Gobi Partners Backs SkyeChip to Boost Malaysia’s Semiconductor Growth

Gobi Partners has invested in SkyeChip, a fast-growing Malaysian semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) design firm, to support its expansion and operational needs. The investment, made through Gobi’s regional funds and the Gobi Dana Impak Fund, will help SkyeChip strengthen its talent pool, scale its business, and enhance working capital.

Introduced in 2022, The Gobi Dana Impak Fund is a part of Khazanah’s US$1.36 billion (RM6 billion) initiative to support strategic investments. Based in Penang, SkyeChip operates within Malaysia’s dynamic semiconductor sector, leveraging strong industry backing. Although the exact investment amount has not been disclosed, Gobi Partners’ support highlights confidence in SkyeChip’s growth prospects and Malaysia’s expanding semiconductor ecosystem.

Established by semiconductor veterans Teh Chee Hak and Fong Swee Kiang, SkyeChip specializes in silicon intellectual property (IP) and custom application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). The company develops semiconductor solutions for advanced fields like artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC). With a strong commitment to research and development (R&D), SkyeChip aims to refine its proprietary technologies and expand its reach in the global semiconductor sector.

Gobi Partners’ investment aligns with Khazanah’s Dana Impak mandate, which seeks to support Malaysian companies driving technological innovation and economic resilience. By backing SkyeChip, the fund backs Malaysia’s semiconductor and advanced manufacturing ecosystem, fostering long-term growth and global competitiveness.

The increasing international demand for semiconductor design services, particularly in Southeast Asia, presents a growth opportunity for SkyeChip. The company has built a strong market presence within a few years of its founding, meeting industry needs through continuous innovation. 

Gobi Partners’ investment will provide SkyeChip with the resources needed to accelerate growth, attract top engineering talent, and scale its operations. By expanding its capabilities and market reach, SkyeChip aims to reinforce its position as a key player in the semiconductor sector while contributing to Malaysia’s broader efforts to establish itself as a leader in advanced technology and innovation.

Thomas G. Tsao, co-founder and chairperson of Gobi Partners, highlighted the company’s strong foundation in intellectual property (IP) and integrated circuit (IC) design, crediting founders Fong Swee Kiang and Teh Chee Hak for building a cutting-edge business. Tsao added that Gobi Partners is eager to support SkyeChip as it enters its next growth phase.

Hisham Ibrahim, executive director at Gobi Partners, stated that the investment will help SkyeChip expand its influence and contribute to Malaysia’s semiconductor industry. He supported innovation in the region and expressed confidence in SkyeChip’s role in strengthening Malaysia’s position in the global semiconductor space.