You are currently viewing SemiWiki as a guest which gives you limited access to the site. To view blog comments and experience other SemiWiki features you must be a registered member. Registration is fast, simple, and absolutely free so please, join our community today!
Rapidus aims to position itself as a prominent worldwide supplier of cutting-edge 2-nanometer-wide semiconductors.
www.japantimes.co.jp
"Japan’s attempt to once again become a major player in the international semiconductor industry took another step forward in Hokkaido on Friday with a groundbreaking ceremony for a factory to be occupied by Rapidus, a government-backed firm that will produce state-of-the-art chips for next-generation industries. Rapidus aims to position itself as a prominent worldwide supplier of cutting-edge 2-nanometer-wide semiconductors for 5G communications, quantum computing, self-driving vehicles and digital smart cities."
It's estimated that US$35 to $37 billion subsidies/capital is needed for Rapidus to make this project into the real world.
Is it a national research project or a commercial for profit venture?
Just the depreciation alone can cost Rapidus $6 to $8 billion a year if we use a five years depreciation schedule.
If Rapidus and Japanese government are willing to take the potential huge loss to help leading edge fabless companies then there is another problem. None of the top 10 fabless semiconductor companies is a Japanese company. Especially in the commercial leading edge chips industry, they are either the American company or Taiwanese companies.
Why is Rapidus taking Japanese taxpayers' money to subsidize non Japanese fabless companies and possibly incurring huge loss year after year?
100% agree. There is a lot of work and learning to do after this "We want to be a foundry, we got money, and we are partnering with IBM" phase.
I don't think Apple is saying "lets hold off on this TSMC negotiation... maybe Rapidus is the solution"....
It's estimated that US$35 to $37 billion subsidies/capital is needed for Rapidus to make this project into the real world.
Is it a national research project or a commercial for profit venture?
Just the depreciation alone can cost Rapidus $6 to $8 billion a year if we use a five years depreciation schedule.
If Rapidus and Japanese government are willing to take the potential huge loss to help leading edge fabless companies then there is another problem. None of the top 10 fabless semiconductor companies is a Japanese company. Especially in the commercial leading edge chips industry, they are either the American company or Taiwanese companies.
Why is Rapidus taking Japanese taxpayers' money to subsidize non Japanese fabless companies and possibly incurring huge loss year after year?
Rapidus was founded with 8 big companies' support, including Toyota, SONY, Kioxia. However, these 8 companies are not stupid. They only gave 7.3 billion yen (about US$ 55 millions) in total which is not even enough for a EUV. Their investment are just symbolic.
So now Japanese' government pay all the rest of bills. The CEO of Rapidus mentioned to use IPO to raise money, but I don't know how to convince people to invest this money hole.
Rapidus was founded with 8 big companies' support, including Toyota, SONY, Kioxia. However, these 8 companies are not stupid. They only gave 7.3 billion yen (about US$ 550 millions) in total which is not even enough for a EUV. Their investment are just symbolic.
So now Japanese' government pay all the rest of bills. The CEO of Rapidus mentioned to use IPO to raise money, but I don't know how to convince people to invest this money hole.
Easy, say AI a few times, foundry TAM, IBM technology, and not have the negative name brand that intel and Samsung carry. Softbank will throw billions at you, and if it was in 2021 Wallstreet would have too . In all seriousness though it will be tough. But if they are doing just the one fab with maybe 1-2 phases at the beginning, I guess it isn't too monumental an investment hurdle. I also wouldn't be shocked if the 8 founders pump more money as it is needed and or more likely as progress is made.
www.japantimes.co.jp
. In all seriousness though it will be tough. But if they are doing just the one fab with maybe 1-2 phases at the beginning, I guess it isn't too monumental an investment hurdle. I also wouldn't be shocked if the 8 founders pump more money as it is needed and or more likely as progress is made.