Collaboration with KIAT to help expand advanced package capabilities
Kissimmee, Fla., January 11, 2023 – BRIDG, a not-for-profit, public-private partnership based at NeoCity in Osceola County, Florida specializing in advanced system integration and packaging, was recently in Washington, DC to participate in the Korea-U.S. Industrial Technology Cooperation Forum. Hosted by Korea Institute of Advancement of Technology (KIAT), the forum was held to foster cooperation in future technologies focused on a broad spectrum of industries from smart cars to manufacturing.
As international communities face global uncertainty resulting from the pandemic, supply chain disruptions, and drastic shifts in the economic paradigm, the Korea-U.S. Industrial Technology Cooperation Forum was organized to bring together governments, academia, industries, and institutes to explore opportunities for cooperation in semiconductor technologies and applications, ICT and future mobility, smart manufacturing, and biomedical sectors.
“The first Korea-US Industrial Technology Cooperation Forum is deeply meaningful to strengthen the strategic partnership for technical cooperation between Korea and the United States,” said Cheon Kyo Park, executive director of KIAT. “Participants from industry, academia, research institutes, and governments of the two countries discussed innovation, shared visions for the future, and explored potential technological cooperation in the fields of emerging industries, including semiconductors. I can assure you that going through KIAT is the easiest and fastest way to build R&D partnership with Korea.”
Earlier this year, U.S. President Joseph R. Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol emphasized the importance of the relationship between the U.S. and Republic of Korea and pledged to develop, use, and advance technologies in line with shared democratic principles and universal values. Recognizing that scientists, researchers, and engineers of both countries are among the most innovative in the world, the Presidents agreed on enhanced partnership to leverage comparative advantage that protects and promotes critical and emerging technologies in several areas, including leading-edge semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum technology, biotechnology, biomanufacturing, and autonomous robotics through promotion of investment and research and development cooperation.
“We recognize the importance to deepen and broaden cooperation on critical and emerging technologies between the U.S. and Republic of Korea in efforts to address 21st century challenges,” stated James Vandevere, president of BRIDG. “Relationships with partners such as KIAT and the participation in this technology forum are key to catalyzing the groundbreaking work of current and future industry partners and strengthens BRIDG’s role as a vital hub coordinator enabling advanced packaging innovation for the semiconductor industry in the U.S.”
Recently, Osceola County, Florida was recognized as a federal award recipient from the U.S. Economic Development Administration as part of the Build Back Better Regional Challenge. As the region leverages federal investments such as Build Back Better to reshore and expand semiconductor manufacturing capabilities at NeoCity (a 500-acre master planned technology district), BRIDG’s collaboration with KIAT helps accelerate technological innovations and support efforts for a comprehensive strategic economic and technology-based alliance between the countries that also strengthen the domestic supply chain base centered on advanced packaging.
“Not only is this the first major federal semiconductor investment in the United States, but the site they selected for this historical investment was right here in NeoCity. This is a significant validation of Osceola County’s grand vision to create high-wage, hi-tech jobs at NeoCity,” said Osceola County Commission Chairman Brandon Arrington.
“As we carve out a unique place in our region’s innovation ecosystem, we will leverage the federal government’s support to make NeoCity a regional hub for semiconductor research, design, and manufacturing,” said Osceola County Manager Don Fisher.
# # #
About BRIDG
BRIDG is a not-for-profit, public-private partnership specializing in digital, RF, and photonics interposer technology development coupled with advanced packaging capabilities. As an ITAR-certified and DMEA trust-ready supplier, BRIDG offers R&D expertise and a 200mm microelectronics fabrication facility geared toward system miniaturization, device integration, hardware security, and product manufacturing key to aerospace, defense, automotive, telecommunications, medical, and the IoT/AI revolution. Supported by Osceola County, Florida High Tech Corridor Council, imec, Orlando Economic Partnership, TEL, SUSS, Siemens, and SkyWater Technology (Center for NeoVation operator), BRIDG provides the physical infrastructure and collaborative process to connect challenges and opportunities with solutions; “Bridging the Innovation Development Gap” making commercialization possible. Located at NeoCity BRIDG is centrally located 20 minutes from Orlando International Airport and within a mile of Florida’s Turnpike. GoBRIDG.com
About NeoCity
Following the impacts of the Great Recession, Osceola County decided to make a long-term investment to create a 500-acre technology district, known as NeoCity to diversify its economy. Since then, Osceola County, and their regional partners, have invested over $273 million to make NeoCity the hub to Central Florida’s burgeoning semiconductor industry. NeoCity’s anchor building, the Center for Neovation, (total of 109,000 sq. ft) consisting of a 36,000 square ft. cleanroom, is one of the most technologically advanced manufacturing research centers in the western hemisphere, home to SkyWater Technology, imec USA, BRIDG, TEL, and SUSS MicroTech. The Osceola County School District’s NeoCity Academy, located next to the Center for Neovation, works with SkyWater, BRIDG, and imec USA to provide internships for the high school students to work in the fab.
About KIAT
KIAT, Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology, is a quasi government-public institute under the Ministry of Trade Industry and Energy, MOTIE. KIAT is a comprehensive technology R&D support organization for promotion of industrial technology innovation and policy development focusing on the areas of industrial technologies. In addition to supporting R&D activities, we also promote innovation in companies by creating diverse foundations in fields like technology commercialization, research equipment construction, regulatory innovation, international technology cooperation, and professional training. For global cooperation, KIAT has been built R&D partnership with 14 major countries for strategic development of core technologies and supported multilateral international joint R&D with 44 European members with EUREKA
For further information:
Gloria LeQuang, BRIDG, [email protected]
Jessica J. Kim, JD, NeoCityLinks, [email protected]
Eunjung Kim, Chief Representative, Korea Institute of Advancement of Technology US office, [email protected]