Minimum order quantities vary by service type, with flexible options from 5 wafers for prototyping to 25 wafers for production — including Multi-Project Wafer (MPW) programs that allow startups and low-volume customers to access advanced processes affordably.

Wafer Fabrication Minimum Orders

Multi-Project Wafer (MPW) - Lowest MOQ:

• Minimum: 5 wafers (shared run with other customers)
• Typical: 5-20 wafers for prototyping
• Process Nodes: 180nm, 130nm, 90nm, 65nm, 40nm, 28nm available
• Schedule: Monthly or quarterly fixed runs
• Cost: $5K-$100K depending on node and die size
• Best For: Prototyping, proof-of-concept, low-volume production (<1,000 units)
• Lead Time: 8-14 weeks from tape-out

Dedicated Production Runs:

• Minimum: 25 wafers per run
• Typical: 25-100 wafers for initial production
• All Nodes: 180nm to 7nm available
• Schedule: Flexible, customer-specific timing
• Cost: $25K-$425K per run depending on node
• Best For: Production volumes (5K-500K units per run)
• Lead Time: 8-16 weeks from order

Volume Production:

• Minimum: 100 wafers per run (volume pricing)
• Typical: 100-1,000+ wafers per month
• Volume Discounts: 10-30% cost reduction
• Capacity Reservation: Guaranteed allocation
• Long-Term Agreements: 1-3 year contracts with price protection
• Best For: High-volume products (100K-10M units per year)

Packaging Minimum Orders

Wire Bond Packaging:

• Minimum: 100 units (engineering samples)
• Typical: 1,000-10,000 units per run
• Setup Cost: $5K-$20K for new package type (one-time)
• Unit Cost: $0.10-$0.60 depending on package complexity
• Lead Time: 3-4 weeks after wafer delivery

Flip Chip Packaging:

• Minimum: 50 units (engineering samples)
• Typical: 500-5,000 units per run
• Setup Cost: $20K-$50K for new package (bumping + substrate)
• Unit Cost: $1.00-$5.00 depending on complexity
• Lead Time: 4-6 weeks after wafer delivery

Advanced Packaging (2.5D/3D):

• Minimum: 20 units (engineering samples)
• Typical: 100-1,000 units per run
• Setup Cost: $100K-$500K (interposer design, TSV, tooling)
• Unit Cost: $10-$80 depending on complexity
• Lead Time: 6-10 weeks after wafer delivery

Testing Minimum Orders

Wafer Sort:

• Minimum: 1 wafer (engineering evaluation)
• Typical: 5-100 wafers per lot
• Setup Cost: $20K-$100K for test program development (one-time)
• Per-Wafer Cost: $500-$8,000 depending on test complexity
• No minimum for repeat orders once test program developed

Final Test:

• Minimum: 100 units (engineering samples)
• Typical: 1,000-100,000 units per lot
• Setup Cost: $30K-$150K for test program development (one-time)
• Per-Unit Cost: $0.05-$1.00 depending on test time
• No minimum for repeat orders once test program developed

Design Services - No MOQ

ASIC Design Services:

• No Minimum: Project-based pricing
• Scope: From small IP blocks to complete SoCs
• Flexibility: Scale team size based on project needs
• Payment: Milestone-based, not quantity-based

IP Licensing:

• No Minimum: Per-design or perpetual license
• Usage: Use in one or multiple designs
• Royalty Options: Alternative to upfront license fee

Flexible Options for Low-Volume Customers

MPW Programs:

• Share Costs: Split mask and wafer costs with other customers
• Cost Savings: 5-10× cheaper than dedicated masks
• Example: $50K MPW vs $500K dedicated masks for 28nm
• Tradeoff: Fixed schedule, limited die quantity (typically 10-40 die)

Shuttle Services:

• Ultra-Low Volume: Get 5-10 packaged chips for $10K-$50K
• Process Nodes: 180nm, 130nm, 90nm, 65nm, 40nm, 28nm
• Timeline: 12-16 weeks from tape-out to packaged units
• Best For: Research, proof-of-concept, investor demos

Consignment Inventory:

• We Hold Stock: We maintain inventory, ship as you need
• Minimum Production: 100 wafers, but you take delivery in smaller batches
• Payment: Pay for production upfront, no charge for storage (first 12 months)
• Flexibility: Order 1,000 units monthly from 50,000 unit inventory

Volume Scaling Path

Phase 1 - Prototype (5-25 wafers):

• MPW or small dedicated run
• 100-5,000 units delivered
• Validate design, test market
• Cost: $50K-$300K total

Phase 2 - Pilot Production (25-100 wafers):

• Dedicated runs
• 5,000-50,000 units delivered
• Initial customer shipments
• Cost: $200K-$1M per run

Phase 3 - Volume Production (100-1,000+ wafers):

• Regular production runs
• 50,000-500,000+ units per run
• Volume pricing, capacity reservation
• Cost: $500K-$10M+ per run

No MOQ Penalties

Small Orders Welcome:

• No premium for small quantities (within minimums)
• Same quality standards regardless of volume
• Full technical support for all customers
• Access to same processes and technologies

Startup Support:

• Flexible minimums for qualified startups
• Payment terms aligned with funding
• Technical mentorship included
• Path to volume production

MOQ Comparison by Service

How to Start Small and Scale

Step 1 - Prototype with MPW:

• 5-10 wafers, 100-500 units
• Validate design and market
• Investment: $50K-$200K

Step 2 - Pilot with Small Dedicated Run:

• 25-50 wafers, 5K-25K units
• Initial customer shipments
• Investment: $200K-$500K

Step 3 - Production Ramp:

• 100+ wafers, 50K+ units
• Volume pricing kicks in
• Investment: $500K-$2M per run

Step 4 - High Volume:

• 500-1,000+ wafers per month
• Long-term agreements, capacity reservation
• Investment: $5M-$50M annual

Special Programs

Academic/Research:

• Minimum: 1-2 wafers through university MPW programs
• Cost: 50% discount on standard MPW pricing
• Purpose: Research, education, publication

Startup Program:

• Minimum: 5 wafers MPW
• Flexibility: Extended payment terms, milestone-based
• Support: Technical mentorship, investor introductions

Fortune 500 Enterprise:

• Minimum: Negotiable based on relationship
• Flexibility: Custom agreements, capacity reservation
• Support: Dedicated team, priority scheduling

Contact for MOQ Discussion:

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: +1 (408) 555-0100
• Question: "What are the minimum order requirements for my project?"

Chip Foundry Services offers flexible minimum orders to accommodate customers from startups to Fortune 500 companies — contact us to discuss the best approach for your volume requirements and budget.