RIYADH – South Korean AI semiconductor startup Rebellions has launched a Saudi unit in Riyadh, marking a major step in its Middle East expansion and reinforcing its partnership with Aramco. The move comes after Rebellions secured a USD 14.4 million investment from Wa’ed Ventures, Aramco’s venture capital arm.
Founded in 2022, Rebellions develops cutting-edge AI accelerators for data centers, including 5nm chips deployed through its ATOM cards. In 2024, the company also introduced an advanced AI system-on-chip designed to support large language models, reflecting its growing role in powering next-generation AI infrastructure.
The new Riyadh office will function as an operational hub, ensuring stable chip supplies to Aramco while accelerating delivery of Rebellions’ neural processing unit (NPU) products for the energy giant’s AI-driven data centers. CEO Park Sung-hyun emphasized the unit’s strategic role, stating it would serve as “the starting point for our vision to keep up with rising demand for sovereign AI in the region.”
Beyond Aramco, Rebellions is exploring partnerships with Saudi telecom operators and IT firms as the kingdom fast-tracks its AI infrastructure projects. These initiatives are part of Saudi Arabia’s broader push to establish large-scale AI capabilities and strengthen its position as a regional leader in advanced technologies.
Rebellions’ expansion into Saudi Arabia signals its intent to become a core player in the region’s AI ecosystem, providing customized semiconductor solutions while aligning with national strategies for digital transformation and sovereign AI capabilities.
