Rimal Semiconductors is positioning itself as a “geopolitical hedge” for the global semiconductor supply chain after securing a bridge round from Keheilan Asset Management and an undisclosed regional investor, CEO Houssam Salem tells EnterpriseAM. The funding amount was not disclosed

The “two camps” problem: Global semiconductor manufacturing is currently split between the US and China, forcing companies to align with one side, and often face restrictions or refusal when trying to supply the other.

Rimal’s fabless model — designing chips but outsourcing the manufacturing — allows it to maintain contracts across Taiwan, Korea, and China, and it is currently in talks with US foundries to complete the circle, Salem tells us.

Why it matters

By keeping the IP Saudi-owned but diversifying the manufacturing footprint, Rimal can supply the same design files to any market. “If the design is Saudi, and the manufacturing is happening in China, the US, or Taiwan, you can supply the whole world,” Salem says.

Rimal is already inking a distribution agreement with a major distributor to export its designs. The distributor operates offices in Turkey, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, and the UAE, supported by local technical engineers who can provide on-the-ground support in each market.

Don't expect a multi-bn-USD Saudi foundry (the actual factory) just yet. Salem argues that building a foundry now — a massive state-level investment — would fail without a local ecosystem to drive demand. The priority is to build “fabless” design firms first, followed by assembly and testing (OSAT), and finally the foundry.

Rimal has six live contracts in the pipeline — including one with a major Egyptian corporation. Contracts are being finalized with clients in the defense, power grid, and data center sectors, Salem told us.

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