Samsung Invests in South Korean AI Chip Startup Rebellions Ahead of IPO

South Korean AI chip startup Rebellions is rapidly advancing in the global AI semiconductor market with strong backing from major investors, including Samsung, SK Hynix, SK Telecom, and Saudi Aramco. The company, formed after a merger with Sapeon Korea, is targeting a funding round of $150–$200 million which, combined with previous investments, will push its valuation beyond $1 billion. Rebellions is developing its Rebel-Quad second-generation AI inferencing chip using Samsung's 4nm process and HBM3e memory, aiming to compete with established players like Nvidia. The South Korean government's $450 billion K-Semiconductor Strategy supports startups like Rebellions with financial incentives and infrastructure, aiming to establish the country as a global hub for semiconductor innovation. The company plans to pursue an IPO on a South Korean exchange with Samsung Securities expected to lead, signaling its ambitions to expand internationally into markets such as the US, Saudi Arabia, and Japan. This convergence of government policy, strategic partnerships, and technological development positions Rebellions as a significant contender in the AI hardware arena.