[E-Daily Reporter JAEMIN SONG ] SK hynix is introducing a program to provide upfront funding of up to 50% of its partners’ research and development (R&D) costs and to reimburse those costs based on performance and contribution, even if the development effort fails. The company aims to enhance the competitiveness of the semiconductor supply chain by strengthening support for partners at every stage of growth—from technology development to verification, mass production, and sales.

SK hynix announced on the 29th that it held the “2026 Partners Day” on the 28th to share this win-win cooperation model and detailed support programs.

This year’s event was organized to mark the 25th anniversary of the launch of the SK hynix Shared Growth Council. Approximately 100 company representatives attended, including SK hynix President and CEO Kwak No-jeong, Future Technology Research Institute Director Cha Seon-yong, Head of Mass Production Lee Byung-ki, and other key executives, as well as representatives from Shared Growth Council member companies and outstanding partners in various sectors.

SK hynix is expanding its tailored support by dividing the growth process of its partners into four stages: △technology development, △testing and verification, △mass production, and △sales. During the technology development stage, the company selects promising partners as “technology innovation companies” and provides support in the form of intellectual property and sample materials.

Through the newly introduced “R&D Challenge Reward Program,” the company will proactively provide up to 50% of initial development costs. Even if technology development fails or does not lead to a purchase, the company will settle accounts retroactively based on technical achievements and contributions. The aim is to share the losses resulting from development failures, thereby encouraging partner companies to actively take on high-difficulty technological challenges.

During the testing and verification stages, SK hynix provides precision analysis and reliability evaluations through its Analysis and Measurement Support Center, and also offers partner companies the opportunity to test their products directly on SK hynix’s production lines.

At the Yongin Semiconductor Cluster, SK Hynix is constructing the “Trinity Fab,” a process demonstration facility spanning approximately 3,300 square meters (1,000 pyeong), with a target opening date of 2027. At this facility, partner companies can verify the yield and reliability of their products by utilizing a mass-production-level process environment that would be difficult to establish individually.

During the mass production phase, the company will provide low-interest financing for facility investments through the Shared Growth Fund and expand management consulting services to include second- and third-tier suppliers. During the sales phase, it will operate a mutual benefit payment system and double the size of the supplier payment support fund from 50 billion won to 100 billion won to assist with cash flow management.

During the event, awards were presented to 11 partner companies that achieved outstanding results in four areas: technological innovation, quality improvement, shared growth, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG). A donation of 120 million won, jointly raised by SK hynix and the Council, was presented to the Salvation Army Kettle Campaign Headquarters to support the education and livelihood of young adults preparing for independence.

President Kwak stated, “Over the past 25 years, you have served as a steadfast pillar of support for one another in your respective roles, which is why SK hynix has been able to grow into a global leader in the AI era,” adding, “Let us usher in a new 25-year era of pioneering the future together, building on the trust we have built so far.”