Reinforcing international technological cooperation in advanced semiconductor fields between Korea and the U.S.
Washington, D.C., April 28, 2023 – BRIDG, a not-for-profit, public-private partnership based at NeoCity in Osceola County, Florida specializing in advanced system integration and packaging, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT) on April 27, 2023 in Washington, D.C.
The MOU ceremony took place during the official state visit of the Republic of Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol.
As Korea and the U.S. strive to strengthen semiconductor technology capabilities and collaboration between the two countries, this MOU ceremony was attended by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, Minister of Technology, Industry, and Energy Lee Chang Yang, Osceola County Commissioner Peggy Sandoval Choudhry, BRIDG President James Vandevere, and KIAT President Byung Joo Min.
Through this MOU, KIAT plans to expand semiconductor technology capabilities and provide funding for Korean midsize enterprises to enter the U.S. market.
As an awardee of the U.S. Economic Development Administration Build Back Better Regional Challenge, Osceola County, Florida plays a key role in restoring and expanding semiconductor manufacturing capabilities.
BRIDG’s MOU with KIAT will accelerate technological innovations and support efforts for a comprehensive strategic technology-based alliance between the countries, which will also strengthen the domestic supply chain base centered on advanced packaging.
KIAT expects to see a significant boost in joint R&D activity. Moreover, this MOU provides access to BRIDG’s network of leading-edge partners and advanced tool capabilities which opens doors for Korean semiconductor companies to expand into NeoCity.
“I think it is significant that an opportunity has been created for Korean companies to enter the state of Florida, which has made full-scale investment to expand the semiconductor ecosystem,” stated James Vandevere.
“This agreement will serve as an important step in strengthening strategic technological cooperation in the semiconductor field between the two countries,” stated KIAT President Byung Joo Min.
For the Korean version of the release, please visit https://lnkd.in/eD2MvDAd.
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. www.NeoCityFL.com
About Osceola County
Osceola County is the third fastest growing county in the nation. We anticipate the future before it happens, forever pioneers when it comes to planning communities and economies that work. We are a diverse community of lifelong residents and recent transplants, third-generation immigrants and new arrivals – all who flourish here because Osceola County brings you closer to what’s most important. Residents have the opportunity to lead a full life alongside people who share your aspirations for the future. We excel at turning the most ambitious ideas into reality. People here aren’t just hardworking. They are innovative, visionary, and entrepreneurial; they are the free-flowing energy that powers every industry in Central Florida. Our legacy is leading Central Florida by example – you can always count on Osceola to put you in the right place at the right time, so you can be first to what’s next. www.osceola.org
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]