Saudi-based chip design startup Rimal Semiconductors has secured a bridge funding round from Keheilan Asset Management and an undisclosed regional investor to accelerate the expansion of its chip design operations and strengthen global partnerships. The funding amount was not disclosed.
Founded in 2025 by Houssam Salem, Rimal operates under a fabless semiconductor model, focusing on chip design while outsourcing manufacturing to international foundries. The company currently works with manufacturing partners across Taiwan, Korea, and China, and is in discussions with US-based foundries as part of a broader strategy to diversify its production network.
The newly secured funding will support Rimal’s ambition to build a resilient, globally integrated semiconductor business amid growing geopolitical tensions that are reshaping global supply chains, particularly between the United States and China. By maintaining Saudi ownership of its intellectual property while distributing manufacturing across multiple jurisdictions, the company aims to ensure flexibility and uninterrupted access to international markets.
Rimal’s diversified manufacturing approach positions it to serve a wide range of industries. The startup has already secured early contracts spanning defence systems, power grid infrastructure, and data centre technologies.
In addition, the company is finalising a distribution agreement with a regional distributor covering Turkey, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, and the UAE. The agreement will be supported by local engineering teams providing technical support and implementation services across these markets.
Currently, Rimal has six contracts in the pipeline, including one with a major Egyptian corporation, as it seeks to strengthen its footprint within the global semiconductor supply chain and contribute to Saudi Arabia’s ambitions in advanced technology and strategic industries.
