“Towards a Semiconductor Unicorn” #19 – Ratel Semiconductor, Standing Out with High-Efficiency, Low-Noise PMICs
October 20, 2025 ・ Dong-jun Kwon
Ratel Semiconductor is a fabless company specializing in power management semiconductors (PMICs), founded in 2023. PMICs are semiconductors that distribute and control power required by electronic devices such as smartphones, PCs, TVs, and automobiles, acting as the “heart” of electronic devices.
With the recent expansion of on-device AI and the electric vehicle market, the importance of PMICs has grown significantly. AI devices that require on-device AI computation need high-efficiency PMICs to reduce power consumption. Additionally, electromagnetic noise generated in electronic products and automotive electrical systems has become a pressing issue—not only can it interfere with device operation, it can also negatively affect the human body.
Ratel Semiconductor has identified a market opportunity here. It is developing PMICs that simultaneously address the increasing power demand of on-device AI and EV markets and the problem of electromagnetic interference (EMI) to create differentiation.
The company’s technical focus is on high-efficiency, low-noise PMICs. It is concentrating its efforts on technologies such as multi-level boost and multi-phase controlled DC-DC converters and smart random spread spectrum to develop high-efficiency and low-noise PMICs. The goal is to minimize power consumption, electromagnetic interference, and heat generation in devices requiring on-device AI.
Ratel Semiconductor is currently developing PMICs for AI-enabled displays and automotive applications. Leveraging its high-efficiency and low-noise technology, the company plans to launch four PMIC products within this year. In addition to manufacturing in major PMIC production hubs in China and Taiwan, Ratel plans to pursue domestic production as well—part of a supply chain stabilization strategy to minimize geopolitical risks.
The company’s technological capabilities and growth potential were recognized early on: within one year of its founding, it secured a total of ₩2.1 billion in seed investment from organizations including the Ulsan Creative Economy Innovation Center, and was selected for the TIPS program by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, receiving ₩500 million in R&D funding.
Ratel has also attracted attention within the industry. Through LG Display’s startup support program “DreamPlay”, it received opportunities for prototype development and commercialization. In March of this year, it attracted strategic investment from Telechips, a company in the automotive semiconductor sector, laying the groundwork for entering the automotive electronics market.
Park Soon-goo, CEO of Ratel Semiconductor, said:
“The importance of power management in electronic devices such as AI devices and electric vehicles continues to grow. Together with talented development personnel, we aim to lead domestic system semiconductor technology, promote domestic PMICs for displays and vehicles, and ultimately grow into a global company that enhances Korea’s semiconductor status.”
