[AVF2026] Changing the conventional wisdom that “semiconductor factories are massive.” Toward a world where anyone can make the semiconductors they want—Hundred Semiconductors has confirmed its participation!

Lifeness Co., Ltd. is hosting the “Ad-Venture Forum,” a career forum for research-driven startups targeting young researchers—including master’s students, doctoral students, and postdocs—has confirmed the participation of Hundred Semiconductors, Inc. The company is tackling the social implementation of small-scale semiconductor manufacturing and small-scale business models through its “Minimal Fab,” an ultra-small-scale semiconductor manufacturing system. Students, graduate students, postdocs, and others who wish to take on the challenge of research and development that will change the world are encouraged to participate in the Ad-Venture Forum to network with the company.

Toward a world where researchers and companies can create the devices they need on their own

State-of-the-art semiconductor factories require massive manufacturing equipment and large-scale capital investment. As a result, the semiconductor industry is fundamentally based on mass production. However, demand is expected to grow in the future for the production of specialized semiconductors—such as those used in research and development, IoT sensors, robotics, precision machinery, and aerospace—in exactly the quantities needed. Hundred Semiconductors is seeking to change this conventional wisdom regarding semiconductor manufacturing. The “Minimal Fab” system the company is working to commercialize is an ultra-small-scale semiconductor manufacturing system that uses tiny wafers approximately 12.5 mm (half an inch) in diameter. By integrating technologies—such as those related to wafers, transistors, integration, MEMS, and advanced packaging—that have been accumulated over many years by organizations including the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), the Minimal Fab Promotion Organization, and numerous companies, the company aims to realize a new approach to semiconductor manufacturing characterized by high variety and low volume.

The Challenge of Building a New Semiconductor Industry

Currently, the company is actively manufacturing and selling 12.5mm-diameter Si wafers and SOI wafers, among other products, while also advancing the development of processes and devices such as pMOS, nMOS, CMOS, MEMS, 2.5D RDL, and TSV. In other words, Minimal Fab is moving beyond the conceptual stage and beginning to transition into an industrial system that actually manufactures semiconductors and delivers them to customers. Furthermore, in July 2026, the Minimal Fab Promotion Organization (a general incorporated foundation) and Hundred Semiconductors were jointly selected to receive a grant from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry’s “Subsidy for Projects Promoting International Rule-Making and Market-Creating Standardization.” We are moving beyond simply popularizing the “Minimal Fab” technology to a stage where we are creating a new market—that of “high-variety, low-volume semiconductors”—through the establishment of international rules and standards.

Leading research and development that makes an impact on society

Based on its “minimal fab” model, Hundred Semiconductors is taking the lead on large-scale R&D projects with a focus on real-world implementation. One such project is “Edge-on-Chip (EoC),” which aims to individually optimize a wide variety of low-volume semiconductors for IoT and automotive applications. EoC is an ultra-compact packaging technology that integrates functions such as sensors, amplifiers, processors, memory, power supplies, and RF transceivers onto a single substrate. It aims to produce a wide variety of energy-efficient semiconductors optimized for specific applications in small batches, with an investment of less than one-thousandth that of a conventional large-scale factory. As part of NEDO’s “Program to Promote R&D and Social Implementation of Energy-Saving Technologies for a Decarbonized Society,” specifically the practical development project titled “Development of an Edge-on-Chip (EoC) Manufacturing Platform,” the company’s CEO, Mr. Imura, is leading the research and development as the Chief Technology Officer. The company is also participating in the “Innovation in 3D Packaging Technology for Semiconductor Devices through the Convergence of Information and Measurement” research project (Principal Investigator: Professor Tsuyoshi Hashishin, Kumamoto University; selected for fiscal year 2024) under the “Innovative Measurement and Analysis” domain of the Japan Science and Technology Agency’s (JST) CREST (Strategic Basic Research Programs). This research focuses on silicon through-silicon vias (TSVs), which are responsible for signal transmission in 3D stacked semiconductors. By combining multiscale measurement data with data science, the project aims to identify the causes of defects and optimize semiconductor manufacturing processes such as RIE, CVD, and electroplating. We aim to demonstrate the results of this research in artificial vision devices and to apply the findings to other semiconductor manufacturing processes.

New Research and Development That Began with a Meeting at AVF

Hundred Semiconductors is also proactive in incorporating new technologies across disciplinary boundaries. At the Ad-Venture Forum in the spring of 2025, we met Hayate Ayuzawa, who is researching “magnetic screws” at Nagoya University, and launched a joint project titled “Fundamental Study of Transport Technology Utilizing Magnetic Screw Linear Motion Mechanisms in Minimal Fabs.” Even if you aren’t researching semiconductors directly, your expertise in fields such as mechanical engineering, materials science, chemistry, physics, electrical and electronic engineering, or control systems has the potential to become the next generation of semiconductor manufacturing technology. At the forefront of national projects, you’ll stand shoulder-to-shoulder with leading researchers from universities, research institutions, and companies, and feel the tangible impact of your research as it leads to real-world applications. That is the excitement of taking on research and development at Hundred Semiconductors. Precisely because we are a small startup, even young researchers can play a central role in projects and use their own hands to create technologies that go beyond mere academic papers and actually reach society. Why not turn your research into the technology that will define the next standard in semiconductor manufacturing?

If you're interested in taking on the challenge of research and development that will change the world, please join the Ad-Venture Forum.

Corporate Web site:https://i-hundred.com/

Discussion Topics

What would you like to achieve with Minimal Fab?

The realization of minimal fab requires the knowledge of various experts. Can you make something like this in a minimal fab? Can your research be applied to minimal fab? We would love to hear about your research, not only in your field, but also outside of your field, as you are passionate about "creating something that doesn't exist in the world"!

Who you want to be a part of

Whether you’re in the humanities or the sciences, as long as you’re enthusiastic, you can take on any challenge. I’d love to have passionate discussions not only with those who want to make their mark in the semiconductor and electronic devices industry, but also with anyone who wants to change or improve the world through manufacturing!

How to participate in the Ad Venture Forum

To apply,this way (direction close to the speaker or towards the speaker)

Sunday, November 22, 2026, 1:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
Location: Center of Garage (COG) 1-16-3 Yokogawa, Sumida-ku, Tokyo
Eligible Participants: Graduate students, postdocs, and other early-career researchers

Contents:
13:00 Opening Ceremony
13:10 Short Session "Ad-Venture way of life to solve global issues
13:25 Short Seminar "The 'QPMI Cycle' to make your 1min self-introduction powerful"
13:30 1min QP presentation by venture companies
14:15 Booth discussion with venture companies

Registration (free of charge) with a ribanes ID is required to attend the event.