Promising Korean semiconductor startups have established a foothold in Portland, Oregon—known as 'Silicon Forest'—laying the groundwork for collaboration with global enterprises and local market expansion.
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Promising Korean semiconductor startups have established a foothold in Portland, Oregon—known as 'Silicon Forest'—laying the groundwork for collaboration with global enterprises and local market expansion.
Gyeonggi Innovation Center announced on the 30th that it successfully concluded the '2026 Portland, USA Expansion Program' for eight promising semiconductor startups nurtured by the national network of Creative Economy Innovation Centers.
The most notable achievement of this program was driving direct collaboration with global corporations. Following a schedule held locally from May 11 to 15, six of the eight participating companies achieved the feat of signing Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) with Intel Foundry.
Alongside this, companies have moved forward with pursuing NDAs and Proof of Concept (PoC) with global semiconductor equipment leader Lam Research, discussed PoC projects with Tokyo Electron, and laid the foundation for local commercialization through investment discussions with the US asset management firm Wellington.
The eight startups leading these achievements are promising players possessing unrivaled technological prowess across various fields, from AI solutions that maximize semiconductor manufacturing efficiency to core new materials.
In the fields of process automation and intelligence, SemiAI presented its 'Semiconductor Manufacturing Intelligence Software Platform,' while Amously showcased its 'Semiconductor Manufacturing Fully Automated AI Agent.' SolverX also presented its 'AI-based Engineering Solution' to assist in the optimal design of components for next-generation electric vehicles (xEV).
Companies in the core equipment and packaging technology sectors also participated in this program. VSL presented 'Semiconductor Vacuum Systems' essential for precision processes, and KOPA explored collaboration possibilities with global partners by highlighting its 'Flip-chip Bonding HBM (High Bandwidth Memory) Packaging' technology, a major topic in the semiconductor industry.
Startups in the next-generation materials and coating technology sectors also challenged themselves to expand locally. Cuprum Materials presented 'Platinum-based and Copper Plating Solutions for Semiconductor Glass TGV (Through Glass Via),' and GenoLab entered the market with its 'Nanoceramic Surface Coating Solution for Semiconductors and EV Batteries.' Additionally, Korea Nano Ot captured the attention of local investors and buyers with its 'Industrial Materials based on Underwater Plasma Synthesis Technology.'
Gyeonggi Innovation Center supported the startups closely for four months starting in February, partnering with key local organizations such as Greater Portland Inc. (GPI), the official economic development agency of Oregon, Business Oregon, and the semiconductor industry alliance SFP. Prior to the local itinerary, a two-month online bootcamp was held to refine expansion strategies for each company, while the local program focused on 1-on-1 business meetings with global corporations, expert consulting, and connecting with investor networks.
"It is meaningful that Korean semiconductor startups have taken their first practical steps toward collaboration with global leading companies in the US," said Won-kyung Kim, CEO of Gyeonggi Innovation Center. "We focused on our role as a supporter to ensure these efforts lead to actual commercialization through collaboration with local specialized institutions."
Meanwhile, Gyeonggi Innovation Center is operating expansion support programs that are being advanced by cohort, tailored to local regional characteristics. Following the semiconductor cohort in the first half of the year, the center plans to support the expansion of climate-tech startups into Portland in the second half.
[Money Today Startup Media Platform Unicorn Factory] https://www.mt.co.kr/future/2026/06/30/2026063016003566113
