MTDC Aims To Identify 10 Best Semiconductor Companies For SemiconStart Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC) aims to find the 10 best semiconductor companies to participate in the first year of the SemiconStart Malaysia programme, said its group chief executive officer Mohammad Hazani Hassan. 

He said MTDC is unable to onboard a large number of companies at this stage as the initiative is currently being run as a pilot programme.

“However, we target three to five companies out of 10 to move ahead, get the funding, get customers, involved in the networks.

“We hope, at the end of the day, we have a product-focused Malaysian company with local technology and talent, working with international companies.

”We're looking for this company as a product company, we're not looking for any services company,” he said during the question and answer at the SemiconStart Malaysia pre-launch ceremony held at the World Trade Centre (WTC) here today.

He said the product-focused companies are expected to contribute meaningfully to and strengthen the broader semiconductor ecosystem.

Mohammad Hazani explained that MTDC is selecting companies ranging from technology readiness level (TRL) 4 to TRL 9, with the aim that after a year, these companies will have a market-ready product to present to customers, partners and investors.

Earlier, the pre-launch of Semiconstart Malaysia was officiated by Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Datuk Mohammad Yusof Apdal.

The programme is implemented by MTDC in collaboration with Silicon Catalyst UK through a 260-day incubation track, providing participating companies with access to grants of up to RM1 million per company, advanced design tools, industry mentorship and global investor networks.

Apart from funding, companies will undergo rigorous technical and commercial assessments coordinated by Silicon Catalyst’s United Kingdom and United States teams.

Focus areas include integrated circuit design, sensor technologies, photonics, micro-electro-mechanical systems, quantum technologies, and advanced semiconductor materials, all of which have been identified as strategic, high-value segments under the National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS).

During the Budget 2026 announcement, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Khazanah Nasional Bhd and the Retirement Fund (Incorporated) (KWAP) will invest RM550 million in the semiconductor ecosystem to boost partnerships between local firms and multinational companies.

Under NSS, Malaysia's development bank Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Bhd will provide RM500 million in loans to support high-value-added activities such as research and development, particularly by local companies that support the electrical and electronics ecosystem.

— BERNAMA