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PENANG, 5 NOVEMBER 2025 – One of the Silicon Research & Incubation Space’s incubatees under the Penang Silicon Design @5km+ (PSD@5KM+) initiative, Silicon X Sdn. Bhd. (Silicon X) proudly announces a historic achievement for Penang and Malaysia’s semiconductor sector on its successful development and powering-on of its proprietary Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) chip. This breakthrough positions Silicon X as the first FPGA product company in Malaysia and Southeast Asia, further reinforcing Penang’s drive for “Made by Malaysia” chip and cementing its reputation as a leading global semiconductor hub.

Silicon X, an Integrated Circuit (IC) design and product firm, specialises in enabling intelligent systems, accelerating artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, supporting real-time data processing, and enhancing automation. As one of the five pioneering local IC design companies nurtured under the PSD@5KM+ initiative, Silicon X exemplifies Penang’s commitment to building a robust and competitive IC design ecosystem.

Founded in 2024 with the vision of building world-class semiconductors on Malaysian soil, Silicon X embodies the strength of local innovation and engineering excellence. From a determined team of engineers challenging global boundaries, the company has rapidly advanced to design, develop, and now validate Malaysia’s first home-grown FPGA.

Silicon X’s entry into the FPGA space stems from the growing global demand for reconfigurable, high-performance, and energy-efficient chips that can adapt to rapidly evolving applications. Unlike conventional processors, FPGAs offer unparalleled flexibility for industries that require real-time adaptability and low-latency performance. By building this capability locally, Silicon X aims to reduce reliance on imported technologies, close critical gaps in Malaysia’s semiconductor value chain, and provide a competitive edge for local and regional industries.

The global semiconductor industry is projected to surpass USD1 trillion by 2030, underscoring the strategic significance of chip-design, manufacturing and packaging ecosystems worldwide. Malaysia is now strategically positioned in the global supply chain for the industry, with Penang playing a critical role in upstreaming the nation’s standing, including contributing 60% of the nation’s electrical & electronics (E&E) exports. Silicon X’s development of Malaysia’s first home-grown FPGA positions the country to take a strategic role in this fast-growing market, while the PSD@5KM+ initiative continues to nurture local innovation and talent.

With high-performance, scalable, and energy-efficient hardware and software designed entirely in-house, Silicon X’s FPGA solutions are poised to accelerate digital transformation across key industries — including artificial intelligence, robotic, telecommunication, data center, healthcare, automotive, and industrial automation.

Backed by a leadership and engineering team with over 200 years of combined experience from leading multinational corporations, Silicon X demonstrates that world-class innovation can be realised locally.

Mr. Chow Kon Yeow, the Right Honourable Chief Minister of Penang, stated, “Penang is proud to host innovators such as Silicon X, who are realising our aspiration to create the first generation of “Made by Malaysia” chips – designed, developed, and driven from Penang. This achievement is a testament to Penang’s capability to support high-end innovation, further strengthening the state’s position in the global semiconductor value chain, in alignment with the National Semiconductor Strategy.”

This milestone reflects the tangible impact of the PSD@5KM+ initiative in building Malaysia’s capabilities to compete globally in programmable logic solutions, while cultivating home-grown talent and elevating the nation’s role in the international semiconductor ecosystem.

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About InvestPenang       
InvestPenang is the Penang State Government’s principal agency for the promotion of investment. Its objectives are to develop and sustain Penang’s economy by enhancing and continuously supporting business activities in the State through foreign and local investments, including spawning viable new growth centers. To realise its objectives, InvestPenang also runs initiatives like the SMART Penang Center (providing assistance to SMEs), Penang CAT Center (for talent attraction and retention), Global Business Services (GBS) Focus Group (promoting and developing digital economy), and Penang Silicon Design @5km+ (establishing a unique and interconnected ecosystem for IC design and technology enterprises). For more information, please visit https://investpenang.gov.my/ and follow InvestPenang’s social media channels: Facebook; LinkedIn; WhatsApp Channel and TikTok.

About “Penang Silicon Design @5km+” Initiative
The “Penang Silicon Design @5km+” initiative was launched by Penang State Government, through its lead agency, InvestPenang. Aligning with National Semiconductor Strategy, this initiative is a transformative collaboration between government, academia and industry, aims to drive innovation, accelerate the AI revolution and position Malaysia as a leading global force to provide a complete and end-to-end solution. The “Penang Silicon Design @5km+” initiative consists of three key components: (1) Penang IC Design & Digital Park @Bayan Lepas; (2) Penang Chip Design Academy @PSDC; and (3) Silicon Research & Incubation Space @GBS TechSpace. For more information, please visit https://investpenang.gov.my/.

About Silicon X
Silicon X Sdn. Bhd. is Malaysia’s first homegrown FPGA product company, established in 2024 with a mission to pioneer “Made by Malaysia” semiconductors. The company is dedicated to the research, development, and commercialization of proprietary FPGA chips that accelerate digital transformation across key industries, including artificial intelligence, robotic, telecommunication, data center, healthcare, automotive, and industrial automation; driving Malaysia’s rise as a global force in semiconductors and strengthening national self-reliance in advanced chip technologies. For more information, please visit https://www.siliconx.com.my/ and follow Silicon X’s social media channel: LinkedIn.

For media enquiries, please contact:

InvestPenang
Elaine Cheah / Arief Ferdaus
elaine@investpenang.gov.my / arief@investpenang.gov.my
T: +604-646 8833

“Penang Silicon Design @5km+” Initiative
Tun Qurratul Ain / Ong Mee Choo
ain@investpenang.gov.my / meechoo@investpenang.gov.my
T: +604-646 8833

Silicon X
Ng Meng Wah / Esther Cheng
mwng@siliconx.com.my / esthercheng@siliconx.com.my
T: +6019-205 1818 / +6012-304 7990