Tsinghua Unigroup's chip subsidiary Unisoc announced plans to secure an additional CNY2 billion (US$448 million) in equity financing, following its earlier CNY4 billion (US$896 million) round. The company's total funding now stands at NT$26.8 billion.
The new investment round, led by Yuanhe Puhua and its founder Chen Datong, aims to accelerate advancements in 5G, satellite communications, automotive electronics, and smart wearables while attracting top-tier talent. Chen, a returning strategic advisor and Spreadtrum Communications founder, emphasized Unisoc's critical role in China's 5G chip ambitions, declaring, "Unisoc must excel and cannot fail."
Industry analysts view Chen's return as pivotal, citing potential improvements in governance and development strategies while attracting strategic funds and bolstering brand recognition.
Unisoc shipped 29 million mobile processors in the third quarter of 2024, a 29% increase compared to the same period last year, ranking fourth globally with a 9% market share. Despite progress, its shipment volumes trail industry leaders MediaTek, Qualcomm, and Apple.
Meanwhile, Huawei-HiSilicon outpaced Unisoc in revenue with US$7 billion in the third quarter of 2024, underscoring Unisoc's need to compete in high-end chip markets. The company continues to pursue financing and prepare for an IPO, aiming to solidify its position in the global semiconductor race.
