In a daring transfer that underscores Korea’s rising deep-tech maturity, FuriosaAI has declined acquisition gives from world Huge Tech gamers to pursue an impartial path towards a 2027 IPO. As the corporate prepares a USD 500 million (roughly KRW 740 billion) pre-IPO spherical, it goals to safe its place as a globally aggressive AI semiconductor developer, shaping Korea’s place within the subsequent section of the AI {hardware} race.
FuriosaAI Launches ₩700 Billion Pre-IPO Funding with Mirae Asset and Morgan Stanley
FuriosaAI, a number one AI semiconductor fabless startup, is making ready a pre-IPO funding spherical price as much as USD 500 million (roughly KRW 740 billion), in accordance with a number of funding banking sources.
The spherical comes eight months after its Collection C bridge funding, which raised roughly KRW 170 billion, and is being led by Mirae Asset Securities and Morgan Stanley, signaling FuriosaAI’s intent to draw each home and worldwide buyers.
Trade officers estimate the corporate’s valuation at round KRW 3 trillion (USD 2.3 billion) — probably surpassing that of native rival Rebellions, valued at KRW 1.9 trillion in 2025.
The funds will primarily help mass manufacturing of FuriosaAI’s second-generation NPU, RNGD (Renegade), and the improvement of its third-generation AI chip platform.
Background: Korea’s Fabless Frontier and the Renegade Breakthrough
FuriosaAI develops neural processing models (NPUs) designed for AI inference acceleration, providing considerably greater power effectivity than GPUs. The corporate’s flagship chip, Renegade (RNGD), has been adopted by LG AI Analysis Institute and optimized for LG’s EXAONE in addition to OpenAI’s GPT-OSS.
This efficiency success, mixed with upcoming mass manufacturing via TSMC, has strengthened investor confidence. FuriosaAI expects to ship 20,000 NPUs to world purchasers in 2026, marking its first large-scale income cycle.
The corporate plans to leverage this manufacturing milestone to broaden into world knowledge heart and AI infrastructure markets, competing with established gamers equivalent to Nvidia.
Stakeholder Statements: Timing, Scale, and Independence
A FuriosaAI spokesperson defined that the timing of the funding is crucial, citing the necessity to synchronize large-scale manufacturing with the event of next-generation merchandise, saying:
“Mass manufacturing and new product improvement each depend on exact timing. We’re centered on capturing that second to speed up our world growth.”
On the query of strategic buyers, the corporate confirmed that it’s open to each monetary (FI) and strategic (SI) partnerships:
“Most of our present buyers are monetary, however we’re actively participating with strategic buyers from the U.S., Asia, and the Center East. International capital participation is crucial to our subsequent section of development.”
Whereas Nasdaq itemizing rumors persist, the corporate maintains a cautious stance.
“We received’t rush into an IPO for numbers’ sake. Our strategy is to show worth via know-how and income earlier than taking that step,” the consultant acknowledged.
Ecosystem Significance: A Defining Second for Korea’s Deep-Tech Independence
FuriosaAI’s determination to reject Meta’s reported $800 million acquisition proposal and pursue an impartial IPO alerts a turning level for Korea’s semiconductor and AI sectors.
By selecting technological sovereignty over Huge Tech integration, the corporate positions itself as a uncommon instance of Korean deep-tech autonomy, emphasizing innovation management moderately than exit-driven development.
The transfer displays Korea’s broader push towards self-sufficient semiconductor ecosystems, aligning with nationwide methods that promote AI chip independence and private-sector-driven R&D.
Within the context of worldwide AI {hardware} competitors, FuriosaAI’s Renegade and upcoming third-generation NPUs strengthen Korea’s declare as an rising AI semiconductor hub in Asia.
How Far Startups Can Go With out Huge Tech’s Shadow
FuriosaAI’s path embodies Korea’s deep-tech evolution — one outlined not by acquisition however by long-term functionality constructing. Its 2026 pre-IPO spherical, backed by main home and worldwide buyers, will check how far impartial AI chip startups can go with out the shadow of Huge Tech.
As mass manufacturing begins and new world partnerships kind, FuriosaAI’s trajectory might redefine how Korean startups scale innovation whereas preserving possession of their know-how.
Key Takeaways on FuriosaAI Pre-IPO Milestone
- Firm: FuriosaAI
- Sector: AI semiconductor (fabless)
- Funding: ₩700 billion ($500 million) pre-IPO spherical
- Lead Managers: Morgan Stanley (world), Mirae Asset Securities (home)
- Valuation: Roughly ₩3 trillion
- Product: Renegade NPU, optimized for LG EXAONE and OpenAI GPT-OSS
- Manufacturing Companion: TSMC (first batch by finish of January 2026)
- Key Occasion: Rejected Meta’s $800M acquisition proposal in 2025
- IPO Goal: 2027 (market undecided, Nasdaq potential)
- Strategic Context: Strengthens Korea’s deep-tech independence and AI semiconductor ecosystem
- International Relevance: Alerts Asia’s rising position within the AI chip provide chain past Nvidia
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