SK Hynix to Offer Up to 50% R&D Cost Advance to Partners
SK Hynix announced an expanded partner support plan, including an R&D challenge reward system that provides up to 50% advance payment for initial development costs.
SK Hynix has introduced a new initiative to bolster its partner support, offering advances of up to 50% on initial research and development costs. This program aims to provide significant financial backing to collaborators in the technology sector.
The company stated that payments will be made based on technological outcomes and contributions, regardless of whether a partner's project successfully develops the required technology or leads to a final purchase agreement. This policy addresses potential risks for partners undertaking development work.
SK Hynix has structured its support around four key stages of the partnership lifecycle: technology development, testing and validation, mass production, and sales. During the technology development phase, selected promising partners will receive incubation support, including intellectual property and sample provision.
Further enhancing this support, SK Hynix is constructing a "Trinity Fab" process validation facility at its Yongin semiconductor cluster, scheduled to open in 2027. This facility will allow partners to test their technologies in a production-level environment before mass deployment.
Additionally, the company is doubling its supplier payment fund from 50 billion won to 100 billion won (approximately 496 million euros) to improve cash flow within its supply chain.