South Korean AI chip startup Rebellions has received fresh backing from Samsung, further strengthening its efforts to raise between $150 million and $200 million in a new funding round, with ambitions of a future initial public offering (IPO). This move signals Samsung’s growing interest in supporting local semiconductor innovators as global demand for artificial intelligence processing power intensifies.

Founded in 2020, Rebellions has quickly emerged as a serious contender in the AI chip landscape, especially in the AI inference market. The startup’s Chief Financial Officer, Sungkyue Shin, told CNBC that Samsung’s investment is part of its latest funding efforts, which aim to push the company’s valuation beyond $1 billion.

Though the exact amount Samsung invested remains undisclosed, the financial injection aligns with Samsung’s broader strategy to expand its foundry business and compete against major players like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC).

Rebellions’ Rebel-Quad Chip: A Bold Challenge to Nvidia

Rebellions is currently developing its second-generation product, Rebel-Quad—a powerful chip composed of four Rebel AI units. These chips, designed for AI inferencing rather than training, aim to provide real-time data analysis, the kind used by advanced AI chatbots and automation tools.

The Rebel-Quad is being manufactured in collaboration with Samsung Foundry using 4-nanometer (nm) process technology—matching the node used for Nvidia’s latest Blackwell chips. Rebellions will also utilize Samsung’s HBM3e memory, enabling efficient handling of massive data loads.

“Initial test results are highly promising,” said CEO Sunghyun Park, adding that Samsung’s decision to invest was influenced by the chip’s strong performance during early testing phases.

IPO on the Horizon and a Growing Investor Base

Rebellions merged last year with another AI chip startup, Sapeon, bolstering its technical capabilities and market positioning. With major investors like SK Hynix, SK Telecom, KT (Korea Telecom), and Saudi Aramco, Rebellions is preparing for a global push against industry titans like Nvidia and AMD.

“The ultimate goal is to go public,” CFO Shin stated. He added that Rebellions is currently engaging with both domestic and international investors to complete this funding round.

The company has raised $220 million to date and continues to build strategic partnerships to fuel expansion, product development, and eventual mass production of its chips.

Why This Matters for Samsung and the Global AI Chip Market

This collaboration offers mutual benefits. For Samsung, Rebellions presents a potential long-term client that could strengthen its position in the global semiconductor foundry market, where it still lags behind TSMC.

Samsung Electronics recently inked a $16.5 billion semiconductor deal with Tesla, signaling its aggressive ambitions in chip manufacturing. A successful commercial rollout of Rebellions’ AI chips could further legitimize Samsung’s foundry business and challenge the dominance of established players.

Conclusion: A Pivotal Moment for Korea’s AI Chip Ecosystem

As AI becomes increasingly central to modern computing, Rebellions’ rise reflects South Korea’s determination to build a self-sustaining semiconductor ecosystem. With Samsung’s support, the Rebel-Quad chip may soon carve out a space in the AI inferencing market, offering a compelling alternative to solutions from Nvidia and others.