Samsung Foundry to Bring 2nm Prototype Access to South Korean Chip Designers
Samsung Electronics’ foundry business is preparing to expand its Multi-Project Wafer service to its upcoming 2nm process next year, a move that could give South Korea’s fabless semiconductor companies a more affordable path to testing advanced chip designs.
The Multi-Project Wafer service, often called MPW, allows multiple chip designs from different companies to be produced on a single wafer. Instead of paying for an entire wafer run, smaller chip developers can share production space, lowering the cost of prototyping and making advanced semiconductor development more accessible.
For fabless chip designers, this is a major advantage. Developing a new processor, AI accelerator, communication chip, or sensor on a cutting-edge node can be extremely expensive. By offering MPW access on its 2nm technology, Samsung Foundry can help startups and smaller design firms test their products on one of the most advanced manufacturing processes entering commercial production.
The 2nm process is expected to play an important role in the next generation of high-performance and energy-efficient chips. As demand grows for artificial intelligence hardware, mobile processors, automotive semiconductors, and data center solutions, chip designers are under pressure to deliver faster, smaller, and more power-efficient products. Access to 2nm prototype production could help South Korean companies compete more aggressively in these fast-growing markets.
Samsung’s plan also comes as South Korea continues to strengthen its domestic semiconductor ecosystem. The country is home to major memory chip leaders, but it is also working to expand its presence in logic chip design, foundry services, and fabless semiconductor development. Giving local chip designers access to advanced prototype manufacturing could support that broader national effort.
For Samsung Foundry, opening its 2nm MPW service may also help attract new customers at an early stage. Companies that test successful designs through MPW programs may later move to larger production orders. This makes prototype services an important gateway for building long-term foundry relationships.
The move could be especially useful for companies developing specialized chips. Unlike mass-market processors, custom chips for AI, networking, industrial systems, autonomous vehicles, and edge devices often begin with small production runs. MPW services allow these companies to validate performance, power efficiency, and manufacturing feasibility before committing to full-scale production.
By lowering the cost barrier, Samsung’s 2nm MPW program may encourage more innovation across South Korea’s chip design sector. Smaller firms that previously could not afford access to the most advanced nodes may now have a realistic way to experiment with leading-edge semiconductor technology.
The timing is also important. The global foundry market is becoming more competitive as chipmakers race to commercialize smaller process nodes. Advanced manufacturing technologies such as 3nm and 2nm are critical for companies seeking gains in performance and efficiency. Samsung’s decision to include 2nm in its MPW roadmap signals that it wants to make its next-generation process available not only to large customers, but also to emerging chip innovators.
If successful, the program could help create a stronger pipeline of South Korean semiconductor designs ready for commercial production. It may also support Samsung’s efforts to position its foundry division as a key partner for advanced chip development.
In practical terms, the biggest benefit for fabless companies is flexibility. They can test new ideas, refine chip layouts, and confirm real-world manufacturing results without the financial burden of a dedicated wafer run. That could shorten development cycles and reduce risk, two factors that matter greatly in the fast-moving semiconductor industry.
Samsung’s planned 2nm MPW service could therefore become more than just a technical offering. It may serve as a strategic tool for boosting South Korea’s chip design ambitions, helping local companies move from concept to prototype faster and more affordably. As demand for advanced semiconductors continues to rise, access to cutting-edge prototype production could become a key advantage for the next wave of chip innovators.
