Syntiant Opens World-Class Manufacturing, R&D Campus In Penang

BUTTERWORTH, Jan 19 (Bernama) -- Syntiant Corp., a global provider of low-power artificial intelligence (AI) solutions, opened its new world-class manufacturing and research and development (R&D) campus in Penang with an investment of US$15 million (RM60.8 million).

Its chief executive officer (CEO) and co-founder, Kurt Busch, said the investment marks a significant expansion of the company’s global footprint and reinforces its long-term commitment to Southeast Asia.

He said the new facility will serve as a key hub for manufacturing and R&D, enabling Syntiant to accelerate innovation, improve customer support, and strengthen collaboration across the semiconductor value chain. 

"The expansion marks a major milestone in Syntiant’s growth in Asia and reinforcing Malaysia’s rising role as a strategic hub for next-generation semiconductor and AI manufacturing.

"Located in close proximity to one of the world’s most advanced microphone manufacturing facilities, the Penang campus positions the company to innovate faster while supporting Malaysia’s growing technology ecosystem," he told reporters after the launch of the manufacturing and R&D campus here, today, which was officiated by Penang Deputy Chief Minister II Jagdeep Singh Deo.

Busch said the new campus more than doubles Syntiant’s footprint in Penang to approximately 220,000 square feet, increasing annual production capacity to around 1.6 billion units. 

The facility brings together production, engineering, and AI research in one roof, supports a workforce of up to 800 employees, and features advanced micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) processing, integrated circuit preparation, as well as test and assembly capabilities. 

He said expansion into Southeast Asia was a strategic decision driven by the region’s strong growth potential, trade connectivity, and access to key markets across East Asia and Oceania. 

Busch added that Malaysia stood out as an ideal location due to its mature semiconductor ecosystem, skilled workforce, and investor-friendly policies, noting that Khazanah Nasional Bhd’s strategic investment in the company reflects a shared dedication to advancing R&D in semiconductors and embodied AI -- key drivers of the shift toward speech as the primary interface.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) CEO Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid said Syntiant’s expansion in Penang is a landmark investment that positions Malaysia at the forefront of next-generation AI and advanced semiconductor innovation. 

He said by anchoring high-value activities such as embodied AI and MEMS processing locally, the facility strengthens technological capabilities, drives innovation-led growth, and creates quality jobs for Malaysian.

“It is a clear vote of confidence from global investors in Malaysia’s talent, infrastructure, and ecosystem, and reinforces our mission to make the country a preferred hub for advanced electronics and high-tech manufacturing,” he said in a statement.

-- BERNAMA