value chain.
SemiconStart Malaysia was identified under Budget 2026 as a strategic initiative to support semiconductor startups through mentorship, access to global funding and investment networks, semiconductor tools, prototyping opportunities and commercialization support, MTDC said in a statement.
Led by MTDC in collaboration with Silicon Catalyst UK, SemiconStart Malaysia is the nation’s first dedicated semiconductor venture-building program focused on helping
early-stage semiconductor companies overcome the industry’s unique challenges, including high prototyping costs, lengthy development cycles, complex technical validation requirements and barriers to commercialization.
The program is designed as a “design-to-fab-to-market” bridge, connecting founders with specialist mentors, technical experts, investors, design, test & fabrication partners and commercialization pathways.
The program supports companies operating in high-value areas such as integrated circuit (IC) design, advanced materials, photonics and optics, MEMS and sensors, advanced packaging, semiconductor automation and emerging quantum-related technologies.
Unlike conventional startup incubators, SemiconStart Malaysia combines specialized semiconductor mentorship, technical validation, commercial assessment, funding support and access to a global network of semiconductor experts, investors, fabrication partners and industry players.
Through the program, selected companies may receive incubation support of up to MYR 1 million ($240,000) per company alongside a structured 260-day development pathway.
Speaking at the launch, Amir Hamzah Azizan said Malaysia’s semiconductor industry has reached a point where participation in global supply chains must be complemented by greater value creation through innovation, intellectual property, advanced technologies and specialized capabilities.
“Today marks an important transition from strategy to implementation,
“SemiconStart Malaysia represents a collective effort to strengthen pathways for innovation, commercialization and technology development while supporting Malaysia’s ambition to create more homegrown technologies, generate greater intellectual property and build globally competitive semiconductor companies,” he said.
He added the true measure of success lies not in the strategies announced, but in the capabilities built, technologies commercialized, investments attracted and opportunities created for future generations of Malaysians.
SemiconStart Malaysia also supports Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI)’s broader ambition of positioning Malaysia as a high-technology nation by 2030,
in line with the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy 2021-2030, the 10- 10 MySTIE Framework and the National Semiconductor Strategy.
This initiative helps create stronger linkages between technological capability, entrepreneurial ambition and market opportunity, while supporting the development of future technologies and industries.
Global semiconductor sales reached approximately $791.7 billion in 2025 and are expected to continue growing as demand accelerates across artificial intelligence, advanced computing, automotive technologies, telecommunications and industrial applications.
As the industry moves towards the $1 trillion milestone, SemiconStart Malaysia aims to position Malaysian companies to capture greater value through innovation, intellectual property creation and technology commercialization.
MTDC Chairman, Tan Sri Abd. Rahman Mamat, said SemiconStart Malaysia was developed with a clear objective of supporting the growth of Malaysian semiconductor ventures while strengthening the country’s pipeline of technology companies capable of competing in one of the world’s most demanding industries.
He said semiconductor innovation requires more than funding, as companies also need specialized expertise, technical validation, industry networks and mentors who understand the realities of bringing semiconductor technologies to market.
He noted building a globally competitive semiconductor ecosystem requires sustained collaboration across government, industry, academia and the investment community, and that SemiconStart Malaysia reflects what can be achieved when these stakeholders align behind a shared ambition.
He added that the inaugural cohort reflects Malaysia’s growing capability to participate more meaningfully in semiconductor innovation and reinforces MTDC’s role as the bridge between talent, technology, industry and capital.
The launch also marked the introduction of the inaugural SemiconStart Malaysia cohort comprising ten Malaysian and Malaysia-based semiconductor ventures, namely SkyeChip Semi Sdn. Bhd., GreatAsic Technology Sdn. Bhd., FusionAP Sdn. Bhd., nanoSkunkWorkX Sdn. Bhd., Silicon X Sdn. Bhd., Aphelia Sdn. Bhd., Channel Microsystems Sdn. Bhd., FirstChip Sdn. Bhd., Kirana Semikonduktor Sdn. Bhd., and SMD Compound Sdn. Bhd.
The inaugural cohort reflects strategic areas identified under Malaysia’s semiconductor development agenda, including integrated circuit design, advanced materials, advanced packaging, radio-frequency technologies and photonic systems.
Participating companies will also be assessed on their commitment to value creation in Malaysia, including intellectual property development and the cultivation of local technical talent.
As the program owner and implementing agency, MTDC will oversee program delivery, ecosystem partnerships and stakeholder engagement, while Silicon Catalyst UK contributes its globally recognized semiconductor incubation framework and international
network of advisors, investors and industry partners.
It is noted that SemiconStart Malaysia supports the broader objectives of the National Semiconductor Strategy, including strengthening domestic innovation capabilities, increasing the creation of Malaysian-owned intellectual property, developing high-skilled talent and fostering the growth of future semiconductor champions capable of competing on the global stage.
It also complements MOSTI’s technology sovereignty agenda by supporting Malaysia’s ability to develop, own and commercialize strategic technologies that are critical to long term national competitiveness.
The launch marks an important milestone in Malaysia’s semiconductor journey, translating the aspirations of the National Semiconductor Strategy into tangible action while strengthening the nation’s ability to develop homegrown technologies, generate
intellectual property and build globally competitive semiconductor companies.
For MTDC, the program reinforces its catalytic role in connecting technology, capital, industry partners and market opportunities to help Malaysian deep-tech companies scale from innovation to commercial growth.